Jake Holmes joins new Shakespeare Martineau hub in Southampton
Law firm Shakespeare Martineau is continuing its expansion in Southampton with the appointment of banking and finance partner Jake Holmes who joins after more than a decade at Blake Morgan.
It comes after the firm secured office space at the University of Southampton Science Park in April this year and expanded into the central south market with the appointment of leading corporate partner James Hawkeswood, who is heading up the firm’s local hub, commercial litigator Paula Swain, and debt and asset recovery team supervisor Ray Welsby.
READ MORE: Shakespeare Martineau sets sights on Southampton expansion
Hawkeswood said: "We are thrilled to welcome Jake to our expanding team as we increase our investment in the Southampton and broader Central South market.
"Jake brings a wealth of regional expertise and a robust network of connections, making him a valuable addition to our firm as we strive to provide unparalleled service and foster growth in the region."
Holmes, who will service a national client base, added: "Having worked in the Solent region for the majority of my career, I know what fantastic businesses there are in this area and what a terrific opportunity there is to work alongside these businesses as their strategic legal advisors as they grow and unlock their potential.
"I have worked opposite Shakespeare Martineau on a number of transactions over the years, and always been impressed with the pragmatic, solutions-orientated approach they have taken; no posturing or grandstanding in front of clients – just people getting on with the task at hand to deliver deals in a commercial manner."
Holmes is ranked in both Chambers and the Legal 500 and specialises in acquisition, real estate, and development finance, particularly within the mid-market and large corporate space.
He regularly advises banks, corporate and individual investors, and other institutional lenders and borrowers across a variety of sectors, including leisure, healthcare and education.
Shakespeare Martineau offers clients access to a 1,200-strong team of experts from hubs across the South West, London, East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and Scotland.
The firm has a track record of growing teams from ground zero, including in Edinburgh where it has grown to a team of ten since its office opened in 2022, and Lincoln, which now has more than 16 legal professionals working from the city since its launch in 2021.
