Her arrival marks a significant milestone in the continued build-out of Shoosmiths’ planning team across the UK, following the promotion of Matt Nixon to partner in London and appointment of Steven Stewart as partner in Scotland.

Ms Fitzpatrick joins from Norton Rose Fulbright, where she was a partner and head of planning, and will lead the Shoosmiths’ national planning team, arriving with more than 25 years of experience advising on all aspects of planning law. She brings particular expertise in regeneration and redevelopment, compulsory purchase, high-rise development, energy infrastructure, road and rail, and large-scale multi-use schemes.

Joe Mazzucca, partner and head of real estate, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah to Shoosmiths. Her appointment is a significant step forward in the growth of our planning offering, strengthening our capabilities at a national level and positioning us to support on increasingly complex mandates.”