We have doubled the size of our Real Estate practice in Leeds in just 12 months.
The team, headed up by Real Estate partner, Philip Gregory, launched in late 2015 and has quickly established itself within the Yorkshire property market, with key clients including Lidl and construction and development business, Peveril Securities Limited.
Over the past twelve months the team has doubled in size, going from five to ten people at present.
The recent appointment of a second partner into the team, Barbara Rollin who joined from Shoosmiths, has further expanded the capacity and capabilities of the team, particularly with Barbara’s experience in property finance matters totalling in excess of twenty years.
Further recent appointments include Senior Associate, Christopher King from DWF, solicitor Emma Wilson, and paralegal Melanie Parsons.
Notable property deals for the team in the last 12 months include the instruction by retail footwear specialists, Pavers, to negotiate and complete lease assignments, variations and new leases on a portfolio of their retail properties. The team has worked on over 30 properties to date, the majority of which have now completed.
Real Estate partner, Philip Gregory said: “The department is going from strength to strength, with the growth in team size necessary to accommodate the growing number of instructions received and opportunities opening up to us. I genuinely believe being able to offer a national legal offering but that is focused on the local regional market is unique and will serve us and our clients well going forward.
“Barbara’s appointment has meant we have not only a first class and very experienced lawyer in the team but also one with a specialism and experience in real estate finance which I believe is unrivalled in the market.
“I am very hopeful that as we continue this success, we will be able to grow the team further in the coming months.”
Head of Gateley’s Leeds office said: “The team are a real asset to the thriving Leeds office and are strategically well placed to serve our growing client base.
“The office is a success story in itself, having started with just six staff in 2012 and has now grown to a team of well over 100 at the start of this year.”
Gateley Plc was named as the most active M&A legal advisor in Yorkshire for 2018, with the Leeds office now positioned as the third largest in the Gateley network. Gateley are also one of the sponsors of Tour de Yorkshire 2019, which will take place in May this year.