International law firm DAC Beachcroft has appointed partner Alison Key as head of its market-leading real estate team.
Alison, who trained at DACB and has been a partner since 2003, leads the firm's commercial real estate team. She advises on acquisitions, disposals, conditional contracts, development and forward funding agreements, asset management and more. Alison's particular specialism lies in strategic project management, mixed-use schemes, and retail and leisure, including shopping centres and factory outlets.
Alison assumes the role of sector lead on 1 November 2023, replacing Robert Lee, who has held the position since 2011. Robert will remain a partner in DACB’s real estate team, where he specialises in the housebuilding sector.
Commenting on her appointment, Alison said, “We boast one of the largest real estate practices in the UK, with a multi-disciplinary national team spread across six offices. Under Robert's leadership, we have continued to go from strength to strength, growing the team to 170 fee earners, bolstering our stellar client list, and consolidating our standing as the go-to firm in the sector.
“To be taking over the leadership of such a successful and thriving team is a true privilege, and I'm looking forward to building further on the foundations that Robert has put in place."
Robert added, “I want to congratulate Alison on her appointment. She is an outstanding lawyer with years of experience leading high-performing teams. I have every confidence that she will do a superb job expanding on the successes our team has had to date."
DACB advises at every point of the real estate development cycle, from conception to sale, both within the sector where property is the core of the business and also for the real estate interests of organisations in other areas. The firm works with developers, investors, funds, local authorities, NHS Trusts, insurers, as well as all of the UK leading housebuilders.
Over the past few months, the firm has strengthened its London market offering to commercial real estate clients with the appointment of partner Steven Pitchford, who joined from Macfarlanes. It also hired health real estate partners Victoria Armstrong and Lisa Geary in Newcastle and Leeds, respectively, both of whom specialise in public sector property and advising healthcare professionals.
