Penningtons Manches boosts real estate practice with new consultant, partner and three additional lawyers

Posted: 04/10/2018

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Penningtons Manches has appointed five new lawyers, including highly regarded property consultant, Simon Allan and planning partner Tim Johnson, to expand its thriving real estate team.

Consultant Simon Allan has joined the real estate investors team. He brings with him over 30 years’ experience of large-scale, high profile real estate development work, having acted for private sector developers, investors and funders as well as central government on a range of major projects. Simon has particular expertise in working with private capital to deliver infrastructure related assets and has an impressive track record in advising on the release and development of surplus central government property and land.

Tim is a planning law specialist who joins the real estate investors team in London from Shoosmiths and is a recognised leader in his field. With particular expertise in large-scale strategic development projects, his practice encompasses all contentious and non-contentious planning and infrastructure matters, including public inquiries, judicial reviews, High Court challenges, planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy, as well as compulsory purchase orders.

Tim is also regularly instructed on highways and other infrastructure schemes to help facilitate development, and on land use issues including those involving environmental and ecology law. His recent projects span a number of sectors, with clients including large-scale residential developments, high profile restaurants and schools.

Associates Sarah Jordan, Giorgia Clements and Fiona Mills also join the division and are based in the firm’s Guildford, Cambridge and London offices respectively.

Sarah, who trained and qualified at Berwin Leighton Paisner before gaining commercial property experience working in-house for a major shopping centre landlord, advises clients on all forms of non-contentious commercial property transactions.

Giorgia, who trained and qualified at Shearman & Sterling, joins the Cambridge office. She acts for institutional investors, occupiers and lenders, on a variety of transactions, including the acquisition and disposal of property, landlord and tenant matters and property financing.

Fiona, who trained at Stephenson Harwood, joins the real estate investors team in London from the Sydney office of Withers, where she specialised in hotels and hospitality. She has also acted for institutional landlords, family offices, private and institutional investors and corporate developers. One of her recent projects involved her acting for a large bank on the £300 million financing of a notable London building being developed into a high end hotel. 

Commenting on the new arrivals, Peter McElligott, head of Penningtons Manches’ real estate division said: “We’re delighted to welcome Simon, Tim, Sarah, Giorgia and Fiona to the firm. They are all highly talented and dedicated lawyers and will be excellent additions to their particular teams. This has been another very busy and successful year for us and it is more important than ever that we continue to invest in talented individuals to ensure we keep pace with ever-growing client demand and expectations. I very much look forward to working with them and wish them every success in their new roles.”

Real estate is a key strategic sector for Penningtons Manches, representing almost a quarter of its fee income. The division’s various practice areas, including the real estate investors and commercial property teams, are highly rated by prominent legal directories Chambers UK and The Legal 500. 

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