Commercial Contracts
Commercial lawyers advising on all aspects of contractual work, from drafting to negotiation, supporting our clients’ day-to-day operations and tackling complex projects.
Jo Kelly
Partner
About
I am a construction lawyer with over 25 years of experience acting for developers, investors, funds, and contractors. I’ve acted on residential, commercial, and student accommodation schemes, including forward-funded and debt-financed schemes. My practice includes advising on JCT, FIDIC, and NEC, consultant appointments, and warranties.
I’ve spent my entire career working in the construction industry. I love collaborating with developers, architects, engineers, project managers, and contractors to develop or redevelop assets that will be around for a very long time and will change the look and feel of a place.
In construction, there are many documents, particularly if funders are also involved. You need a team of lawyers who can manage the documents and negotiate them efficiently and commercially. My approach to negotiation is collaborative. I seek to find the middle ground and try, where possible, to accommodate the other side’s position while also holding firm on the key issues for the client.
I also get involved in disputes and dispute avoidance, so I understand the issues that are likely to become contentious when I’m drafting the contract. This insight is invaluable. I have experience in mediation, adjudications and TCC proceedings.
Outside of work, I enjoy running (although trying for PBs is so much harder these days!) and very slowly learning to play the piano.
Awards
Client Award 2018 – outstanding service to clients.
Experience
- Acting on multiple forward funded residential schemes for Telford Homes at Battersea, Wandsworth, Brentford ranging from 1000 unit schemes to 200 units.
- Acting for Big Yellow across its multiple self-storage sites preparing the construction documents for appointment of its contractors and consultants.
- Acting for Saracens in the redevelopment of its East and West stands.
- Acting for an institutional developer in a dispute involving defective cladding at one of its sites, multi-party action against its professional team.
- Acting for Shiva Hotels across its multiple development sites in London including its sites at Marylebone Lane (BoTree), Great Marlborough Street/Poland Street and City Temple Quarter.
Expertise
Our Team
Paul Airley
Partner
Matt Akers
Partner
Olivia Bateman
Partner
Andrew Bessemer Clark
Partner
Christian Charles
Partner
James Earl
Partner
John Evans
Partner
Nathan Evans
Partner
Ed Fuller
Partner
Simon Goldring
Partner
Ravi Goonesena
Partner
Alex Haffner
Partner
What our clients say
Joanne's advice is very balanced and factual. She fully understands the commercial drivers and the contracting process to a very high degree.
What our clients say
Jo is very diligent, practical and knowledgeable, plus her interpersonal skills are very good.
What our clients say
She is really responsive and thorough. She gives excellent client service and is extremely user-friendly.
What our clients say
Joanne Kelly is outstanding and excellent in every way. Very approachable, a great negotiator and superb technical lawyer.
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