Freshfields Strengthens Real Estate Offering with New Appointments
Real estate division bolstered by appointments of David Seymour and Will Bryant at Freshfields
Global law firm Freshfields has made strategic additions to its team, appointing David Seymour and Will Bryant as private equity real estate lawyers. These appointments aim to bolster the firm's strength in London and global capabilities to meet the evolving needs of clients in the real estate sector.
David Seymour and Will Bryant, previously from Ropes & Gray in London, bring impressive experience advising European and international investors on cross-border transactions. They will focus on advising clients on real investments, assets, and businesses.
The appointments come as Alexander Watt, co-head of Freshfields' Global Real Assets, highlights the trends and challenges in the global private equity real estate sector. Watt notes an increase in the complexity and cross-border nature of real estate transactions, necessitating enhanced legal expertise to navigate international investments successfully.
The real estate sector is the largest asset class in the private capital space, experiencing rapid change due to factors such as changing work patterns, generational shifts, interest rates, increased construction costs, altered demands, and the need to adapt buildings to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements.
Niko Schultz-Suechting, Global Real Estate Head at Freshfields, emphasises the significance of these appointments. He states, "The diversified market in real estate necessitates a full range of private capital and strategic investors to cater to the sector's needs."
Seymour and Bryant will work closely with Alexander Watt, collaborating with Niko Schultz-Suechting, Global Real Estate Head, and James Scott, UK PE head at Freshfields. This collaboration is intended to expand Freshfields' global offering across the full range of private capital and strategic investors in the real estate sector, indicative of a growing interest in broadening the firm's capabilities to meet increasing client needs.
The firm is also focusing on investing in new asset classes, such as data centers, logistics, and social and educational investments. This diversification helps investors spread risk and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Overall, the appointments of Seymour and Bryant underscore Freshfields' commitment to staying ahead in the evolving real estate sector. Their expertise in cross-border transactions and diverse industry experience will undoubtedly contribute to the firm's ability to navigate the increasing complexity and cross-border nature of real estate transactions effectively.
David Seymour and Will Bryant, newly appointed private equity real estate lawyers at Freshfields, will utilize their experience in cross-border transactions to advise clients on investments, assets, and businesses within the real estate sector, aligning with Freshfields' aim to expand its global capabilities in finance to better serve clients.
Freshfields, with the strategic additions of Seymour and Bryant, is demonstrating its commitment to strengthening its position within the private equity real estate sector, particularly in relation to enhancing its expertise in navigating the increasing complexity and cross-border nature of real estate transactions.
