DLA Piper strengthens real estate team
LAW firm DLA Piper has recruited David Hayes to lead its real estate practice in Birmingham.
It is a return to the law firm for Mr Hayes, a former partner in previous entity Dibb Lupton Broomhead.
He succeeds Martin Hallam, who has relocated to the Manchester office.
Russell Orme, office managing partner in Birmingham, said: “David’s arrival is an important step in DLA Piper’s bid to enhance its investment and development capabilities.
“In addition to his expertise as a commercial property lawyer David has a wealth of management experience which will add significant value to the team.”
Mr Hayes is a highly-rated property lawyer, with significant investment portfolio and development expertise. He acts for UK and international developers, property companies and institutional investors and has considerable knowledge of the Birmingham market.
He joins from Clarke Willmott, where he was head of the Birmingham office and the commercial property department.
Prior to that Mr Hayes was head of Warner Cranston’s commercial property department in Coventry for seven years, becoming UK head of real estate when the firm merged with Reed Smith in 2001.
He was a partner at Dibb Lupton Broomhead from 1992 to 1998. While at the firm he was head of property in London, before moving to Birmingham in the same role.
Mr Hayes joins former Clarke Wilmott colleagues, partner Fiona Thomson and associate Robert Biddlecombe, who joined DLA Piper last year as part of its planned expansion of the real estate practice in Birmingham.
Richard Crossfield, DLA Piper’s UK head of real estate, said: “I am delighted to welcome David back to DLA Piper.
“His knowledge of the market, management experience and capabilities in the area of development will be of considerable benefit to our practice in Birmingham and the real estate team as a whole.
“David’s arrival also confirms our commitment to the investment and development market.”
Mr Hayes said: “I am delighted to be back with DLA Piper and very much looking forward to working with the team and my former colleagues.
“There is a great and exciting opportunity to develop our real estate practice in Birmingham.”
