DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Ashurst

Real Estate

8 ranked lawyers

Band 2

Australia

Asia-Pacific 2022 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

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What the team is known for

Ashurst handles the full range of real estate work operating on disposals, acquisitions and developments in the hotels, tourism and infrastructure sectors. Assists a diverse portfolio of clients, frequently acting for the Commonwealth and state governments in addition to offshore trusts and investment funds. Demonstrates the ability to advise on large urban redevelopment matters. Notable clients include Crown Resorts, Woolworths and the Queensland Government.

Strengths

Clients appreciate Ashurst's ability to understand their needs and interests, one saying: "They give good commercial advice, are able to anticipate our needs and always provide advice in a timely manner."

Another client notes: "They are pragmatic, understand our commercial realities and are readily available to me and other people within the business."

Work highlights

Represented Crown Resorts in relation to the AUD2 billion development of the Crown Sydney at Barangaroo.

Notable practitioners

Andrew Deane is a well-regarded practitioner who is noted for his work on acquisitions, divestments and development matters. His clients include property groups and corporate and government bodies. A client describes him as being "extremely knowledgeable, very practical and extremely responsive."

Arthur Chong is a well-regarded real estate lawyer, particularly known for representing South-East Asian clients in relation to inbound investments and developments. He is described as "responsive and personable" by one client.

Diane Skapinker is noted for expertise on development mandates and often acts for clients in both the public and private sectors.

Jason Cornwall-Jones is well respected for his practice acting for developers and property and investment groups on acquisitions, sales and developments. He is recognised as a "a pragmatic and sensible lawyer" by market sources.

John Stawyskyj assists clients on joint ventures, property investments, leasings and developments. A client comments that he is "very knowledgeable and helpful with overarching strategy."

Pauline Tan heads the practice from the firm's office in Sydney and frequently acts for REITs and property groups in relation to acquisitions and disposals. A client praises her "technical expertise and ability to navigate a negotiation by being suggestive of solutions and possible outcomes rather than taking an adversarial approach."

Richard Brooks is a highly experienced lawyer and an established figure in the market, known for assisting clients on property acquisitions and sales.

Tim Mathers is noted for his "good practice" assisting clients on property acquisitions and disposals as well as development and leasing matters.

Department Information

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Overview

Our dedicated property team undertake the full gamut of real estate work including, acquisitions and divestments, developments, major infrastructure projects, financing, leasing, and corporate real estate investment.

We have deep experience transacting in both traditional and alternative assets classes, with specialist expertise advising in the hotels and leisure, government, logistics, transport, retail, resources and real estate fund industries. With our direct exposure to these sectors, we have advised on many of the most significant projects across Australia. We have a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers in each sector, which we leverage to ensure the optimal outcome for our clients.

Our team is truly national in scope; with senior members based out of our Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney offices. We are also a fully entrenched part of Ashurst's global network and well-known across the Asia Pacific region. We regularly advise international companies on their activities in Australia and many of our matters are complex, cross-border transactions involving multiple parties, time frames and jurisdictions . This sets us apart from many of the major domestic practices in Australia.