Herbert Smith Freehills has expanded its real estate practice with the hire of Javier Ortega de la Peña as a partner in its Madrid office. Javier's appointment to the expanding real estate team in Europe follows the hire of leading German real estate partner Hans Thomas Kessler and his team last year.

Javier is currently a partner at DAC Beachcroft, Spain. He specialises in acquisitions of commercial property, aeronautical law, town planning and structured financing of real estate and mortgage-secured real estate financing. His clients include German real estate open and closed funds and mortgage banks.
Donald Rowlands, Head of Real Estate (UK and EMEA) at Herbert Smith Freehills, comments: "Having recently launched our Germany practice, Javier's recruitment will help to further strengthen and develop our pan European real estate capabilities. We are seeing an increase in demand from clients who want a pan European real estate offering (not just in the UK). Javier's hire will help us capitalise on these opportunities."

Álvaro Sainz, senior partner in Herbert Smith Freehills' Madrid office, adds: "We are excited to welcome Javier to the firm and his appointment comes at a time when we have seen a significant increase in activity in the real estate sector in Spain."

Javier is cited in Legal 500 EMEA as being ‘client-minded, proactive and reactive’, and has ‘excellent knowledge’. He is also ranked as a leading individual in Chambers Europe 2013.

This news follows the recent announcement of FSR hire William Hallatt who joins as a London partner in April. Upon joining, William will be seconded to our Hong Kong office to lead the firm's FSR team.