Well-versed in advising both domestic and foreign clients, K&L Gates LLP advises on real estate portfolio management, office relocations, and business expansion projects. Christian Major oversees the practice and assists hospitality and financial services sector clients with the acquisition, disposal, development, and letting of commercial and residential assets. Steven Cox concentrates on commercial property work, landlord and tenant matters, and real estate finance, while Chiara Del Frate covers real estate investment, often for luxury retail clients. Christopher Swallow is a key contact within the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team at K&L Gates provides outstanding leadership in a fully integrated way. We appreciate their commercial and proactive approach when it comes to our real estate portfolio and investment and divestment strategies. We appreciate the importance that the team acts on diversity and pro bono and the human quality of the people working for the firm from lawyers to staff.’

  • ‘Chiara Del Frate stands out for her experience with commercial real estate and her ability to deal with complex transactions in domestic and cross border context. She is available even with short deadlines and always responsive. Chiara is a trusted business partner of our business, she cares, is pragmatic, problem solver and delivers an outstanding quality of work.’

  • ‘Very strong team who worked well with each other and we use as clients.’

Key clients

  • Abrdn Plc
  • Coty Inc.
  • Cromwell Property Group
  • Edinburgh St James Limited Partnership
  • European Estates Plc
  • The Guinness Partnership
  • Hakkasan
  • LRC Group
  • Nuveen Real Estate
  • Packaged Living
  • Patrizia AG
  • Slalom Consulting Inc.
  • Unity Software, Inc.
  • Watkin Jones
  • Workspace Group Plc
  • Zephyr X Developments

Work highlights

  • Advising Hakkasan in relation to its portfolio of prominent restaurants in London, including the Yauatcha chain.
  • Advising Unity Software in relation to its UK space requirements across a number of locations in London, Brighton, Southampton, and Stratford upon Avon.
  • Advising Slalom Consulting in relation to its expansion across the UK, which included a complex letting of office space at its headquarters in London Bridge.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Christian Major

Other key lawyers

Steven Cox, Chiara Del Frate, Christopher Swallow