Matthew Smith

I am a Senior Associate Solicitor, and Head of Commercial Property, at David Gray. My main areas of expertise are business sales and purchases, and landlord and tenant matters such as drafting and negotiating leases and licences. My primary interest is in commercial property, while I also have experience of specialist matters such as the variation and release of easements and covenants, Partnership and Shareholder Agreements, and franchising. I am a member of the Commercial Real Estate Legal Association.

Additionally, I do also continue to act in residential property transactions, including in managing portfolios and refinancing, as well as new build purchases. My diverse clients have ranged from GP practices and restaurants, to property investors and first-time house buyers.

Find out more about Matthew in our ‘‘A cuppa with series’‘ exploring a day in the life of Matthew and his team.

I grew up in South Shields, and graduated from Newcastle University with a First Class Joint Honours degree in Politics and History. I qualified as a Solicitor in 2011 and joined David Gray Solicitors in June 2015. Since then, the Property Department at David Gray has experienced considerable expansion and development, including of its commercial aspect, and I was appointed as Senior Associate and Head of Commercial Property in 2021.