DLA Piper’s real estate finance practice is distinguished by its work on complex, multi-jurisdictional structured financings and its significant specialism in sports-related matters, including stadium developments. The team advises on a comprehensive range of real asset classes, including data centres and logistics, hotels, and life sciences projects, and is also active in green and sustainability-linked loan transactions. The practice is co-led by Christopher Chan, who acts for both lenders and borrowers on development and investment matters, and Toby Barker, who has a strong expertise in structured finance. Another key practitioner who supports the team is Natalie Thorn, handling a variety of investment and development deals.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Christopher Chan is superb, always across all matters on a deal and excellent at managing people and expectations.'
‘Reliable team with a good pool of associates.’
‘Christopher Chan is very user-friendly and always delivers.’
'The team are experts in their respective fields. They are proactive, responsive and always available.'
'They provide sensible and straightforward commercial advice that is easy to understand and digest. They manage deals very well.'
'Toby Barker is a calm and focussed individual. He is always available and takes time to fully understand an issue before advising.'
'Christopher Chan is a pleasure to work, with. He is very personable and helpful.'
'Natalie Thorn is an excellent deal manager. She is cool, calm and collected.'
Key clients
- Aareal Bank AG
- Aerium
- AIB
- Apache Capital Partners
- ARA Europe
- ARA Venn
- Archer Capital Management
- Ares
- Arini Capital
- Arrow Global
- Aviva
- AXA Investments
- Bain Capital
- Brookfield Asset Management
- Cabot Properties
- Carlyle Group
- Cheyne Capital
- Credit Agricole
- Crosstree
- EQT
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.
Practice head
Christopher Chan; Toby Barker
Other key lawyers
Natalie Thorn