Squire Patton Boggs has strengthened its global Real Estate Practice with the appointment of Estelle Vernejoul and Thomas Coëffé, both of whom join the firm as partners in its Paris office.
Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2012, Mme. Vernejoul was at Eversheds Sutherland for five years, before setting up as a founder and partner of her own law office AVOCATALYSE, specialising in real estate and construction. She advises on real estate transactions, portfolio management and leasing, real estate and construction projects, litigation and urban planning law. Mme. Vernejoul will transition to the firm with associate Angélique Charrier.
M. Coëffé was previously a real estate counsel at Taylor Wessing. He advises on large-scale real estate transactions and projects, with expertise in M&A, outsourcing and financing, as well as asset management. M. Coëffé has a particular specialism in the hospitality sector, with a track record in advising on hotel acquisitions and financing. He joins the firm with associate Elise Milani.
“A strong real estate capability in Paris is important for the continued development of our services across Europe,” commented European head of the firm’s Real Estate Practice, Matthew Dalzell. “Estelle and Thomas are experienced lawyers with skills that both complement and fit well together. Thomas brings a focus on development, investment and private equity transactions, while Estelle balances these areas with portfolio management and, importantly, brings expertise in construction, litigation and urban planning.”
Paris managing partner Carole Sportes added: “With our growth in Paris we are seeing increasing demand for real estate, both in terms of supporting the transactional activity of other practices, as well as servicing client needs more generally. Estelle and Thomas also offer global synergies in key industry sectors such as hospitality and leisure and will be very much valued locally and at a firmwide level.”
Estelle Vernejoul and Thomas Coëffé are the latest partners to join Squire Patton Boggs in Paris, following the hire last month of private equity lawyers Maxime Dequesne and Anthony Guillaume, and acquisition leverage finance lawyer Benjamin Marché.