International legal business DWF has appointed partner Mark Shepherd to its real estate team in London as the firm continues to expand its City presence. He joins the business from Paul Hastings where he specialised in a broad range of transactional real estate work.

Having originally trained at the bar, Mark has more than 15 years’ experience in the field. His focus is in respect of commercial real estate transactional work acting for a broad spectrum of clients on investment acquisition transactions, joint venture arrangements, development and landlord and tenant. Mark also has significant experience advising on the real estate aspects of large corporate and financial transactions.

With a detailed knowledge of the local and national market and having acted for many leading clients including institutional funds, private equity, specialised and individual investors such as M&G Investments, AXA Real Estate Investment Management and Hilton Hotels, Mark is regularly involved in high-profile transactions. These include the £77m refinance and acquisition finance of the Hawkeye portfolio of properties, prime luxury gateway hotel including services apartments and branded residences and the substantial refurbishment and re-let of premises at Maidenhead Office Park.

Mark has also previously acted on high profile transactions for clients such as advising the Crown Estate in its collaboration with Norges Bank relating to its £1bn Regent Street portfolio.

Toby Askin, National Head of Real Estate, said: ’Mark brings a wealth of experience to DWF which will really enhance our real estate offering. This is a key appointment in our strategic plan to continue building upon the success of our real estate profile within London, the UK and internationally. Mark will bring valuable and significant client relationships to DWF and he will be a very strong addition to the practice.’

Mark Shepherd added: ’DWF has a diverse and fast-growing real estate practice, with a focus on delivering transactional, full service real estate work. With a strong sector focus and commercially-driven insight, the firm is well-placed to continue enhancing its profile across the London real estate market as part of its wider growth and continued enhancement of its European offering. I look forward to working with colleagues both in the UK and internationally.’

DWF has continued to invest in its real estate capability across the business with the appointment of Charles Koskas as a real estate partner in its Paris office, partner Louis Burke who advises on real estate finance in the Dublin office and real estate partner Michael Neary in Dublin.

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