Firm hires: Flint Bishop recruits Freeths' real estate team

Flint Bishop has recruited the real estate team from national law firm Freeths’ Derby office. Janet Rhodes, Sam Shepherd, and Louise Calow, together with two legal assistants, join Flint Bishop's commercial property department.

Rhodes, formerly the head of Freeths' Derby real estate practice, assumes the role of partner and will lead Flint Bishop’s now 18-strong commercial property team. 

Her body of work includes handling multi-million-pound property funding for various portfolios, acting on behalf of both local and national clients and corporates. She has also overseen significant commercial and industrial projects such as care homes, pub company groups, and industrial estates. 

Shepherd, who steps up from director to partner, is recognised as a highly skilled real estate law practitioner with extensive experience in handling property matters including option agreements, acquisitions, leases, disposals, funding, sub-sales, infrastructure agreements, and collaboration agreements. Her expertise lies in commercial development, with a particular focus on brownfield urban development sites. 

Calow joins the firm as a senior associate, bringing extensive experience in commercial and residential acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters, re-finance/banking, and general property affairs. She was appointed as honorary legal advisor to the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust in 2019.

Rhodes commented: 'I am thrilled, along with Sam and Louise, to be joining Flint Bishop at such an exciting time, with the flagship new office having recently been opened and on the back of such a successful last financial year. I am really looking forward to working with such a highly accomplished team of real estate lawyers and support staff and building on the breadth of impressive work, team experience, and client base that Flint Bishop has already established.'

Flint Bishop chief executive Qamer Ghafoor added: 'We are delighted to welcome Janet, Sam, and Louise to our firm. These strategic hires represent a major coup for Flint Bishop, significantly enhancing our capabilities and establishing a stronger presence in the real estate sector. The recent wave of senior-level appointments underscores our commitment to providing exceptional legal services to our ever-increasing client base and further cements Flint Bishop’s position as a leading force in the Midlands region.'