Regarded as a ‘strong team with great exposure across the industry’, Clifford Chance LLP advises a host of fund managers and sponsors on real estate fund formation and structuring matters. Led by Alexandra Davidson, the team combines strong technical tax and regulatory knowledge with capabilities in debt funds, private equity, emerging market funds, and secondaries transactions. Its experience also includes GP M&A, GP stakes and minority investments, and sustainable funds. Gerard Saviola is recognised for his international experience, with a strong track record advising fund sponsors on fundraising across asset classes in developed and emerging markets. Lily Marcel, praised for her ’strategic mindset’, specialises in private fund establishment and operation, while Jonathan Bray is noted for his knowledge in the debt space, with experience across both closed- and open-end private funds and secondaries. Benjamin Harding advises private fund sponsors on the structuring and operation of investment arrangements across alternative investment strategies.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Very insightful team. Very commercial and always has good suggestions on alternatives.’
- ‘Strong team with great exposure across the industry and clear views on complex topics. The team are experienced, available, and on the ball. They show up prepared every time.’
- ‘Gerard Saviola brings a great international view, particularly as he works across both London and New York practices, so he can speak to what big US PE shops are doing on both sides of the pond.’
Key clients
- M&G Asset Management
- Climate Asset Management
- BentallGreenOak
- Ares
- Legal & General
- Hillwood
- Nuveen
- DWS
- DRC Savills Investment Management
- CBRE IM
- Apollo Asset Management
- Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
- DigitalBridge
- Schroders
- Aventicum
- EQT Exeter
- AIG
- Hillwood
- Barings
- Realterm
Work highlights
Advising BentallGreenOak on simultaneous fundraisings of all of its UK and EU debt mandates across its platform.
Advising M&G Investment Management on its Real Estate Debt Finance funds.
Advising Apollo on the Real Estate Debt fund (and all other funds) within its multi-strategy retail fund (including Apollo Alternatives Global Private Market Fund).
Lawyers
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Alexandra Davidson
Other key lawyers
Gerard Saviola; Lily Marcel; Jonathan Bray; Benjamin Harding