Real Estate Finance | UK

A&O Shearman continues to stand out as one of the top real estate finance teams in the country. The firm demonstrates impressive capabilities acting for both lenders and sponsors on complex matters, including investments and restructurings. The team acts for an impressive array of clients ranging from major banks and debt funds to insurance companies. It handles a broad caseload of property financings, domestically and internationally.

Clifford Chance has a multifaceted and market-leading real estate finance team. The group regularly works with leading banks and financial institutions on a variety of matters including mezzanine finance, development finance and CMBS. The firm is adept at handling cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters. It is particularly proficient in the financing of major hospitality and industrial assets.

Herbert Smith Freehills has an esteemed property finance team with an impressive number of prominent lender clients and additional capability in borrower-side work. The team acts for an enviable client base which includes major banks and investment funds. The firm regularly handles mezzanine and senior debt facilities and development finance transactions. It has the capacity to operate in both domestic and cross-border financings.

Jones Day acts for a long list of leading investor and borrower clients. It is adept at handling a wide range of property finance matters, including investment loans, portfolio transactions and development financings. The firm is accomplished at office, hospitality and logistics financing. It regularly handles financing work across multiple European jurisdictions, in addition to fielding a strong domestic practice.

Addleshaw Goddard acts for an impressive roster of clients that includes many of the leading clearing banks as well as European and Islamic banks. The firm's client base also includes borrowers, as well as alternative lenders, funds and insurers. The team is active across a wide range of complex real estate matters, including development and acquisition financing. It exhibits strong capabilities in hotel, living and office finance.

CMS is notable for its impressive array of borrower and lender clients. The team displays great skill in advising institutional investors, managing complex real estate structures and cross-border property portfolio transactions. The firm's areas of focus include development finance and restructurings. It is experienced across a range of asset classes, including offices and hotels.

DLA Piper has a well-reputed property finance team that works closely with a range of top lenders and also regularly provides counsel to international borrowers. The team advises on the full spectrum of real estate finance and has the capability to act across a wide array of asset classes, such as hotels, student accommodation properties and sports venues. The team is supported by a diverse suite of departments including finance, corporate and tax.

Eversheds Sutherland offers clients the full suite of financing advice, including on structured finance and development financing. The firm represents an enviable roster of major banks and financial institutions, and is also a strong choice to act for borrowers. It is experienced across the full range of real estate assets, including logistics, residential and commercial properties, both domestically and in Europe.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher acts on the full range of property finance matters, frequently representing investors and funds. The firm's particular areas of expertise include debt products, loan-on-loan transactions, restructurings and acquisition finance. It is well regarded for its work with borrowers and sponsors. The team advises on the financing of properties across a range of asset classes including residential and commercial properties.

Hogan Lovells provides a comprehensive property finance service to both domestic and international clients, drawing on its strengths in complementary areas such as investment funds and tax. The firm acts for a variety of major banks and other large lenders in addition to borrowers. It is experienced in handling the financing for a range of real estate projects, including residential, commercial and hotel developments.

Kirkland & Ellis has a strong practice experienced in acting on high-value transactions across a range of asset classes spanning data centres, hospitality and offices. It fields a team with expertise in all aspects of real estate finance such as mezzanine financing, acquisitions and debt facilities. The firm has an impressive roster of private equity clients and is well positioned to advise on cross-border matters.

Mayer Brown has a well-reputed team noted for its strength in CMBS and portfolio financing. The firm regularly handles complex multi-jurisdictional transactions on behalf of international investors. The team is adept at both lender and borrower representation, with a notable emphasis on acting for banks and investment firms.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has a particularly strong reputation for its work advising private equity real estate funds, among its broader client base. The firm has vast experience in pan-European transactions, as well as UK-focused matters. The team regularly handles high-value financings for a variety of real estate portfolios, including logistics, residential and hotel developments.

Taylor Wessing offers commercial financing advice to a range of borrowers, sponsors and lenders. The firm is noteworthy for the depth of the team and its work on national and international matters. The team offers expertise in preferred equity investment and mezzanine finance structures. Its clients are well served by the firm's complementary strengths in construction, planning and tax.

Dentons has a versatile team that prides itself on its ability to handle major European financings, as well as on properties located in the UK. The firm undertakes numerous bilateral and syndicated lending projects on behalf of banks, corporate borrowers and financial institutions. The team advises on the financing aspects of a range of real estate transactions, from high-profile trophy assets to retail and hospitality portfolios. It draws on strengths in corporate and construction law, among other areas, to provide a full service to clients.

Macfarlanes offers extensive experience in handling high-value transactions and managing multilayered property finance deals. The firm is instructed by a number of prominent lenders and borrowers across a range of industries, covering hotels and industrial projects, among other asset classes. The team's expertise in real estate finance is bolstered by complementary strengths in tax and corporate matters, and it is adept at handling cross-border financings.

Pinsent Masons maintains close relationships with a number of prominent UK clearing banks as well as acting for international financial institutions, and advises on numerous company financings and loan portfolio purchases. It is experienced in financing transactions pertaining to various property developments and acquisitions, including hotels, student accommodation and residential properties. Its client base also includes borrowers.

Baker McKenzie is highlighted for its expertise spanning a broad range of domestic and cross-border real estate financing transactions. It is frequently sought after by banks and private equity firms, among other financial institutions. The team has wide-ranging sector experience, including handling mandates in the retail and logistics sectors, with a particular proficiency in the hotel industry.

Fieldfisher advises both lenders and borrowers on complex real estate transactions. It counts major banks and property developers among its client base. The team is active on a range of asset financing transactions, such as retail and hotel properties. The firm is able to provide a full service to clients, with notable additional strengths in corporate and tax matters.

Freshfields houses an accomplished team that frequently takes on high-profile cross-border and domestic deals involving a variety of asset classes. The team advises a diverse client base of lenders and borrowers, including investment firms, leading banks and real estate companies. The firm's areas of expertise include new lending, restructuring, mezzanine loans and development finance. It is also known for its substantial real estate debt investment practice.

Stephenson Harwood has a comprehensive practice concentrating on portfolio finance matters and a range of other high-value transactions. The team acts for major banks and other financial institutions and also has a strong borrower-side client base. The firm has impressive international capabilities, with notable experience advising Asian companies on UK property financings and acquisitions.

Burges Salmon is recognised for its diverse real estate finance practice. The firm has particular expertise in residential, office and student accommodation related matters, but acts across a range of other industries also. The team capably advises banks and other active lenders, as well as borrower-side clients.

Goodwin brings deep expertise advising lenders such as banks and investment firms, and also handles transactions for borrower-side clients. The team possesses the capabilities to act across a range of complex matters, including mezzanine and other subordinated debt financings. It is experienced in dealing with real estate assets located both in the UK and across Europe.

Gowling WLG (UK) demonstrates broad-ranging capabilities to act on behalf of both financial institutions and for borrower-side clients. The team regularly handles mezzanine debt matters, development transactions and acquisition refinancings, among other complex finance issues. It is an established name in the market with regard to debt funds and work with alternative lenders. The team is experienced in handling matters in the residential and retail sectors, among others.

Greenberg Traurig has an experienced real estate finance shop that acts on matters across the UK and Europe. The firm is particularly adept as counsel for lenders and borrowers and covers a wide range of real estate asset types, including retail and residential properties. The team possesses notable proficiency acting on securitisations and structured financings, as well as regularly handling acquisition and development financings.

Latham & Watkins routinely advises on acquisitions, the securitisation aspects of loans, joint venture projects and more. It is also adept at assisting clients with the financing and development of data centres. The team acts across a wide range of industries, but it retains particular experience handling matters in the retail and hotel sectors.

Osborne Clarke represents a wide variety of borrowers as well as major UK banks and alternative lenders. The team advises on development financings and syndicated debt deals, among other matters. The firm is active on complex multi-jurisdictional transactions and is capable of handling transactions across a range of asset classes, including hotels and living developments.

Reed Smith offers broad property finance expertise, including the management of loan portfolios and CMBS transactions. The team advises on all manner of real estate financings, from secured loans to sale-and-leaseback structures. The firm is noted for its representation of both borrowers and lenders, as well as advising facility and security agents on transactions. It has notable international capabilities, with extensive experience handling pan-European transactions.