Significant headquarter relocations remain a core component of the versatile corporate occupier team at Lewis Silkin, as well as remaining a first port of call for global corporates and investors on the acquisition, disposal, and management of their real estate portfolio and for the luxury brands, lifestyle, and retail industries. Rachel Francis-Lang has extensive corporate occupier experience, advising on the acquisition and disposal of properties and the acquisition of headquarters premises. Out of the Cardiff office, Tom Merrick works with large corporate occupiers and institutional investors on asset management, commercial acquisitions, and disposals, while London-based Patrick Brown is another versatile commercial real estate lawyer who is sought after for his headquarters relocation experience. Julia Poulter departed from the team in 2024.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We have used Lewis Silken for the past 15 years. They offer the best advice that you can get and are always keeping us updated if there are any changes in the property law that we may need to know. And they always deliver projects on time and budget.’
‘Rachel Francis-Lang is our main contact and, as before, always delivers on time and budget and gives us the best advice possible. She also always keeps updated on the project by chasing updates.’
‘An exceptional, partner-led service with great anticipation of the issues to be faced during negotiations.'
'The Lewis Silkin team made sure that the deal happened and that we were very well advised on the implications of issues and decisions.’
‘The human factor and the ability to see through my eyes as the client, and what would concern me. Also proactively thinking about who in the Lewis Silkin team could optimise the legal advice quality vs fee cost.’
‘Tom Merrick was our secondee. Tom was extremely diligent, professional and thorough in everything he worked on. He consulted with the business closely to drive the right outcomes and ensure negotiations were carried out robustly and speedily.’
'We love the Partner level service, speed of response, and no-nonsense approach.'
'Rachel Francis-Lang is always available and always gets things done by required deadlines. She offers advice and takes initiative with her counterparts.'
'We very much valued the flexibility that Lewis Silkin offered.'
Key clients
- Pizza Express
- Havas SA
- Jones Knowles Ritchie Limited
- Daniel J. Edelman Limited
- The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc
- Mccann Erickson
- Mediabrands
- IPG Dxtra
- Jack Morton
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
- Uncommon
- IG Group
- TCC Global
- Davis Polk & Wardwell
Work highlights
Advised advertising agency, Havas, and all of its subsidiaries on its UK property portfolio, including advising newly acquired Uncommon on its acquisition of newly refurbished headquarters premises in Clerkenwell.
Advised architects, ORMS, on its acquisition of new headquarters premises on a pre-let basis.
Advising Selfridges on a restructuring of its leases of premises in central London.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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
Brian Kilcoyne
Other key lawyers
Rachel Francis-Lang; Tom Merrick; Patrick Brown