K&L Gates LLP‘s real estate practice has seen an uptick in work stemming from the financial, technology, and retail sectors. Christian Major leads the team and regularly acts for institutional funds on acquisitions, disposals, and developments, while Steven Cox manages the whole arena of commercial property, including property finance and landlord and tenant matters. Chiara Del Frate is a key advisor for corporate clients and prime luxury brands on cross-border asset and corporate deals, and Christopher Swallow engages closely with institutional investors in alternative sectors, with recent work including the development and leasing of student accommodation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘K&L Gates have performed incredibly well across multiple disciplines in advising corporate occupier clients. This is especially true of Christian Major, who has worked on a number of complex leasing projects with me but was also supported by his Construction Team.’
- ‘Christian Major takes an incredibly commercial view which our mutual clients really appreciate. His advice is timely and clear - he is able to explain real estate matters to non-real estate people very concisely.’
- ‘Chiara Del Frate is a perfect partner for our business. She is sharp, commercial and forward-thinking. She cares and has a great deal of experience and professional skills.’
- ‘We find Christian Major to be an excellent lawyer. Christian is really strong technically while being very commercial and solutions-focused.’
- ‘From an occupier's perspective, K&L's team is excellent - they have their finger on the pulse of what an occupier needs.’
- ‘The team at K&L Gates is skilled, diverse, and always available to our business needs.’
Key clients
- Abrdn Plc
- Brighton Table Tennis Club
- Coty Inc
- Edinburgh St James Limited Partnership
- Hakkasan
- LRC Group
- Nuveen Real Estate
- Slalom Inc.
- SharkNinja
- Unity Software, Inc.
- Workspace Group Plc
- Zephyr X Developments
Work highlights
Advising Hakkasan, a global restaurant brand, on its portfolio of prominent restaurants in London, including the Yauatcha chain.
Advised SharkNinja, the global home technology company, on its letting at 50 Electric Boulevard in London’s Battersea Power Station.
Advising Slalom Consulting, a Seattle-based global consulting firm, on its expansion across the UK, with work including acting in their significant and complex letting of office space at their headquarters in London Bridge.
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.
Steven Cox
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Chiara Del Frate
Practice head
Christian Major
Other key lawyers
Steven Cox; Chiara Del Frate; Christopher Swallow