International law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has boosted the capabilities of its funds team with the appointment of Justin Cornelius, who will join the Corporate practice as a partner in London.
Justin, currently a partner at Nabarro, is a leading funds practitioner with more than 10 years’ experience. He specialises in investment funds and complex joint ventures in the real estate sector and has extensive experience advising on structuring and equity raisings for private equity real estate funds as well as corporate wrapped acquisitions and disposals of commercial real estate. Justin’s client-base includes institutional funds and investors, public and private property companies and fund managers.
BLP, which provides funds and investors with advice on a broad range of investment vehicles, has a mandate to build its private equity real estate capabilities. Highlighting BLP’s continued programme of investment in its Corporate practice, Justin’s appointment follows the firm’s recent announcements about the recruitment of private equity lawyer Cath Shirley and corporate M&A specialist Lisa O’Neill, who join in July and August respectively. They follow leading M&A lawyers, David Barnes from Linklaters, who joined the firm’s London office in March, and Alan Paul, formerly at Allen & Overy, who joined in May.
Antony Grossman, BLP funds partner, commented: “I have known Justin for some time; he is an outstanding funds lawyer who is much admired in the market and I am confident he will be a valuable addition to the team. His expertise, particularly in real estate and private equity fund formation, will enable us to build on our existing capabilities and will also strengthen the depth of our offering. By expanding our funds business we will be well placed to develop our client relationships and leverage new opportunities for Corporate and other practices within the firm.”
Justin said: “BLP’s has a clear growth strategy for the funds market and excellent client relationships, including those with whom I have worked with previously. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to build the practice.”
