Global law firm DLA Piper announces the appointment of two leading real estate lawyers to its partnership. Eagul Faigen and Tim Mathers join the firm from Norton Rose Fulbright and Herbert Smith Freehills, respectively, and will commence in the firm's Perth and Brisbane offices on 2 February 2015.
DLA Piper Managing Partner in Australia John Weber said: "The appointment of two highly experienced real estate lawyers to the firm represents a significant development for our growing Real Estate practice in the Asia Pacific region and supports our ambitions for further growth in the corporate and transactional areas of our business."
Eagul Faigen advises on large-scale capital transactions, real estate developments and complex high end leasing for public and private sector clients as well as inbound capital transactions for foreign investors. His experience spans a diverse range of asset classes and sectors including commercial, retail and industrial, agricultural and primary production, airport, tourism, liquor licensing and tertiary education.
Tim Mathers advises on all aspects of commercial property transactions in addition to the real estate aspects of major infrastructure projects and commercial M&A transactions. His experience covers major real estate transactions, real estate joint ventures, property management arrangements, property developments, urban regeneration projects, mining and resources, energy, manufacturing, government tenders and projects, tourism, leisure and hospitality, transport, ports and social infrastructure.
DLA Piper's Australian Head of Real Estate, Les Koltai said: "We've had a very busy 2014, with sustained levels of economic growth and improving global conditions contributing to high levels of investor confidence in the Australian and overseas real estate markets. Eagul and Tim's experience adds considerable depth to our growing practice and their connections in Perth and Brisbane complement our existing platform, enhancing our ability to take on large mandates from our domestic and international clients."
DLA Piper's Head of Real Estate for Asia Pacific, Susheela Rivers, said: "The globalisation of real estate capital has meant our business must respond to the needs of our clients in those key developed and emerging markets. Australia features as a major destination for real estate investors so strengthening the team with quality lawyers such as Tim and Eagul aligns perfectly with our strategy both regionally and internationally."
Les Koltai himself joined DLA Piper in 2012 from Blake Dawson (now Ashurst). The practice has undergone significant transformation since then, cementing DLA Piper's position as a firm of choice for international investors entering or expanding their footprint in the Australian and Asian market.
DLA Piper has recently advised leading domestic and international real estate investors including Investa Property Group, Mirvac Property Group, Charter Hall Group, Challenger, Fortius Funds Management, Blackstone, Abacus Property Group, KWAP, National Pension Scheme of Korea, Heitman International, Fosun Property, CDH Investments, Carlyle and KKR. The firm advised leading global real estate investor, Germany's Union Investment, on the development and acquisition of the Flight Centre HQ in Brisbane in addition to advising Investa on its acquisitions of Sydney's Maritime Trade Tower and its 50 percent stakes in the iconic Piccadilly Centre, 135 King Street and The Glasshouse in Sydney's CBD.
DLA Piper's global Real Estate practice is the largest in the world, ranked World's No. 1 Real Estate practice by Law360 and awarded Global Real Estate Law Firm of the Year by International Who's Who of Business Lawyers for 10 consecutive years.
