Bird & Bird strengthens its Real Estate practice with the appointment of Peter Nicholson as partner in London

Peter joins from Russell-Cooke where he was a partner in the firm's Real Estate team. His expertise includes acquisitions and disposals, investment, landlord and tenant, security and finance, as well as development and tax restructuring. Peter's practice spans two key sectors: hotels, entertainment and leisure as well as office and industrial investment. Peter was named in the Legal 500 in both 2018 and 2019.

Bird & Bird's Real Estate practice strategy is to expand the London team as part of its international growth plan and align with other key areas within the firm where there is a strong real estate element, primarily in the Retail & Consumer and Technology & Communications sector groups. The addition of Peter to the team fits perfectly with this strategy.

Jonathan Baker, head of the Real Estate practice at Bird & Bird says: "The quality and experience of our Real Estate team enables us to seamlessly and consistently handle our clients' real estate needs internationally. Peter's arrival at Bird & Bird will help take our Real Estate practice to the next level. I am very much looking forward to working with him."

Mark Abell and Graeme Payne, co-heads of the Retail & Consumer sector group comment: "We are delighted to welcome Peter to Bird & Bird. We have a strong international Hotel and Leisure team which acts for a large portfolio of owners, investors and brands and is particularly active throughout Europe and Asia. Working with Karen Friebe, the head of our international Hotels & Leisure team, Peter's experience in the hotels, entertainment and leisure sectors will complement our existing offering and strengthen our capabilities both locally and internationally."

Peter added: "I am delighted to join a globally respected firm like Bird & Bird. The legal market for real estate services will change rapidly in the next five to 10 years, with price pressure and competition as particular issues in our increasingly commoditized industry. I look forward to working alongside a team of energetic and commercially-minded colleagues at Bird & Bird in order to build my practice and address these challenges head on."