Clare Hartley is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate sector group and head of its national Portfolio Management team.  She specialises in all aspects of property litigation with a particular focus on commercial landlord and tenant disputes and telecommunications. During 2021, Clare secured the first High Court summary judgment decision in respect of retailer COVID rent arrears.  This landmark case, Commerz Real Investmentgesellschaft v TFS Stores, confirmed that, despite various statutory restrictions, retail landlords have a viable recovery tool for clawing back outstanding rent that may have accrued throughout the pandemic.  Following this, she has been leading a large commercial rent arrears debt recovery and distressed tenant management project which, with over 500 instructions, has recovered multi-million pound debts in respect of COVID-accumulated arrears for DACB’s landlord clients.

Khurram Shamsee is a partner in DACB’s Employment, Pensions and Immigration Group, as well as Head of Financial Services and London Employment.  Since taking over as Head of London Employment, Khurram has led the evolution of the team into an employment powerhouse, with a particular focus on high-value and complex whistleblowing and discrimination claims.  During 2021 he continued to advise large employers in the financial services, technology and commercial sectors on strategically important matters.      With his strong relationships and extensive experience in the sector, Khurram has been appointed to spearhead the further development of DACB’s financial services capabilities, positioning the firm to provide the full suite of services to banks, asset managers, wealth managers, hedge funds and private equity providers.    

Commenting on Clare and Khurram’s inclusion in the 2022 Hot 100, DACB’s Managing Partner and former Hot 100 nominee David Pollitt said, “I speak on behalf of the whole firm when I say I’m thrilled for Clare and Khurram to be included in this year’s list. “The Lawyer selected this year’s nominees for their excellence and relevance.  Clare and Khurram embody both with their exceptional legal acumen and commerciality and their fingers on the pulse of the issues that matter most to our clients.  I echo The Lawyer’s assertion that they are doing amazing, important work – right now.  Huge congratulations to them both on this honour.”