Allen & Overy

The right mix of complexity,  innovation and expertise 

The real estate market is changing. The market is now truly global. Clients need lawyers with the technical expertise and practical approach to meet the demands of this modern real estate world and its business requirements. We are international real estate lawyers who thrive on complexity and innovation, but pride ourselves on delivering our expertise with a personal touch. Our dedicated teams advise on the full range of real estate-related transactions, acting for clients at all levels.  We deliver holistic real estate capabilities to clients in the real estate sector, including construction, environment, investment funds and structures, sales and acquisitions, lettings and leasing, outsourcing, planning, real estate finance, real estate litigation and regulatory.

You will have lots of hands-on experience from your first day in this group. As a trainee, you will have responsibility for running your own files and be the main contact for clients. You will take instructions on new matters. Your work will range from on-going property portfolio management to real estate transactions which may involve other groups (for instance, tax, corporate, banking, capital markets) or our international offices. You will draft simple contracts, negotiate contentious points with lawyers from other firms, and experience a wide variety of commercial conveyancing work.

Recently we have acted for The Royal Bank of Scotland on the sale of Citigroup Tower, 25 Canada Square.  A Sovereign Wealth Fund on a major equity participation in Heron Tower a 42-storey development due to complete in 2008 in the City of London.  We also advised GE Real Estate on the GBP 2bn purchase of a commercial property loan portfolio from Bradford & Bingley and Evans Property Group on the sale of approximately GBP 400m portfolio of properties to REIT Asset Management as well as advising Quinlan Private on their acquisition of a 50% stake in the next phase of the development of Paddington Central in London, including all the planning aspects of the due diligence.

You can find more information about the Real Estate practice area on the main Allen & Overy website.