International law firm Ashurst announces the appointment of real estate and asset finance expert Filip Kurkowski to its finance team in Frankfurt as of February. Filip joins from Baker McKenzie where he worked since 2016. Prior to that, Filip was a member of Allen & Overy’s banking and finance practice for more than 15 years.
Mr. Kurkowski advises banks, private equity real estate funds, mezzanine lenders and mezzanine investors on all aspects of real estate and asset finance including mezzanine financings. In the real estate finance sector, Filip advises private equity investors on the acquisition of commercial and residential portfolios as well as banks on financing commercial properties. In asset finance, he acts for arrangers, debt providers, lessors and lessees on the financing of mobile assets.
Tobias Krug, managing partner of Ashurst in Germany, commented:
“We are delighted that Filip is joining the banking team to work with partners Anne Grewlich, Bernd Egbers and Derk Opitz . Having a second partner focussing on real estate and asset finance will allow us to strengthen further our offering to corporates, investors and banks in these areas.”
Global head of real estate Hugh Lumby, added:
“The real estate market in Germany continues to be very active and the most attractive market for inbound investment in the Eurozone. With a stable micro economic environment and continuously low interest rates, Germany’s status as ‘safe haven’ for inbound investment is only set to continue and highly regarded specialists like Filip will help us to capitalise even further on all opportunities.”
Filip Kurkowski said:
“Ashurst offers the perfect platform given the firm’s exceptional credentials and strategic focus on real estate, finance and private equity. I am really looking forward to working with the global team to drive the practice forward.”
Ashurst’s German banking and finance practice advises banks and alternative lenders, private equity firms and corporate on domestic and cross-border acquisitions, real estate, asset and infrastructure/project finance, as well as on financial restructuring and corporate lending. Filip’s appointment follows hiring securitisation specialist Martin Kaiser in August 2017, who also joined from Baker McKenzie.
Ashurst’s real estate finance practice provides legal advice on all areas of finance where the underlying asset class is real estate. The team works closely with the real estate investment and development, tax, construction, planning, environmental, structured finance, loan portfolios and restructurings teams.
Source: www.ashurst.com
