Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP advises sponsors and managers on major European real estate fundraisings, covering equity and debt strategies across various sectors, including residential and hospitality. Recognised for its ‘knowledge and experience’, the team handles closed- and open-end structures, evergreen semi-liquid funds and separate managed accounts. The ’excellent’ James Sargent works with a mix of sponsors and managers on capital raisings, fund establishment and operation, co-investment platforms, and GP-led secondaries. James Bromley focuses on primary fundraising, new manager establishment, and platform extensions, while the ‘very strong, experienced’ Jacquelyn Volpe represents sponsors and institutional investors in fund formation, structuring, and investment. Recent arrivals include Sophie Smith from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in October 2024 and Philip Baynes from A&O Shearman in August 2025, both of whom bring experience advising leading sponsors and investors. Ed Gander, Stephen Fox and Peter Boulle are no longer at the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Excellent engagement and collaboration. Easy to work with, commercial, accessible.'
‘This team serves not merely as legal advisors, but as trusted legal business partners, valued for their pragmatic mindset and focus on actionable solutions.’
'The team brings together wide-ranging knowledge and experience as well as commercial understanding that helps navigate the increasingly complex landscape of fund set up and fundraising. This is combined with highly reliable legal understanding and process, as well as a pragmatic approach.'
‘The Weil team are extremely knowledgeable on all aspects of private fund structuring. They provide very commercial advice and are responsive. In our experience, they are the best firm in the City that we deal with for private funds.’
'James Sargent is smart and practical, and I know we will be able to reliably resolve issues and questions with him. He also has a deep set of relationships across the globe, meaning he can be a point person and more of a general counsel on any fund and investment related aspects. One of the best partners I work with anywhere.'
‘James Sargent and Jacci Volpe are truly outstanding. Both are highly business-oriented, with a strong understanding of the market and a solid grasp of our needs as a client. They respond quickly, know when a swift answer is required, and consistently get straight to the point while also asking the right, value-adding questions. We can fully rely on them - not only are they excellent at what they do, but they are also a pleasure to work with: approachable, professional, and genuinely enjoyable collaborators.’
Key clients
- Brookfield Asset Management
- Castleforge
- CapMan
- Cheyne Capital
- ESR Europe
- PATRIZIA
- Revetas
- Victory Advisors
- Yoo Capital
Work highlights
Advising Cheyne Capital on the establishment of the £5 billion target Cheyne Real Estate Credit Holdings VIII – Senior Loan Fund.
Advising ESR Europe on its flagship European real estate fundraising – ESR Europe Active Real Estate Fund V.
Advised Castleforge on the establishment of the latest fund in its flagship UK value add fundraising series, Castleforge Partners IV.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Ed Gander
Other key lawyers
James Sargent; Jacquelyn Volpe; Carl Suard; James Bromley; Sophie Smith; Philip Baynes