The Lichfield head office of law firm Keelys LLP is launching a new retail team this month (October) to provide a specialist legal service to retailers and other interested parties across the Midlands.

The service will assist retailers and those with interests in the retail arena in all legal matters relating to business acquisition and business restructuring from the trading of retail units to dealing with manufacturers and others in the supply and logistics chain.

The team at Keelys is made up of senior partners and associates to provide the highest level of expertise and skill sets. It is being led by Paul Harris, Keely’s newly appointed head of insolvency and restructuring.

Other members of the team include head of the corporate department, David Williams; head of the employment department, Paul Roberts and commercial property associate, Jill Briggs.

Specific areas of work involving the team include dealing with formal insolvency events, restructuring events and acting for the purchasers of distressed businesses. They will also be advising lenders and other stakeholders.

Paul Harris said: “We are looking to help retail clients above all but will also be extending our services to a wider audience including insolvency practitioners, directors of distressed businesses, shareholders, lenders and landlords.”