The Norton Rose Fulbright real estate finance team is well-versed in acquisitions, secured facility agreements, and sale and lease back transactions. Practice head Sarah Cullen, described as ‘technically astute and always very responsive’, regularly advises on financings for office buildings, hospitality facilities, and private rental properties. Dan Kennedy is often engaged for advice regarding financing logistics properties. Jennie Dorsaint, combining ’a sensible, considered approach with responsiveness’, is experienced in complex restructurings with cross-border aspects. Jessy Makdessi - highly experienced acting for both lenders and borrowers - is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Jennie Dorsaint strikes the balance of being close to the detail of a transaction with a commercial approach and mindset. She is collegiate even when working on the other side and is an efficient project manager. ’
‘The team has deep market knowledge, and it prides itself on having a detailed understanding of the client's needs. They are very personable to deal with and manage transactions very calmly.’
‘Jennie Dorsaint's team is a pleasure to deal with. ’
‘Excellent team. Highly commercial and reliable. When working with them, you really feel they are with you in the trenches 100%. Our #1 choice for real estate finance.’
‘Sarah Cullen and Dan Kennedy are both great.’
- Sarah Cullen is excellent in managing transactions end-to-end, she is technically astute and always very responsive. She stays closely involved in the transactions she is leading and has the ability to break down complex matters into simple terms, which is always helpful.
‘Jennie Dorsaint combines a sensible, considered approach with responsiveness. ’
Key clients
- 105VS Unit Trust (105VSUT) for WELPUT
- AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited (now known as Corebridge Institutional Investments (Europe) Limited
- Bangkok Bank
- Battersea Power Station
- Centurion Corporation Limited
- Crest Nicholson Plc
- DBS Bank
- DFI European Value Add Fund
- Haitong Bank, S.A.
- HSBC
Work highlights
- Advising Standard Chartered Private Bank on the £200m financing of Lion Plaza Propco Limited’s acquisition of Lion Plaza, a multi-let prime office building in Old Broad Street, London.
- Advising Corebridge in its role as arranger and lender of a €85m secured facility agreement provided to the Livensa Living group for the financing of four student accommodation assets located in Spain.
- Advising AIG Asset Management as the lender on the €76.6 million financing of the property known as Goods Distribution & Recycling Centre – North, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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.
Jessy Makdessi
Practice head
Sarah Cullen
Other key lawyers
Dan Kennedy; Jennie Dorsaint; Jessy Makdessi