Pinsent Masons appoints new partner to enhance property and real estate expertise in France

Denis, who joins from DLA Piper, has extensive experience advising on asset and share deals, and complex transactions, including Pan-European office, shopping centre and industrial projects. During his career he has advised on the launch of investment platforms and REITs, joint ventures and on French aspects of international portfolio acquisitions.

The hire follows the recruitment of tax and real estate specialist Eglantine Lioret and her team who joined the firm's Paris office in February, and Denis and property associate Elodie Seddoh, will join existing property partner Anne-Laure Fonade and her team.

Head of real estate at Pinsent Masons, James Crookes, said: "Denis' experience of direct and corporate real estate transactions, particularly in logistics and alternative asset classes such as hotels and student accommodation, will add bench strength to our European real estate capabilities.

"Our aim is to build an international investment team, capable of supporting our real estate investor clients as they increasingly develop international portfolios. Recruitment in Germany, France, Ireland and Spain over the last two years has been critical to this. Denis' hire is another important step in realising the firm's international ambition for real estate."

During his career Denis has advised a number of high profile clients including Gazeley, Cohen Brothers Realty Corp, DTZ Investors France, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels and Harrison Street Real Estate.

In 2017, Denis was instrumental in the launch of a French JV platform for US fund, Harris Street Real Estate, specialising in student accommodation. The deal involved co-ordinating the provision of French law and Luxembourg law advice as well as acting as a bridge between the client and the French Montpellier-based real estate developer.

Commenting on his move to the firm, Denis said: "I am looking forward to joining Pinsent Masons, supporting the delivery of the firm's global real estate sector strategy for the benefit of its clients and working alongside Anne-Laure Fonade in developing the property practice in Paris. The firm's capabilities and reputation as a leading player in the real estate industry will enable me to further develop both my domestic and global practice.