DWF recruits new Global Head of Development and Investment, as Real Estate team continues expansion

DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has appointed Deepa Deb as Global Head of Development and Investment in its Real Estate practice.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Deepa arrives from Dentons, where she spent the last five years as a partner, and as Head of UK Real Estate for the last three years. Previously she spent 15 years at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, including six years as partner.

Deepa is recognised as a ‘leading individual’ by the Legal 500 2023 and has a wealth of experience acting for domestic and overseas developers, property companies, institutions, and funders.

Her practice includes advising on corporate structures and asset sales, purchases, restructuring and financing of major UK and European real estate assets and portfolios.

Deepa Deb said: “I’m delighted to be joining DWF as Global Head of Development and Investment. The real estate market has become increasingly global; our clients are looking for solutions-focused, proactive legal teams who can provide a one-stop shop in an effective and innovative way. Equally, the legal industry has witnessed a war for talent in the last 18 months: the next generation of lawyer is looking to work in a less conventional way and the traditional law firm model is undoubtedly facing challenges. This is DWF’s USP: the firm is established nationally as well as internationally and being listed gives it an edge over its competitors. I’m very much looking forward to working with Toby and my new colleagues, supporting our clients truly differently and delivering sustained growth for our business.”

Toby Askin, Global Head of Real Estate at DWF, said: “We are really excited to welcome Deepa to our real estate team. As one of the leading real estate lawyers in the UK, Deepa’s experience and expertise will prove invaluable as we continue to grow our practice in the UK and internationally. The market is interestingly poised and Deepa’s arrival demonstrates our genuine commitment as a business to real estate in its own right and the clients that operate in this sector. It is a team that continues to go from strength to strength and that now comprises 40 partners leading a team of 200 dedicated real estate lawyers in 13 locations.”

Deepa’s appointment follows a number of recent hires that strengthen DWF’s full service real estate capabilities. DWF’s London office saw the additions of Yolanda Walker, a construction partner and Alan Barnett, a corporate real estate partner from CMS and Ince, respectively. Also in recent months Jim Jordan, a non-contentious construction partner joined from Weightmans, planning partner John Webster joined from Russell-Cooke, whilst Mark Blair joined as a partner in the Belfast office from Shoosmiths. Damian Fleming from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and Neal Bhattahcharyya from Hogan Lovells have also recently joined the London-focused investment team.