Ashurst‘s real estate finance practice is notable for its balanced approach, acting for both lenders and borrowers on complex, cross-border loan financings. The team’s comprehensive offering is a reflection of its deep bench of specialists. The practice is co-headed by specialist in investment, development, and structured lending Ruth Harris, and Sarah Watkinson, who regularly handles high-value transactions for major asset managers as part of the firm’s global loans practice. Stuart Blacklock is noted for his project management on major refinancings, while Sarah Winter leverages her experience in leading financing for large projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Stuart Blacklock is simply brilliant. He is extremely responsive and thorough. He is also very commercially savvy, so we like to get him involved in our deals at an earlier stage when the deal is still being mapped out, rather than waiting to tell him what has been agreed.'
'Broad experience, top of class in market, commercial focus, competitive fee base.'
'Stuart Blacklock is among the best in the market.'
Key clients
- Almacantar
- Apollo
- Arax Capital
- Arrow Capital
- Aviva
- Barings Asset Management
- BlackRock
- Blackstone
- Birchwood
- Brockton
- Cain International
- CarVal
Work highlights
Advised a lending syndicate comprising Rothesay Life Plc, BNP Paribas, and DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale as mandated lead arrangers, bookrunners, and lenders on a term facility secured against Ireland's leading retail, leisure, and lifestyle destination, Dundrum Town Centre.
Acted as lead counsel to Omnam Investment Group and Mohari Hospitality Limited in the acquisition and development financing of the Hôtel Saint-James & Albany in Paris, alongside August-Debouzy, GALM, and PwC.
Acted as sole counsel to Security Benefit Life Insurance Company and Cain International in a significant senior development financing to Vita for a 1,068-studio PBSA development in Canary Wharf.
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.
Practice head
Ruth Harris; Sarah Watkinson
Other key lawyers
Stuart Blacklock; Sarah Winter