CMS's real estate practice advises across the full asset life cycle, including on financing, acquisitions, development, asset management, and sale. The group’s expertise extends across a variety of sectors, including office, logistics, and data centres. Demonstrating activity across a varied stream of work, practice head Marie Scott is highly recommended for complex occupier pre-lets on development schemes, and co-head Andrew Banton is a go-to contact for occupiers in the retail, office, and leisure sectors. Jules Needleman is a leading name for headquarters transactions, whereas Mark Heighton chiefly advises on acquisitions and developments and is regularly engaged by higher education sector clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Fast and accurate advice ensuring we transact on time.'
- 'Jules Needleman supported our recent transactions in London. Extremely reactive and able to keep up with a changing landscape from the landlord side. Have since used CMS in our regional transaction due to the excellent experience.'
Key clients
- abdrn
- Deloitte LLP
- TikTok
- Imperial College London
- Snapchat
- Big Yellow
- University College London
- Costco
- Comcast
- Universal
- Morgan Stanley
Work highlights
Advised Google on a complex pre-let of a significant floor space (c60,000 square metres, being over 1/3 of the total proposed floor space in the building) in what is going to be Google’s new Israeli HQ in Tel Aviv.
Advised TikTok on the pre-letting of brand-new office space at 150 Aldersgate Street in London, where it will occupy the entire Verdant development by property and investment group Topland.
Advising UCL on the letting in excess of a further 40,000 square feet at Levels 48 and 49 One Canada Square (UCL already occupy Levels 38 and 50) as part of the expansion of UCL’s School of Management.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Andrew Banton; Marie Scott
Other key lawyers
Jules Needleman; Mark Heighton; Mat Speed