Maintaining an ‘outstanding’ standard of individuals within the practice, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner handles complicated transactions and joint ventures, supplementing its investment expertise with its wider real estate capabilities, including construction, planning and real estate finance. The firm is well-versed in alternative asset classes, handling purpose-built student accommodation, build-to-rent, logistics, and life sciences asset transactions. Nazir Dewji and Samant Narula, who advises private equity real estate funds and international institutional investors, oversee the practice. Within the team, Chris de Pury advises on structured investments and disposals. Adam Bogdanor is an expert in the hotels sector. Celia Berg focuses on residential and student accommodation. Claire Milton is another key member of the practice, well-versed in real estate finance and site acquisitions. Daniel Burnard and Janany Kathirgamanathan made partner in January 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team are technically excellent and provide good commercial advice. The team remains consistent throughout the project, which is essential to avoid having to explain things again.’

  • ‘The standard of individuals who deal with instructions is simply outstanding. They find solutions and make things happen.’

  • ‘Very experienced, large team. Capable of handling all different sizes of transactions.’

  • ‘Well rounded experience - the right balance of detailed and precise combined with commercial pragmatism.’

  • ‘The individuals are knowledgeable and efficient.’

  • ‘Chris de Pury is extremely commercial in all dealings, very pragmatic and direct with advice. A clear thinker and someone you would wish to have on your side.’

  • ‘Adam Bogdanor comes with buckets of experience, which makes his advice and expertise meaningful.’

  • ‘Samant Narula is very well plugged into the UK CRE market.'

Key clients

  • KWAP
  • EDGE
  • Landsec
  • Oxford Properties
  • Tristan Capital Partners
  • The Unite Group
  • Sable Capital Partners
  • The Crown Estate
  • Federated Hermes
  • KKR
  • BlackRock
  • AXA
  • Ares Management

Work highlights

  • Advised Ares Management on the circa £200 million acquisition of eight stabilised logistics assets in England from Royal London Mutual Insurance Society.
  • Advising Tristan Capital Partners on the creation of a £750 million purpose-built student accommodation platform.
  • Advised Landsec on the sale of 1 New Street Square to Chinachem Group, a Hong Kong-based property developer, for £350m.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nazir Dewji, Samant Narula

Other key lawyers

Juliet Thomas, Adam Bogdanor, Chris de Pury, Celia Berg, Claire Milton, Verity Waington, Simon Kenley, Richard Brearley, Daniel Burnand, Janany Kathirgamanathan