Steered by projects, real estate, and finance practice head Michelle McGurl, the ‘industry leading’ Osborne Clarke LLP is turned to by numerous leading national investors, developers, contractors and lenders for its expertise in all manner of residential and commercial developments. David North is noted for his expertise in student accommodation matters, working with a litany of developers on high-value corporate deals. A number of global investors turn to international real estate sector head Ian Wilkinson for his capabilities in acquisition and development work, while Colin Stratton is a key port of call for the firm’s residential developer clients. Also specialising in residential development, the ’outstanding’ Steve Schofield serves as relationship partner to various major housebuilders, who turn to him for strategic and transactional support. Other names to note include Adam Hayward, recommended for his broad transactional practice, and Joanna Risdale, whose recent engagements include logistics acquisitions and big-ticket joint ventures.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team are exceptionally adept at communicating across a range of knowledge and experience levels. They are excellent at focussing on the key commercial points for decision makers, turning the pages and walking through the strategy with managers and explaining the process to junior members of staff. They are collaborative, personable, clear and feedback from my team is that they always feel supported and never condescended to by OC. Industry leading, in my view.’
‘Steve Schofield is an outstanding partner that we work with on Option and Hybrid Agreements, in addition the freehold acquisitions. Steve is fundamentally a decent human being, who is responsive, hard-working, clear in his advice, quick to secure external support where required and keeps up with the fast pace we are looking for. '

Key clients

CBRE Investment Management
Warehouse REIT
AEG Presents Limited
British Land
Cubex, Packaged Living and Fiera Real Estate
Mirastar
Vistry Group
St Modwen Properties
Countryside Properties PLC (now Countryside Partnerships PLC)
BDW Trading Limited
Argent
Taylor Wimpey
Places for People
Unite Students
Cornerstone
Greystar
PGIM
DTZ Investors
Crest Nicholson

Work highlights

Advising Countryside Properties (UK) Limited and Sovereign Housing Partnerships Limited on their a 365-acre New Eastern Villages expansion.
Advising British Land across all their asset classes including Logistics, Living and Retail.
Advising BDW in relation to Project Zero, a plot disposal and estate management documentation venture.