Bolstering its hospitality and retail expertise, the ‘efficient, skilled, commercial and diverse’ practice at K&L Gates LLP excels in big-ticket development, investment, and regeneration matters. Head of real estate Christian Major advises institutional funds on the acquisition, letting and management of commercial and residential assets and portfolios. Steven Cox and Joanna Williams thrive in the corporate occupiers arena and often handle landlord and tenant mandates. Williams is also noted for her expertise in property finance. Chiara Del Frate is adept in logistics, restaurant, shopping centre and student housing property mandates, both in the UK and Italy, and ’exceptional’ Tim Webb assists real estate private equity funds. Wayne Smith and Christopher Swallow primarily act for institutional investors, and Emma Maher is another key contact in the group.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The real estate team provide high level legal advice, is multidisciplinary and offers a unique global platform. The team is also commercial and able to anticipate the needs and problems of our business.'
‘The team were very professional and provided excellent advice throughout the complex project.’
‘The leadership and knowledge shown by the individuals was excellent. They were able to help us deal with a very complicated transaction in a very straight forward fashion.’
‘Chiara Del Frate is experienced with an excellent commercial and practical sense. She is a skilled negotiator, very responsive, able to deal with complex cross-border matters, accurate and well organised.’

Key clients

Abrdn Plc
Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
Coty Inc.
Edinburgh St James Limited Partnership
European Estates Plc
Hakkasan
Home House
LRC Group
Nuveen Real Estate
Optiver
Royal Academy of the Arts
Slalom Consulting
The Guinness Partnership
Unity Software
Workspace Group Plc

Work highlights

Advised global super brand Hakkasan on landlord and tenant matters.
Advised Optiver on their new headquarters in London and adapting the space to meet specific requirements.
Advising Slalom Consulting in relation to their expansion across the UK.