International law firm CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of Amit Unadkat as a partner in the firm’s Real Estate practice in London. Amit’s appointment coincides with a leadership refresh in the firm’s UK Real Estate Group.
Amit Unadkat joins CMS
Amit joins the firm from PwC Legal where he led their UK Real Estate practice. Amit has extensive expertise advising clients across the full spectrum of real estate transactions, with a particular focus on big ticket investment transactions, real estate corporate finance and M&A, joint ventures, fundings, tax structuring and group reorganisations.
Amit is ranked as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in Legal 500 , in which he is described as the ‘perfect balance of a commercially aware and legally technical lawyer’ and ‘someone who understands the wider context of clients’ businesses’.
Commenting on Amit’s arrival, John Cumpson, CMS partner and Co-Head of CMS UK Real Estate, says: “We are delighted that Amit has joined CMS. Amit’s experience and entrepreneurial approach will complement and further strengthen our market-leading real estate offering, enhancing the service we deliver for clients. This is an increasingly busy time for our Real Estate Transactions team and, with high levels of activity set to continue, this is the perfect time to welcome Amit to our ranks.”
Amit comments: “I’m very excited to be joining CMS’s market leading Real Estate practice. CMS’s strong international reputation and cross-border capabilities present exciting opportunities for my practice, especially global inbound investors who are currently very active. I look forward to working with the team to further bolster CMS’s market position for real estate advice.”
Leadership changes in UK Real Estate Group
As of 1 May, Marie Scott has taken up the role of Co-Head of CMS UK Real Estate alongside John Cumpson. Marie replaces Mark Heighton who becomes Co-Head of the CMS International Real Estate Group.
Marie acts for a variety of private sector clients including Google, Quintain, Pocket Living and Wayfair in relation to complex mixed used development and regeneration projects; mixed used and office investment, both by UK clients and overseas inward investors; and occupier pre-lets on development schemes. She recently advised law firm Hogan Lovells in connection with its pre-let agreement to take up space at Royal London Asset Management’s upcoming Holborn Viaduct scheme.
Additionally, Clare Thomas and Andrew Banton have been appointed to lead the CMS UK Real Estate Sector Group (which brings together all of the disciplines within CMS involved in the Real Estate Sector), taking over from Ciaran Carvalho who has stepped down as Head of UK Real Estate and from his role as leading the Real Estate Sector. Ciaran remains fully committed to the business, primarily focusing on the continued development of the firm’s Asia-Pacific investor clients.
Clare has significant experience acting for property companies, funds, institutions, and international investors including Credit Suisse, Angelo Gordon, the City of London and the Arora Group, on acquisitions, disposals, lettings and developments. Her transactional expertise spans a range of sectors including office, hotel, retail and mixed use. She is a Board member and Treasurer elect of the IPF, one of Bisnow’s 51 most influential women in real estate and appeared in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 List. Clare leads the firm’s annual Thought Leadership research for the Real Estate Group and speaks extensively at industry events on topics including the future of offices, sustainability and real estate post the pandemic.
Andrew acts for owners including institutions, pension funds, property funds, and local authorities on all aspects of acquisition, disposal, and management of their property portfolios. He also represents numerous occupiers in the retail office and leisure sectors with a focus on US corporates, as well as advising developers in the office, residential and student accommodation sectors. He leads the firm’s China/Hong Kong inward investment team advising clients on investment, development, and financing projects. Recently he acted on one of the largest City transactions, advising the buyer of 10 Fenchurch St.
CMS has over 650 real estate lawyers globally and has the largest Real Estate team in Europe. The firm advises across all the major core sectors and alternative asset classes, offering clients the full spectrum of real estate legal services. CMS’s Real Estate practice is recognised in Chambers and Legal 500 UK and Europe with more than 20 top-tier rankings and, in 2021, CMS UK was named Real Estate Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards.
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