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Baker McKenzie, Clayton Utz and NRF all add new real estate partners

Some of Australia’s biggest law firms are shoring up their leadership ranks in real estate practice groups, appointing new partners in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney.

user iconJerome Doraisamy 12 October 2023 Big Law
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Some of Australia’s biggest law firms are shoring up their leadership ranks in real estate practice groups, appointing new partners in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney.

Baker McKenzie

Global law firm Baker McKenzie has appointed Emily Peverill as its newest partner in real estate, who will be based in Melbourne.

 
 

Ms Peverill comes across from fellow global practice Herbert Smith Freehills, where she served for nearly 18 years, most recently as an executive counsel.

She advises, the firm listed, on commercial property matters, including acquisition and disposal of commercial, industrial, and retail properties, negotiation of commercial contracts, complex leasing, and property development projects.

Baker McKenzie national managing partner Anne-Marie Allgrove said: “Emily is a market-leading real estate lawyer with over 17 years’ experience advising corporate and government clients on a broad range of complex real estate matters throughout Australia. We are thrilled to have her join our growing Melbourne practice.”

The firm’s head of commercial real estate, Sebastian Busa, noted: “Emily joins us at a time of significant growth in our Melbourne practice, which will draw heavily on her extensive experience working on complex commercial real estate transactions and infrastructure projects throughout Australia.”

Bakers’ lead partner for Melbourne commercial real estate, Dora Stilianos, offered: “Emily is an outstanding lawyer and well respected amongst her peers in the profession. She is a marvellous complement to our highly capable and experienced team, and I’m thrilled to be working with Emily to continue to grow and expand our reach.”

Ms Peverill added: “I am attracted to a highly respected firm that offers a one-stop shop for real estate legal services across Australia and the globe.

“It’s an amazing platform with top-tier lawyers and an impressive client base. I am very much looking forward to the next chapter of my career.”

Clayton Utz

At national law firm Clayton Utz, Adam Peppinck has joined as a partner in its Canberra office.

Mr Peppinck has come across from fellow BigLaw firm Mills Oakley. He brings more than two decades of experience acting on a range of structured property transactions and has advised both public and private sector clients on leasing, divestment, acquisition, and property development matters. In addition to his expertise in property law, he advises on planning and probity matters.

He is also the chair of the ACT Law Society’s property law committee, a member of the ACT division of the Property Council of Australia’s planning and residential committee, a board member of Canberra Contemporary Art Space, and an elected councillor of the ACT Law Society Council.

Clayton Utz national practice group leader for real estate Andrew Steele said: “Adam is a superb fit for our market-leading team.

“Adam’s longstanding client relationships, including with [the] Commonwealth government, his reputation as a leading real estate lawyer and his energetic approach made him the obvious choice for our team. We’re thrilled to have Adam and his talented team on board.”

Mr Peppinck noted: “I’m excited to expand my practice with the exceptional and market-leading real estate team at Clayton Utz. It’s an honour to join the partnership.”

Norton Rose Fulbright

At global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, Astrid Beemster is the newest real estate partner, based in the firm’s Sydney office.

She has come across from international consulting firm Ernst & Young, where she had been a partner in the legal team since 2020, prior to which she served as a partner and senior associate at fellow global practices DLA Piper and King & Wood Mallesons, respectively.

Ms Beemster has, the firm said in a statement, particular expertise in advising investment funds on capital partnering and transactions but also advises on development projects and leasing and asset management and assists large companies on their premises requirements.

NRF Australian chief executive partner Alison Deitz said: “Astrid has built a strong market reputation in real estate law and is particularly well known for being a lead legal advisor on major real estate transactions for institutional real estate investors and companies across property and logistics, energy, infrastructure and student accommodation.

“Her significant experience and complementary skills will bolster our strong national real estate practice.”

Ms Beemster commented: “I am excited to be joining Norton Rose Fulbright, where my institutional property experience will be a great fit with not just the firm’s extensive national real estate team but also with partners across projects and construction, corporate M&A, tax, banking and finance, and environment and planning.

“Being a global law firm, I also see significant opportunities to work with foreign investors that are attracted to Australian real estate assets.”

Jerome Doraisamy

Jerome Doraisamy

Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.

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