Investment Funds: Real Estate

With a dominant private funds group, Clifford Chance has expertise across the range of structures and asset classes. The team is well known for debt, real asset and upper mid-market private equity fund formation work, and especially for its market-leading real estate debt offering. The firm's global resources are fully utilised by the London team, which is able to offer advice to clients from around the world. It acts for an impressive list of clients, including high-profile UK, European and global fund managers.

"The Clifford Chance team offer quick, pragmatic solutions while being smart and easy to work with."

"They are extremely knowledgeable in the area, work well as a team, are efficient and collaborative, and offer helpful solutions."

"They are exceptionally strong in real estate debt markets across Europe. Well resourced from a client perspective, high-quality and approachable lawyers."

"The team are very articulate, technical and knowledgeable."

"Clifford Chance are very responsive and always on hand when needed."

Clifford Chance advised M&G Investment Management on the establishment of its real estate debt finance funds.

Regarding private equity funds, Clifford Chance advised Stirling Square Capital Partners on the establishment of its fifth fund.

Regarding secondaries, Clifford Chance advised DWS on the establishment and fundraising for a newly formed continuation partnership.

Alexandra Davidson is valued for her knowledge and experience advising sponsor clients, and assists them with everything from the formation to the closure of a comprehensive range of private equity-style funds. "Alexandra is excellent. She's incredibly smart, very dedicated and always thinking one step ahead." "Alexandra is a very solid lawyer in fund formation." "She's super quick, really commercial and cuts through a lot of nuances that aren't relevant to specific negotiations or issues we're having."

Gerard Saviola is noted for his expertise in advising European and emerging market-focused asset managers on the formation of a range of funds. As well as buyout and infrastructure funds, he also regularly advises clients on the establishment of debt funds. "Gerard is commercial, has a global outlook and is extremely client-friendly." "Gerard's knowledge of the funds sector is phenomenal and he often understands our commercial drivers before we articulate them." "Gerard is an excellent funds lawyer who has the perfect mix of technical expertise and commercial and market knowledge to provide first-class advice and service." "Gerard is very pleasant to work opposite, reasonable in his negotiations and a good addition to the funds ecosystem." "He is extremely commercial, both in dealings with external investors and in understanding our business."

Alexander Chester is a specialist investment funds practitioner who advises GP-side clients on fund formation, restructurings and co-investments, covering a wide range of asset classes. "Alexander and the entire team are really good at working as a global firm. They package it like it's coming from them as a team, using the whole resource of the firm." "Alexander is a very good lawyer."

Jonathan Bray advises leading managers in the real asset and private equity fields. He is recognised for his expertise in real estate debt funds. "Jonathan works well with investors and is very knowledgeable about everything relating to these vehicles." "Jonathan is responsive, technical and solutions-oriented, and takes the time to really understand our business to provide top-level legal and strategic advice." "Jonathan is great to work with. He is thoughtful, thorough and a pleasure to interact with." "Jonathan is great to work with, given his calm and measured attitude." "Jonathan is a stellar lawyer."

Lily Marcel advises clients on funds matters both domestically and internationally. She advises clients on a full range of matters across classes, including infrastructure, technology and energy. "Lily is very approachable, user-friendly, quickly picks up on complicated points and is pragmatic in terms of her approach to them." "Lily is a commercially-minded and talented lawyer who is focused on the highest levels of client service." "I adore Lily, she is great. She is so commercial and knowledgeable." "Lily is particularly strong on ESG, knows the market, is really responsive, always gives high-quality advice and can talk through complex issues."