Click for email address https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/uk
One Whitehall Riverside
Leeds, LS1 4BN
United Kingdom
Phone: 07966324347
Claire Wilkinson
A Member of the Law Society of England and Wales
Partner - Head of Hotels (Europe)
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Industry Specialty
ad valorum / real estate tax
corporate board / governance
strategic planning
design & construction management / project management
development services
turnkey development services
franchise expertise
organizational development
training
legal advice
management contract negotiation
research
purchasing
asset management
receivership
risk management
acquisition / disposition / brokerage
due diligence
workouts & restructurings
Sectors
arenas
bed & breakfest
boutique hotels
casinos
concessions
conference centre / convention centres
convention hotels
destination casino resorts
destination resorts
extended stay hotels / corporate apartments
family entertainment centers
full service hotels
golf
green hotels
holiday villages
independent hotels
institutional food and beverage
limited / select service hotels
marinas
private clubs
resort mixed use developments
restaurants (full, quick and limited service)
spas
tennis
time share & interval ownership
tourism / destination management
urban mixed use development
water parks
Speaker Topics
bed and breakfast inns
boutique hotels
consumer trends
franchising
legal considerations for the hospitality industry
management contracts
privatization
real estate
workouts and turnarounds
Geographic Areas
England, Wales and Scotland
Speaking Engagements
I regularly speak at conferences and seminars in Europe (e.g. MIPIM and IHIF) and North America. I also provide bespoke training to address specific client needs.
Mission Statement
To be a leading source for legal hospitality expertise.
Expertise
WBDs range of hospitality services include: • hotel acquisitions and sales • hotel management agreements • facilities management • litigation advice • financing • corporate advice for structuring acquisitions • construction advice for development and refurbishment • planning • commercial contracts, • payment services and data protection advice • franchising • employment and health and safety • commercial and property litigation • tax planning for owners.
Past Experience
My experience includes leading negotiations for the management, acquisition, financing, development and disposal of hotels, spas, restaurants and mixed use projects throughout England and Wales. The majority of my work has been in the budget sector, advising on schemes anchored by Premier Inn or Travelodge. I also lead negotiations in specialty areas such multi-jurisdictional portfolio disposals/acquisitions, Hotel Management Agreements, Company Voluntary Arrangements and other insolvency led restructurings, car park licensing arrangements and contracts with food and beverage providers. Longstanding relationships and client satisfaction are at the heart of what I do. I go out of my way to learn the nature of my clients’ businesses and to understand the sector-specific issues that they face so that I can support their growth by providing practical, targeted advice and support and deliver clear, effective solutions to often complex legal challenges.
Education
1. The University of Wales (LLB); 2. Northumbria Law School (LPC - Distinction); and 3. University of the West of England Commercial Property Diploma in Advanced Legal Practice (LLM - Distinction).
Professional Memberships
The Law Society of England and Wales
Representative List of Clients
My clients include owners, investors, occupiers, managers, franchisees, agents, developers and lenders. I advise global, regional and national hoteliers across all , serviced apartment operators and leisure and sports operators. I also advise organisers and developers of venues for major sporting events, including Stadiums and the Olympics.
Articles and Publications
http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/300031/What-does-Thomas-Cooks-collapse-mean-for-the-industry https://www.womblebonddickinson.com/uk/insights/articles-and-briefings/hotel-management-agreements-post-covid-19-new-world