Goodwin‘s real estate finance team is structured to handle the full spectrum of transactional work, with a focus on acquisitions, sales, and investments, including complex cross-border matters spanning the UK, Europe, and the US. Richard Semple sits at the helm of the department, and the team’s capabilities are broadened by Toby Young, who has strong experience in the financing, refinancing, and development financing elements of property deals. Paul Lyons departed the firm in April 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Goodwin gives the impression that you are their only client. Response to queries and commitments to deadlines is second to none.’
‘I have always found Toby Young (Partner) to be very knowledgeable on both industry wide and document specific matters.’
'Clear communication; pragmatic team and responsive; they keep the team lean to optimize cost while not harming quality.'
'Richard Semple is very knowledgeable and pragmatic in his approach to negotiation - focused on getting the deal done. He is also well connected with other firms, which helps in negotiations.'
Key clients
- BentallGreenOak
- Meadow Partners
- Ares Funds
- London Square Developments
- Partners Group
- Martley Capital Group
Work highlights
Advised MPT Circle Property Holdings A Limited and MPT UK Property Holdings A Limited, which are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of existing client, Medical Properties Trust Inc., on their entry into a £631m debt financing secured against 27 of their UK hospitals let to Circle Health Group.
Advised certain Dutch and Luxembourg entities ("Borrowers") controlled by Clarion Partners Europe Limited ("Clarion Partners") on utilising a real estate loan from Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG in an amount of €118m to refinance the "Earth Portfolio".
Advised Martley Capital on the £90m refinancing of the Mailbox, Birmingham, an iconic building in Birmingham city centre and one of the UK’s largest mixed-use developments outside of London.
Practice head
Richard Semple
Other key lawyers
Toby Young