Simmons & Simmons has strengthened its UK Corporate, Real Estate and Private Equity practices by hiring leading private equity real estate partner Oliver s’Jacob.
Joining Simmons from the London office of a US law firm, Oliver brings over two decades of working in private equity real estate across Europe, establishing a reputation as one of the market’s leading lawyers.
Specialising in complex, cross-border real estate transactions, Oliver’s practice focuses on assisting private capital providers and real estate asset managers invest in real estate and real estate-heavy businesses across Europe.
With experience advising on investments from some of the world’s largest private equity real estate funds in the UK and Europe, Oliver brings a strong track record and wide, multidisciplinary expertise spanning M&A, funds, real estate, tax and finance.
Oliver’s hire will add depth across the firm, supporting Simmons’ award-winning UK Corporate practice, its leading asset management M&A offering, its international real estate team, as well as its private equity capabilities.
Commenting on the hire, Arthur Stewart, partner in the UK Corporate practice, said: “We are delighted that Oliver is joining our growing UK Corporate practice and Private Equity team. His multi-disciplinary skillset blending funds, transactional corporate and real estate expertise consolidates our leading position in AMIF M&A, whilst also strengthening our growing private equity offering.”
Commenting on the hire, Ali Crosthwaite, partner in the UK Real Estate practice and co-lead of the firm’s cross-border real estate group, said: Co-investment is an ever increasing feature of our market and Oliver’s hire is a significant addition to our capability in this area. Very few in the industry have Oliver’s highly specialised skillset and our cross-border real estate team is very much looking forward to partnering with him to deliver best-in-class advice across the multiple markets where we operate.
On joining Simmons, Oliver commented: “I’m excited to be joining Simmons & Simmons and helping them expand their existing private equity and real estate offerings with a view to creating a truly first class private equity real estate practice with full European coverage. The firm is an ideal fit for my practice and clients, given its sector strengths in asset management, investment funds and real estate, with market-leading regulatory and tax practices to support them.
“I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues across Europe to provide an even better service for my clients and to help generate exciting new opportunities for the firm.