DLA Piper has bolstered its Real Estate practice in Paris, with the hires of partners Olivia Michaud and Antonia Raccat, alongside their team of three counsels and two associates.

Olivia Michaud is known for her focus on development and construction and her ability to lead client development projects at all stages of a project. Acting primarily on behalf of French institutional investors, she also deals with numerous assets.

Antonia Raccat advises major institutional real estate investors both in France and internationally on all aspects of their investment transactions - including acquisitions, disposals, creation of real-estate funds and joint ventures - as well as on complex financing transactions, where Antonia is acknowledged to have market-leading knowledge.

These arrivals confirm DLA Piper's commitment to the real estate sector, especially in France where it is now one of the leading firms in the market. DLA Piper in France now offers a comprehensive, unique range of services to all participants in the real estate sector. The team's respective areas of focus means that the firm can meet all requirements regarding land management, development and construction, large and complex transactions, financing, asset management and property management.

Antoine Mercier, partner at DLA Piper and head of the Real Estate team in Paris said: "Real Estate has always been central to DLA Piper's business in France. The arrival of Olivia and Antonia, who have a reputation for excellence, supports our ambition to offer clients both in France and abroad a seamlessly integrated service, using the skills and techniques that enable us to add value consistently in this sector."

Olaf Schmidt, DLA Piper Real Estate Group Head, said: "The arrival of Antonia, Olivia and their team strengthens DLA Piper's position as a leading international player in the real estate market. Together with Antoine Mercier, they will boost the growth of our Real Estate department, which is expanding rapidly, within a firm where collective success is increasingly driven by collaborative practices."

Olivia Michaud and Antonia Raccat added: "We are delighted to join DLA Piper in Paris. The firm has a unique strategy and we were attracted by its open-minded, dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit. We know Antoine well and, with the rest of the team, we are keen to give our clients the benefit of DLA Piper's skills and highly regarded international network, particularly in the real-estate sector."