Property finance in London

‘Top-tier firm. Excellent technical knowledge and very deep market knowledge. They operate very efficiently but without any reduction in the quality of service or responsiveness.’

‘They have great depth in practice and the right balance in terms of strong experienced partners and dynamic hardworking young partners and associates. There are only a few firms that can genuinely deliver large pan-European complicated deals and A&O lead the pack. Their strength in Europe is standout and their ability to project manage multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional matters is key. The team also benefits from experience not only in property finance but leverage, corporate and restructuring matters, with multiple partners experienced in more than one of these areas. If a deal has a hybrid element – which is becoming more and more common – this team is very well placed to do this work and well. In addition to having the knowledge and market experience to assist clients at all levels, they are also very commercial, approachable and good at relationships.’

‘I have known the team a long time but they consistently perform at a high standard. I have the utmost confidence in their expertise, knowledge and capacity to get a transaction done within a tight timescale.’

‘What stands out is the breadth and depth of the team. By far and away the best in terms of expertise, client service and commercial advice.’

‘David Oppenheimer’s star continues to rise. He is simply a great lawyer. He has the right balance of technical excellence, commercial acumen and approachability. Both the commercial teams and the in-house lawyers love working with him. Peter Mailer is one of the best lawyers we have worked with technically and one of the most approachable. He makes complex matters understandable for clients. Peter has a strong future ahead of him. David Varne is a very impressive lawyer. His presence leading on some of the largest pan-European commercial real estate financings over the last few years makes him stand out.’

‘David Oppenheimer and Simon Roberts have been the lead partners for all our transactions so far. They have always provided top-quality advice when required.’

‘Mark Manson-Bahr is truly exceptional. He reads every word, sweats the detail but is commercial and gets the job done with minimum fuss and drama. Always comes in on cost. Best value in the City.’

‘Peter Mailer is very commercial. He provides pragmatic solutions, has excellent technical knowledge, and is very responsive.’

‘A skilled and knowledgeable team who are always willing to go above what is required and available any time when needed.’

‘When it comes to executing a real estate finance deal, the strength and depth of the BCLP team is second to none.’

‘The team has great strength in depth at both partner and associate level. They are very responsive and give high-quality commercial advice.’

‘BCLP know their business inside out. Not only the law, but what lenders are in the market and what the current commercial terms are. A very commercially astute practice.’

‘The team is very experienced, particularly in relation to real estate transactions, which is invaluable given the increased complexity of such transactions.’

‘Daniyal Ansari pulls together the team and has respect on both sides of a deal in order to provide workable solutions.’

‘Daniyal Ansari is a class act – technically excellent, innovative, committed and commercial. His ability to get people around a table and agree a way forward is very impressive.’

‘Naveen Vijh is very commercial and knowledgeable. He handles any unforeseen matters in transactions very well and overall transaction management is excellent.’

‘Great support from a well-resourced, experienced and commercial team. Quick responses and excellent advice in fast-moving situations is key to us as a team and we get that from AG.’

‘The team is exceptional in the service they provide. The insights and the different relationships that we were introduced to were evidence of how good the team was. The feedback and the advice we have received was of the utmost professionalism and had the client’s best interests in mind.’

‘The team are very inclusive and very hands-on from partner to associate levels. The level of engagement occurs across the seniority bands. The team has a varied and deep knowledge of real estate (encompassing the finance and property aspects), having acted for borrowers and lenders in bilateral, syndicated and corporate capacities. This experience spans the development and acquisition/investment finance side. As a result of their depth of knowledge, negotiations on legal documents and structuring are made more efficient and collaborative since they are familiar with the perspective of both lender and borrower. Overall, communication and case management are great.’

‘Sarah Egbu is very easy to deal with. With a strong team behind her she is available when required to assist with matters. Sarah has been incredibly helpful over the years in concluding some challenging deals. I really like the commercial approach that Sarah applies to the challenges being faced.’

‘Neil McGibbon is incredibly knowledgeable and commercial when dealing with matters. I enjoy working with Neil as when issues arise we work through them in a logical manner, considering all the risks before deciding on an appropriate course of action.’

‘Paul Salsbury remains technical, pragmatic, realistic and commercial in his approach. He is market-facing and mindful of the key issues facing lenders and borrowers alike.’

‘Zoe Maurer provided excellent client service. She couples a keen eye for detail with a sound commercial interpretation to inform pragmatic positions being taken on commercial sticking points. Zoe is very responsive, supporting us throughout to ensure that critical deadlines were hit.’

‘Zoe Maurer is an excellent partner, highly experienced and leads transactions very well. A calm head with steel when it is required.’

‘The team have a great understanding of real estate and the key points which are important to lenders.’

‘Very commercial. Strength in depth, with senior associates who are very strong as well as at partner level.’

‘Experienced team with strong capabilities across all real estate sectors. A cohesive team with appropriate staffing. Partner engagement throughout with strong support by senior associates.’

‘An experienced team that is well supported, able to meet timelines efficiently and looks to provide pragmatic and solution-oriented advice.’

‘Andrew Flemming is very practical and has a calm authority.’

‘Jo Solomon is commercial, concise and clear.’

‘The Linklaters London real estate finance team delivers exceptional work on every transaction. Their knowledge of the market, new legal developments and commercial application of those make them a very much trusted adviser. Not only are they a safe pair of hands, but they consistently push the best outcome, while delivering timely and exceptional quality work, for us.’

‘A solutions-oriented team, not just pointing out what the issues are.’

‘Very commercial approach to the way transactions are approached, with a very solutions-oriented focus.’

‘Scott Simpson is our go-to partner for real estate finance at Links – he is incredibly knowledgeable and very commercial. He is amazing in tough negotiations and just simply gets the job done. It’s clear that his team love working for him and it’s really fun to have him working alongside you. Scott has particular strengths in inter-creditors and pan-European deals.’

‘Scott Simpson and Philip Gore are my go-to for any transaction. They are truly trusted advisers. They are exceptional at balancing a no-nonsense and pragmatic approach with top-level legal and market knowledge.’

‘Steve Smith has an ability to go to heart of the issue.’

‘James Godfrey is great to work with and has a breadth of experience.’

‘The team is very well organised and very well managed. The team has a strong knowledge of the law and the real estate market. They always deliver excellent value and provide invaluable answers to difficult commercial or legal questions. They are extremely diligent, very quick, always thinking ahead and very solution driven.’

‘What’s unique about this team is that they understand what matters commercially and flag that to us to pay attention. Very attentive to details and good follow-up on outstanding documents/items.’

‘An extremely competent and well-coordinated deal team across all disciplines, Mayer Brown take a pragmatic, focused and commercial view in their advice and that is why we continue to use them on our most complex transactions.’

‘Fast responses, professional advice given for the protection and best interests of the client, willing to work hard and around the clock to suit the client’s tight time schedule.’

‘Andrew Hepner and Annabel Ersser are excellent lawyers, with strong knowledge of the industry – they are very solution driven, with excellent communication and management skills.’

‘I work mostly with Annabel Ersser and Andrew Hepner. They’re very attentive and commercial. Annabel helps collaborate with various parties, which centralises a lot of discussions, making the process easier. Andrew has many suggestions on commercial points.’

‘Andrew Hepner and Annabel Ersser are an established team in the real estate finance space and their extensive experience allows them to cut through the noise of the deal and focus on the true risks and commercial implications in their advice. We have worked with them for years and will continue to do so as our preferred legal advisers.’

‘Familiar with client needs and views through deals transacted before, and cope with all sorts of new banking compliance and requirements in a very tight timeline set upfront. Can mobilise various parties to cope with complicated transactions.’

‘One of the best real estate finance teams.’

‘We love working with the team. Great group.’

‘The team are particularly strong and lead from the front. Great deal management and understanding of what needs to be done. Clear, confident advice from with minimal partner visibility required due to confidence in the team.’

‘Sarah Watkinson is excellent.’

‘Having worked with the banking and property team on a regular basis, they are easy to work with, take care of matters diligently and get the job done. The banking team are continually on top of things, with James Irvine always looking after our interests but, at the same time, retaining a commercial approach to get the deal done. The property team always seem to get the job done, dealing with issues before they reach me so limited input is often required.’

‘Highly commercial with the ability to pull in the wider expertise of the firm when required.’

‘Simon Tweedle is one of the most commercial and helpful real estate finance lawyers in the market. I will use him as a sounding board on wider matters as well as the deals he is appointed on.’

‘The team has a strong knowledge of the law and the real estate market. They always provide invaluable answers to difficult commercial or legal questions. The team is very well organised and very well managed, solution driven, efficient and transparent.’

‘Strong knowledge of clients’ needs, reliability, professional setup and excellent work quality, not overpriced, friendly and commercially thinking people.’

‘The partner involvement and breadth of experience speaks to the advantages of having DLA Piper as our legal counsel. I have lawyers in various jurisdictions all across Europe and DLA’s service and commitment to providing us with the best service has been second to none. The level of detail that DLA goes into is above and beyond expectations, is delivered with great communication and is always timely. I have pushed DLA many times to deliver some urgent matters and no matter the timeline I am always greeted with professional, complete and detailed advice.’

‘The commitment to excellent client service stands out in this firm. Once a relationship is built, DLA maintains that relationship going forward. Toby Barker has come through for my company time and time again as we have been presented with challenging milestones this past year, navigating through the financial difficulties that Covid-19 has presented. Being able to know you can revert to someone and get the right answer the first time is an invaluable resource to have.’

‘Toby Barker is very responsive, friendly and a professional partner with a great understanding of his client’s needs. He thinks commercial and does not show off in meetings like other firm’s partners do.’

‘Excellent financing team that really feels like an extension of our own execution capability. Extensive knowledge of the applicable areas and a full service from start to finish of each transaction. An invaluable resource.’

‘Andy Barker provides exceptional client coverage and really excels in ensuring every aspect of the relationship is covered.’

‘Luke Johnson and Matt Trafford are both fantastic resources to have involved in closing financings – extremely diligent and knowledgeable, and generally great to work with.’

‘I think the K&E team is truly exceptional. They provide the perfect combination of sector expertise, market knowledge, commercial approach and deal savvy to drive the best outcomes for their clients. The scope of their experience and presence in the market is also extremely helpful given they represent many of the top sponsors and have negotiated financing transactions with all major lenders, therefore, they know how to drive to the most efficient outcome. I wouldn’t use anyone else, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.’

‘My overall impression of K&E’s team is very strong. Having worked with a number of Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms in the past, K&E is a cut above. Their lawyers have no ego, and they are particularly adept at identifying the commercial issues that matter to their clients and finding solutions to pertinent issues. They have an incredible track record of working with financial sponsors, and their responsiveness, accuracy and tenacity is second to none.’

‘Very efficient and highly knowledgeable in their field. Exceptional commercial understanding which helps to identify and prioritise the key aspects of our transactions.’

‘I have worked very closely with Kazik Michalski and his team over the past 24 months and I don’t think our transaction would have completed without him. He’s extremely diligent, thorough, creative, and commercial.’

‘I have a particularly high opinion of Kazik Michalski, and he is undoubtedly the best finance lawyer I have ever worked with. Kazik’s unique combination of sharp intellect and deal intuition makes him an indispensable part of our legal advisory team on large and complex deals.’

‘Jonathan Birks is a standout lawyer; he displays excellent technical skills and commercial pragmatism in equal measure. His ability to remain calm and genuinely good-humoured in the midst of the deal is particularly impressive and much appreciated.’

‘Jonathan Birks is absolutely fantastic. He is extremely knowledgeable both on the law and the market, and very hardworking but also very down to earth and accessible.’

‘Usman Khan is highly responsive and surprisingly relaxed, irrespective of time pressures.’

‘Macfarlanes LLP’s team is really business oriented and very efficient on legal issues. They have a strong and resilient client base and they know their clients’ requests and goals very well.’

‘Technically excellent, responsive and old school, in a good way.’

‘Excellent depth of commercial real estate transactions.’

‘Very reliable and safe pair of hands.’

‘Laura Bretherton and Jat Bains are great to deal with and highly competent.’

‘Very thorough and knowledgeable, whilst also being down to earth and approachable.’

‘Colin Morgan is a smart, commercially focused, responsive lawyer. Extremely experienced and knowledgeable about the family office sector. Very pleasant to deal with.’

‘Dan Metcalfe takes an active role on all transactions and always makes himself available for commercial discussions and negotiations, bringing his many years of experience to bear for the client’s benefit. The team is able to work fast without sacrificing attention to detail when required to meet tight deadlines. They have made increasing use of technology, particularly in the conditions precedent space.’

‘Their partner engagement, client management, knowledge and technical capabilities are outstanding. Clear fee arrangements and periodic WIP billing updates engender confidence in project controls and efficiency of service. Norton Rose made the legal elements of our transaction feel effortless – their advice was always clear, very timely and document reviews were controlled with well-managed and quickly resolved issues lists. A fantastic experience and a top class adviser.’

‘The team are excellent. They go above and beyond to get the deal done and have done a number of extremely difficult deals for us in the past year.’

‘A full-service real estate practice, with direct access to partners who run all elements of the transaction.’

‘Sarah Cullen is an absolute superstar. Highly responsive, very commercial and everything you want in a real estate finance lawyer.’

‘Jennie Dorsaint is a strong partner, is able to work across Europe on transactions with ease, and always manages the entire end-to-end process in order to ensure delivery on time and in a cost-effective manner.’

‘Sarah Cullen is clear, incisive, smart, collegial, patient and highly commercial in approach. She is an exceptional lawyer, with great poise and a very calm and friendly demeanour. Sarah knows exactly what needs to be done and ensures a crisp execution and excellent client management. She also manages her team incredibly well and invisibly, so her associates are empowered and similarly competent and her clients benefit from her close behind the scenes oversight and careful management of key commercials.’

‘Jennie Dorsaint is pragmatic and commercial, has great client knowledge and is cool-headed. She has exceptional knowledge of complex structures.’

‘Excellent real estate and related finance knowledge. Excellent deal management.’

‘Very responsive and very client focused.’

‘Extensive knowledge and experience across the sector and throughout the capital stack. Detail-oriented but highly commercial and pragmatic. Jeffrey Rubinoff and his team were essential partners in helping us close a large hospitality financing on a tight timetable.’

‘Great and consistent advice and service.’

‘Jeffrey Rubinoff speaks fluent real estate finance. He brings a sense of calm and composure to deal negotiations and is a thoroughly likeable person to do business with.’

‘Victoria Landsbert is very responsive and highly technical. She has good communication and she takes a pragmatic, commercial approach. She goes the extra mile for clients.’

‘Aparna Sehgal’s finance team at Dechert is quick and efficient, and provides advice to the point across multiple jurisdictions. They have a hands-on approach but are also commercially minded. It is also good fun to work with them.’

‘Aparna Sehgal is a brilliant lawyer, probably one of the best when it comes to highly complex structured financing situations. She is also good fun to work with and always reachable.’

‘It is a pleasure working with Aparna Sehgal: she is a legal professional who sorts the wheat from the chaff and remains focused on the bigger picture, without losing a grasp of the detail if that explodes into a more strategic point. She allows her team room to shine and it shows in their interactions with me as their client, which leads to an efficient allocation of legal resource to the task at hand. Her manner is calm under fire and patient when explaining complex points.’

‘Really felt that we were valued as a client. The partner-level engagement was amazing. The team took incredible time and care to get to know and understand our team. Quite an incredible experience, especially during the Covid crisis.’

‘Great team to work with. Always innovative and proactive.’

‘Extremely accessible and approachable.’

‘We have worked very closely with the Fieldfisher team for several years now and the standout feature of their service is the way we collaborate. There is no “them and us” distinction. Rather, we operate as one team across the project, with Fieldfisher seamlessly integrating with our team and vice versa. It is an extremely efficient way of working and ensures clear lines of communication. I think of the Fieldfisher people as trusted members of our team, rather than external advisers.’

‘Jayne Backett took real care to build the relationship with the team and always made herself available when needed. She also had a great rapport with the borrower’s legal counsel. It was a really positive working relationship.’

‘Iain Thomas’ expertise in real estate came through very strongly and gave us a great deal of confidence in making decisions.’

‘They are good at structuring non-conventional transactions efficiently and reasonably cost effectively to get the required result. They resource the job to get it done on time.’

‘Great team to work with. Always innovative and proactive.’

‘Great knowledge and experience.’

‘Extremely accessible and approachable.’

‘Strong partner-led team. Richard Semple is a strong hire with good client contacts and excellent knowledge of the market.’

‘Richard Semple has deep market knowledge and an understanding of the key drivers for us on the client side during the life of a deal, not just at origination.’

‘I really rate the property finance team and think they provide sound commercial advice and a one-stop shop for our work, with good support from the planning, real estate and construction teams. Mishcon are notable for being ahead of the curve on the IT and AI products available to their clients, which increases efficiency and reduces costs.’

‘A comprehensive and broad set of knowledge and contacts.’

‘We have found MDR to be extremely responsive and able to hit very tight deadlines.’

‘Nick Strutt is a good relationship partner and is well assisted by Sarah Spurling, who was also made up from a legal director to a partner this year and is technically very able and one of our preferred lawyers. Sarah also helps us with other more general topics such as ESG and LIBOR transition.’

‘Nick Strutt understands all there is to know about real estate finance but more importantly he understands all there is to know about our business too. Nick’s ability to make the most complicated matters simple and provide commercial, sensible advice has proven invaluable over a long period of time.’

‘We have been hugely impressed by their experience, professional diligence and practical approach to commercial issues raised during lending cases. All staff are very approachable and maintain strong dialogue during the legal process – it’s as smooth and efficient as I have ever experienced. Their holistic approach to problem solving is refreshing and, allied to the depth of the team’s property law expertise, makes the complex very straightforward. They are very open and upfront on billing and never go over the clock without discussions and agreement, which is refreshing in the industry.’

‘We have a longstanding great working relationship with the partners and senior associates at OC. The team are very responsive and offer good value for money.’

‘Overall the team has morphed from completing a very large, complex real estate deal to being adviser of choice in regard to real estate and family office legal requirements in full. They are our planned legal partners for all future transactions.’

‘Value, clarity of understanding and ability to execute within tight timescales.’

‘Very collaborative and experienced team. Highly recommended.’

‘The key partner is Madeleine Clark. She has led by example and guided her team and co-teams in other jurisdictions to ensure we have the best seamless solutions for our transactions, which have not been easy. She has really showed her ability to stand by the client and help them move forward.’

‘Nick Padget is not just an experienced and capable real estate finance lawyer, he takes time to understand the client’s objective and always delivers a personal and bespoke outcome for the client, ensuring that complexity is simplified and all options are well considered and advised on. He is available whenever needed to provide his expert guidance when things aren’t on track. It is clear he inspires his team as all come with the same “can do” and “it’s personal” attitude, delivering well beyond expectations. From our perspective Nick and his team are an integral part of the transaction.’

‘Slaughter and May have always taken the time to understand our business and our needs. They have excellent resources and are always able to meet tight deadlines and resolve any complex issues.’

‘Matthew Tobin has always provided an exceptional service. Matthew is always available, thorough and incredibly knowledgeable. He understand our business and adds value to every transaction.’

‘Very good to work with on transactions, due to their experience and knowledge. Always ensure they explain the risk of accepting/rejecting points and provide their recommendation.’

‘Provide useful, relevant and pragmatic advice, based on experience and not just knowledge.’

‘Very professional and personable at the same time.’

‘Jon Proctor is adaptable to dealing with different types of customers. Always takes the time to talk points through and is very commercial. As well as giving his thoughts, he always comes up with solutions too.’

‘Very knowledgeable and commercial. Particular expertise in the hotel sector.’

‘James Salford is very good at breaking issues down and resolving them. Incredible breadth and depth of knowledge with real insight into the hotel sector.’

‘The team at Burges Salmon is very experienced, demonstrated by the variety and quality of deals they work on and the commercial approach taken in relation to the advice they give.’

‘Consistent and commercial and a pleasure to work with.’

‘They know their clients well and are a real pleasure to work with. I would particularly recommend Katie Allen and Richard Leeming.’

‘Their ability to act in a collegial way to find solutions to complex real estate matters is second to none.’

‘Extremely commercial and give genuine opinions, rather than sitting on the fence.’

‘Very comprehensive and prompt advice and assistance. We have used CRS for a number of years and they understand our requirements and work very effectively with us.’

‘Jon Bond is always available to discuss and provide guidance on all matters related to real estate finance.’

‘Billing transparency and very competitive fee quotes notwithstanding high levels of partner engagement.’

‘The team is joined up, experienced and pragmatic. They have a sensible approach to fees and billings and are always committed to the wider, continuing relationship.’

‘Very professional, with excellent customer service and experience, good market knowledge and clear advice. They are also very forthcoming and willing to offer guidance for every step of the process, i.e. also at the general enquiry stage.’

‘Punch above their weight for their size and position in the market. Client-focused as they take the time to get to know their clients and tailor their approach accordingly. Reasoned and pragmatic advice, which is easy to digest. Responsive and efficient.’

‘Each member of the team faces challenges with good humour and patience. Nothing is too much trouble or effort. Dean Gormley on the banking side leads a team with cheer.’

‘Annabelle Redman is very knowledgeable and in my opinion on top of her field of expertise. She is my go-to person if I encounter unusual sets of circumstances or complex transactions. Response times are quick and she regularly goes the extra mile to provide a very good and personal service.’

‘This team is well organised and responsive and covers the whole range of property issues.’

‘Exceptional personal service and out of hours contact when needed.’

‘They are a close-knit team who work very well together, providing trusted advice and sound reasoning. Their energy and collaboration remains fresh with every deal and their guidance is invaluable. Their key strength is working for the client, providing solutions to difficult scenarios and meeting time-critical deadlines.’

‘Farrer takes a pragmatic approach. The firm is good at providing the bank with regular updates and making helpful suggestions to enhance security and manage risk.’

‘A personal approach, and practical and commercial advice.’

‘Very knowledgeable team, easy to work with and committed.’

‘All the team deserve recognition. They always make themselves available and are quick to respond to enquiries. They are proactive in their approach and very personable to work with.’

‘The team works very well together. Key values include breadth of knowledge and responsiveness.’

‘Quick to understand the requirements and to find solutions to problems.’

‘Excellent at progressing loan documentation. Great knowledge and commercial views. Overall, deals require less input from our side and transactions are more efficient.’

‘What makes this team unique is they combine expertise and knowledge with a great personal touch and really understand both their work and their clients. They are professional, completely tuned in to the client’s specific needs and always a pleasure to deal with.’

‘A key positive is that when an issue arises or a decision is required, they provide advice and guidance rather than simply requesting us as the client to make a decision. We receive the benefit of their knowledge and understanding of the sector and similar transactions.’

‘Richard Williams is a brilliant lawyer and is able to offer pragmatic and commercial solutions in order to ensure a successful transaction is achieved. He has grown his team and has gone from strength to strength, bringing in some high-profile clients for the firm over the last few years. Helen Jones is also a very capable and technically strong member of the team.’

‘Chris Freeston has a perfect balance of technical expertise and commercial acumen.’

‘I have worked with both Richard Williams and Ed Hall. Richard is an excellent lawyer but also very personable and down to earth and I can see why he wins and retains clients. Ed is easy to deal with and is a very good lawyer. They are both very good communicators.’

‘Highly commercial and personable team.’

‘The team is very efficient and keeps abreast of the latest developments in the market. They are able to explain legal matters and documentation in a simple and clear manner. Katten’s fee level is also competitive in the market.’

‘Kumar Tewari’s experience in the banking industry enables him to understand the challenges faced by the banks and provide practical solutions on these issues. He also has a great network in the banking and legal industry.’

‘Excellent banking lawyers and true experts in the field of real estate finance given the firm’s unrivalled credentials in all things property. Trowers has real estate in its DNA and its banking and finance team reflects this. This is a real USP for us. Also, we find them more agile, commercially savvy and responsive than any of their competitors. Finally, they offer solutions and work shoulder to shoulder with us until a fix is found. They come off the fence and give seasoned strategic guidance rather than merely presenting lists of issues with oceans of options.’

‘One of Trowers’ strengths is that it provides a wide range of services that not all law firms can offer. It can give advice covering a diverse range of commercial activities and provides a joined-up approach. The expertise available in the firm means that advice is provided on a range of activities such as financing, development agreements, land acquisitions and grant agreements, with an approach that ensures that advice is given but the client still makes the decision.’

‘They are a cohesive and unified team and they have delivered significant support to us in a time when any finance or transaction was made difficult by the pandemic.’

‘High-quality, pragmatic and approachable team. Strength in depth within the team.’

‘Key staff are always available and easy to converse with as many have been with the firm for a number of years. Hard work, long hours, targets met and a touch of realism which is sometimes required in negotiations. Good technical knowledge is obviously a pre-requisite. Building a long-term relationship with the firm/staff is key and I have personally benefited from this over a number of years.’

‘Very quick, both in terms of getting the commercial drivers and the key elements of a given deal and also in terms of service delivery – turning in drafts, following up, expediting matters and making the deal happen without delay.’

‘Chen Ikeogu is a superb communicator, often dealing with complex matters, and provides advice which is clear and concise. Chen is extremely knowledgeable and provides advice which is easy to digest and interpret and implement.’

‘Chen Ikeogu is very experienced and provides an exemplary level of service to us in terms of both skill and dedication.’

‘Strong team with strong experience and good reactivity.’

‘Very knowledgeable, understand quickly the legal position of the client and have a good ability to suggest solutions.’

‘What makes Druces LLP unique is their ability to provide a bespoke service tailored to each client. They really know how to make a client feel like they are their only client. Their sophistication, depth of experience and legal creativity – especially in the area of complex real estate transactions – is simply unrivalled. When there is an unprecedented situation alleged to be perilous, there is no better partner to have in the trenches than Druces.’

‘Suzanne Middleton Lindsley really stands out, as she has provided what is truly a partner-led service. She impressed me with her quick grasp of the very complex circumstances and her in-depth knowledge of how real estate should be structured really gave me great confidence. But it was also her friendly and supportive attitude, and readiness to take calls (or return them promptly if she was in court) which was very reassuring. I was delighted with the positive result of the transaction, and the speed and efficiency with which it was handled.’

‘Capable, engaging lawyers whose advice is received on time and budget.’

‘Responsive and forward looking.’

‘Longstanding and knowledgeable property team with wide market experience.’

‘Simon Elphick is personable and highly professional, providing straightforward advice on transactions and clearly articulating key risks.’

‘Simon Elphick is excellent in his field of property and construction. Highly capable, delivering clear, timely advice.’

‘Having worked with Simon Elphick for a number of years, he makes himself available when required to discuss issues and formulate solutions.’

‘Simon Elphick has a proactive approach to solving problems and shows attention to detail. He always keeps the client advised of the transaction status, bringing in additional resources and expertise as necessary.’

‘They have a breadth of experience across all aspects of construction finance and are not afraid to have the hard conversations to ensure things are set up in the correct manner.’

‘Stephen Brower is never fazed and always looks to come up with the most practical solution to ensure things are done with integrity.’

‘A very good professional team with understanding of both practical and technical matters.’

‘The team has provided us with consistently reliable legal advice over the years. The advice has always been clear and and the service has always been prompt.’

‘Simon Collins is commercially orientated, and his legal advice is clear and balanced. He has always been accessible and quick to respond.’

‘Victoria Edwards is an excellent negotiator and strongly supports her clients.’

‘The property finance team has excellent acumen, and is very responsive, cohesive and commercially oriented. I would strongly recommend them to clients and other colleagues in the banking industry with confidence.’

‘Hamlins are black and white – during lockdown we worked hard with all departments and it didn’t feel like anyone was working from home; deadlines were met, the usual out-of-hours calls made and everything ran like clockwork!’

‘I have worked with them for several years on the real estate and finance side, and always had great service. I have built good relationships and they are always happy to advise if needed and be proactive in their approach.’

‘Hamlins is a very knowledgeable firm. They are easy to communicate with and always recommend a good solution that balances both risks and customer requests.’

‘Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood has always been proactive and sought out issues that need to be solved and come to us with solutions not problems. A great person to work with and have on your side.’

‘Joseph Holder is commercial with me, we brainstorm and think outside the box, and he is blunt and insistent when I am wrong to make me realise it. This is how I like to work. Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood is a gem. She works all day and all night to meet deadlines, is always is fair on fees and really is an asset to my legal team and the firm.’

‘Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood is very accessible and communicates in a very straightforward way. Mark Hurst stands out for project management and oversight. John Leasure dovetailed effectively with Aselle to advise on property covenants.’

‘The team is helmed by Aselle Djumabaeva-Wood and under her guidance the only way for them is up! She is a well-rounded individual with impeccable business and professional acumen and a very calm spirit, who can solve the most difficult issues with the best possible outcome for everyone involved. She is very responsive, dilligent, down to earth and a great individual to be around and learn from. She has become a mentor not only to her team but also to her partners and clients, and the service she provides will always exceed your expectations. She builds and maintains life-long relationships due to the consistently outstanding service she provides.’

‘The team have a really wide knowledge of all aspects of property finance and are able to cope with complex cases with ease and efficiency.’

‘Jim Garton leads the team well and in recent cases has gone the extra mile in terms of bottoming out the key risk issues on complex cases, which is greatly appreciated.’

‘They are incredibly responsive and will take the time to explain themselves on items which may be problematic. They are very experienced in what they do and this comes through in their approach. They also have teams across the firm they can call on for specific matters such as planning and banking.’

‘The firm is very strong in the real estate space generally, with an excellent bench in that area. Their team is client-focused and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise across all real estate sectors. Their practical and hands-on approach to transactions makes them a pleasure to work with, especially when it comes to the bridge lending work we do with the firm.’

‘The Howard Kennedy property finance team delivers a responsive, cost-effective and commercially focused service to us. I understand very well the client pressures that are placed on lawyers and law firms and Howard Kennedy are able to deal with those most effectively. The firm has provided us with commercially driven, clear and appropriate advice on a wide range of high-value, highly complex, multi-jurisdictional real estate funding matters over the past year. The advice has always been of top quality and first class. The firm understands how the client wants and needs to get from the start to the end of the transaction efficiently and smoothly, and deals with all issues in a calm and effective manner. I have very much enjoyed working with Howard Kennedy and hope that our relationship continues long into the future.’

‘The team do an outstanding job and always perform on time and within budget, which makes for an easy relationship and also makes life easy for us when handling client expectations. We can always get hold of the right people at the right time and are continually impressed with the speed at which work is turned around.’

‘Nada Jarnaz is extremely responsive and very practical. Nada is diligent, commercial and very user-friendly. She has excellent client-handling skills, coupled with a personal approach and the ability to manage complex property finance transactions. She is a delight and pleasure to deal with.’

‘Steve Clinning is a pleasure to work with. He is smart, proactive and very responsive, ensuring his transactions are completed in time and in good order. His experience as both a banker and a specialist in banking and finance law makes his advice invaluable to clients. I have also worked with Nada Jarnaz, who is very strong in real estate generally, including Islamic finance matters involving real estate. She is a thorough, creative and highly experienced commercial lawyer whom I would trust with any deal regardless of its complexity. I have consistently found her to be a strong performer, with a clear focus on getting the deals done for her clients.’

‘Steve Clinning’s knowledge in the property market is impeccable.’

‘The team are very user friendly and are well coordinated across the real estate and finance disciplines. Pragmatic solutions are forthcoming and the team is always switched on and helpful.’

‘Michael Anderson is very responsive, organised and knowledgeable. Mike is capable of quickly instilling confidence across complex subjects. Very reliable and nothing is too much trouble.’

‘The advice is solution based, always finding ways to best protect the client. Forward thinking with excellent communication. Proactive.’

‘My experience in dealing with Maples Teesdale is that they are incredibly client focused, and that each matter is dealt with in a personable, professional and expedient manner.’

‘Maples Teesdale are a specialist property law firm based in the City. They have all the skills and experience that this implies. More than this though, they are exceptional in their level of dedication to their clients.’

‘Problem solving, communication and commercial judgement. Experts in the field.’

‘The individuals we have worked with at Maples Teesdale, from the partners downwards, have all been friendly and approachable, and extremely hardworking and dedicated.’

‘Well respected in the sector with a good reputation among all parties – this ensures as a client that we are taken seriously and our legal adviser can fight our corner. Direct participation and process management by partners. Good teamwork and ensuring the right resources are brought in when needed.’

‘The very experienced Matthew Lindsay goes the extra mile to deliver an optimal outcome for clients and always makes time to communicate. Smart and very resourceful.’

‘They adopt a multi-disciplinary approach involving tax, property, regulatory and corporate law coupled with audit capabilities. This is a real strength that makes them somewhat unique. They are very proactive and outstanding at problem solving, and always ready to meet exacting timescales. Nothing is too much trouble. They have excellent document skills.’

‘Our principal contacts are Annalie Croney and Sophie Vann. Both adopt a proactive approach to problem solving, being adept at finding pragmatic solutions. It is commendable that over the last year their high level of service standards has been maintained notwithstanding the Covid 19 restrictions. The PwC team always meet exacting timescales, providing sound advice (using layman’s English) that is readily understandable.’

‘Excellent connectivity to their corporate team. Cross-practice work is seamless, and superior to other City firms.’

‘Annalie Croney has extensive knowledge of the real estate finance market, and always offers practical and commercial advice.’

‘Very experienced and competent team. Always available and reactive. Knowledgeable and easy to work with.’

‘The real estate finance team offer a stellar service to their clients. The team are professional, personable, pragmatic and always a pleasure to deal with.’

‘Great team. Proactive and very knowledgeable.’

‘The Teacher Stern team is very approachable and collaborative with a cool, calm and commercial approach to complex transactions. It makes this team a pleasure to work with on either side of the transaction.’

‘Phil Berry, Lorna Clarke and Heledd Jones were all a pleasure to deal with. They were responsive and pragmatic and helped deal with complex issues in a measured way.’

‘I found Heledd Jones to be particularly helpful, and always willing to go the extra mile to get the deal done.’

‘Phil Berry brings his unparalleled experience to any transaction and understands what his clients need. Claire Gibson has a wealth of knowledge in her field; her commercialism and dedication to her clients sets her apart from others. Lorna Clarke and Heledd Jones are both great assets to the team and display the same great qualities as the partners heading the group.’

‘Young and keen team. Very hands on.’

‘Charlie Reid and Will Fraser are very hands on, and nice guys with whom to work.’

‘We have been able to develop an excellent working relationship. The individuals we work with are very knowledgeable and experienced lawyers who have taken the time to understand our business.’

‘Well-structured team that highlights key risks and provides suggestions to mitigate them. There is a good understanding of our requirements – we rarely have to go back and ask follow-up questions or query what has been documented as it is clear and concise and in layman’s terms. The property team collaborates well with other teams such as banking and is very responsive.’

‘Very efficient service with very capable members of the real estate team able to advise on a range of property issues. Large firm expertise at a midsize firm.’

‘Bates Wells have a holistic approach to all issues, taking the time to consider the broader context and objectives. They provide a professional and knowledgeable service. On any matter we refer to Bates Wells they work collaboratively with our staff to tackle the problem, remaining focused on the central issues and working across specialisms as required. The real estate team have been tenacious in dealing with matters and have brought to bear significant expertise in the specific charity law requirements when it comes to the sale and mortgaging of property.’

‘An engaged and committed team with a good in-depth knowledge of property and finance matters, as well as factors relevant to certain specialist sectors – notably charity, healthcare and real estate. The team are responsive and strive to drive a transaction forward. They are always available and are sufficiently resourced that response times are quick.’

‘Malcolm Headley is sensible, doesn’t over or underplay issues and will help provide solutions rather than purely present problems.’

‘Patrick Keown and Malcolm Headley and the wider team have always proved to be knowledgeable, commercial and solution focused.’

‘Boodle Hatfield is very synced up across the banking, property and construction teams which helps the process run incredibly smoothly from a client perspective. The partners are very hands on and involved which is brilliant when tackling complex structuring and due diligence issues. They have been particularly helpful in facilitating completions during remote working.’

‘I have worked with the Islamic finance, finance and real estate teams at Boodle Hatfield and have been impressed with their partner-led approach, responsiveness, client focus and collaboration/communication between teams.’

‘We put all our business through BH and have done for many years. An excellent team all round.’

‘Adam Chamberlain is client-focused and responsive.’

‘Cadwalader has not only structured our whole transaction to a large extent, but also has organised the cooperation among the various law firms. During this transaction, a number of unexpected problems have arisen, which needed immediate attention and creative solutions. The Cadwalader team has managed all these challenges in a highly professional manner. As the transaction has become much more complex than expected, Cadwalader has been flexible with regard to billing.’

‘The property finance team is well known to us. They are quick in providing support.’

‘Duncan Hubbard has a quick and easy approach to solving conflicts. During ongoing and sometimes difficult negotiations, he is always a great support.’

‘Duncan Hubbard was the driving force of the deal. His professionalism, exceptional problem-solving skills and calmness proved to be very valuable. William Lo and Livia Li also contributed greatly to the success of the transaction. Duncan and William have always been available as reliable partners, acting quickly and proactively.’

‘They have built a strong rapport with their clients, respond promptly, and all case loads are overseen by a partner, regardless of the complexities. The team is very diverse and all employees (from trainee up to partner level) are very approachable. Glovers also have an agreed fee scale with us which allows us to quote fee amounts to clients with a level of certainty. To date, fees for works have never gone above the agreed fee scale.’

‘The property team at Glovers are very experienced and knowledgeable, so I am confident in the quality of the advice that they provide. The team are approachable and efficient and I regularly receive positive feedback from my client base with regard to their attentiveness and professionalism.’

‘Glovers provides excellent execution and delivers on time. During the pandemic they have continued to support us with a number of new deals.’

‘The team is extremely well versed in all aspects of secured lending property transactions. Service levels are high and the response times and overall efficiency on transactions is exceptional.’

‘Glovers have an experienced team, who are able to understand our requirements and assist us with making commercial judgements.’

‘Liza Lam-Kee is our key contact at the firm and handles the majority of our transactions. Liza is organised and diligent and leaves no stone unturned in making sure that the security we have asked her to put in place is robust and all key aspect of the transaction have been thoroughly examined.’

‘Philip Mundy is always professional and goes the extra mile.’

‘People such as Liza Lam-Kee and Darran Smith are always willing to help, even on cases that have not been sent to them direct.’

‘Competent and very easy to talk to.’

‘Excellent service, never a stupid question and focused on problem solving.’

‘They work closely with us, manage the transactions efficiently and keep us updated. Where problems arise they give us options and recommendations.’

‘Rosling King has been a great additional to our panel. We work with very experienced lawyers at reasonable fee levels. The individuals we work with are very helpful, flexible and responsive.’

‘We have always valued the team’s collaborative and transparent approach. They are clear upfront about work and cost involved, and always work to find solutions to issues rather than provide boiler-plate advice. They also show consistency in the team allocated to provide the work versus the pitch process and always stick to their quote. If additional work is involved then they are upfront about why and work with us to find a solution.’

‘This really is a team with some depth. Lawyers at all levels have a good fundamental understanding of what the client is looking for. We have always been impressed that there seems to be an excellent team spirit among those we have engaged within RK.’

‘The team at Rosling King have an incredible attention to detail and are able to advise us on a number of complex transactions. Simon Geoghegan and his team continue to have a hands-on approach when instructed and provide peace of mind for me.’

‘Having worked with Rosling King for five years, I have found their approach to business collaborative and refreshing. They are incredibly adaptable, working on a number of key initiatives for us and allocating the appropriate skilled resource when needed, often at short notice with tight deadlines.’

‘Simon Geoghegan is a hands-on partner who leads from the front. He is only ever a short call away from being a sounding board for complex transactions. He is honest with turnaround times which makes our life a lot easier when it comes to managing client expectations.’