With Macfarlanes having a made a virtue of broadening its service lines post-recession to contribute to its impressive financial performance in the last five years, it has expanded its real estate practice further with the hire of Ashurst real estate partner Gerald Kelly – its fourth real estate lateral from Ashurst in as many years.
Kelly has been a partner at Ashurst since 2001, and acts for fund managers, institutions, corporates and developers. Notable mandates include leading on advising Berkeley Group on a joint venture with National Grid in 2014 to develop and sell contaminated sites.
Macfarlanes has invested in its real estate and construction offering in recent years, notably with talent from Ashurst, which has included its former head of construction, Anne Minogue in 2013, followed by partner Anthony Burnett-Scott. This was preceded by the departure Ashurst’s former head of real estate, Ian Nisse, in autumn 2011.
Nisse, who is now Macfarlanes head of commercial real estate said: ‘Gerald brings with him a wealth of experience which complements our practice very well. His addition to the team will further bolster our already compelling offering to commercial real estate clients.’
Senior partner Charles Martin added: ‘An appointment at this level is a further sign of our continued commitment to building on the strength and depth of our very successful real estate team, which is a core part of our practice.’
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk