Hospitality and leisure

The hospitality and leisure industry is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing sectors, facing a wide range of complex and evolving challenges. We have deep sector expertise, advising a broad spectrum of participants across the industry, including global multinational hospitality management companies, owners, investors, developers and funders. 

Our global, cross-practice hospitality team regularly assists clients in navigating all aspects of the sector, including high-value M&A transactions, complex disputes, construction and real estate matters, negotiation of hotel management and franchise agreements (including residences), hospitality financing arrangements, and investment exits. 

As a global legal powerhouse with transatlantic and transpacific capabilities, our market leading lawyers are uniquely placed to navigate clients through complex hospitality issues across all major global markets. Our expertise includes advising on: 

1. Major international arbitrations and litigation, including applications for urgent interim relief and instructions dealing with complex contractual issues relating to recovery of unpaid fees, mismanagement, wrongful termination, insurance and competition / IP issues; 
2. corporate and commercial matters, including contested takeover bids and the negotiation of management agreements and franchise agreements (including branded residences); 
3. hospitality and leisure-related finance, including initial public offerings, convertible bond offerings, and lending-based work; 
4. real asset investment and development, including complex planning regulations and state aid guidelines, management contracts, operating agreements, structuring and financing;
5. employment and workforce matters, including contentious, transactional and advisory support across the employment lifecycle, from senior hires and incentivisation to restructurings, business transfers and workplace investigations and disputes;
6. competition, regulatory and trade matters, including transactional, investigatory and dispute support across antitrust, merger control, market investigations, compliance and consumer protection issues, with particular experience advising on complex cross-border matters; and
7. cybersecurity and data protection including cyber insurance coverage disputes.

In addition, we have extensive experience in the aviation industry having worked across all aspects of airport projects, representing all types of clients, including advising infrastructure owners and operators, institutional investors, airlines, airport sponsors, financiers, government authorities and contractors on the complexities and nuances of aviation projects, and related disputes. For further information, please visit our aviation sector page.

If you would like to discuss any hospitality issues, please get in touch with your usual contact or reach out to our specialist team at: [email protected]