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 the appointment of Steven Stewart as partner in Scotland. 

Sarah 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.

Sarah has a wide-ranging client base and strong network across mixed-use and residential developers, housebuilders, industrial and freight operators, hotel & leisure providers and major sports organisations. Her strength in compulsory purchase further enhances Shoosmiths’ ability to support complex development, regeneration and infrastructure projects, and expands its capabilities in key sectors including Energy & Infrastructure.

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.

“Sarah’s depth of experience reflects our ambitions to drive growth and deliver outstanding results for clients. As head of planning, Sarah will play a leading role in building out this key pillar of the firm as we progress our ambitious 2030 strategic growth plan.”

Sarah Fitzpatrick said: “I’m delighted to be leading Shoosmiths’ Planning offering, working alongside colleagues like Matt and Steven to build on the excellent work the team is undertaking. The firm’s innovative, forward-thinking approach to client delivery aligns closely with my own practice and leadership style, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s continued growth.”

Sarah’s hire builds on sustained, strategic investment in Shoosmiths’ planning practice. The firm promoted Matt Nixon to partner in March 2026 and added Steven Stewart as a partner in Scotland in September 2025.

Matt heads the London and Southern planning teams, advising on all aspects of planning throughout the lifecycle of developments. Steven leads Shoosmiths’ Scottish planning and environmental team across both contentious and non-contentious matters.