Mishcon de Reya has enhanced its real estate finance offering with the addition of former SJ Berwin partner Raji Bartlett.
Bartlett joined Mishcon as a consultant this week, having previously been a partner in the finance department at SJ Berwin for the last 16 years.
An advisor of financial institutions as well as corporates and sponsors/funds, Bartlett has particular expertise in advising borrowers and lenders in syndicated real estate investment and development finance as well as acquisition/leveraged finance transactions.
Bartlett said he joined Mishcon to ‘work with the existing real estate practice with work the firm is currently handling, and also helping to develop the practice.’
‘I already have connections with some of its real estate clients,’ he added, confirming that he will bring clients with him.
‘Mishcon for the last three years has grown significantly,’ says Bartlett. ‘The firm has had a very healthy increase in turnover and profit in the last year, so the hope is that this continues.
‘The real estate market is still struggling in terms of funding side, with non-bank lenders coming into market, but the existing Mishcon finance practice will be more active on that side, which is positive.’
Mishcon has been one of the strongest performers financially in recent years. In 2011/2012, the firm grew revenues by 12% to £73.1m. Profit per equity partner also increased by 22% to £700,000, according to the Legal Business 100.
Nick Strutt, head of real estate finance at the firm, said: ‘An intelligent and experienced approach to finance is essential to successful investment and development in both the residential and commercial real estate sectors.’
SJ Berwin also lost corporate partner Nicholas Plantst to Dentons this week.
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
