Global law firm Dentons has boosted its European real estate practice with the addition of partner Pascal Schmitz and his associates, Peter Schäfer and Alexandre d’Avout d’Auerstaedt in Paris.
The team joins from King & Spalding, where Schmitz led the real estate and private equity team in France. Prior to that he was a partner for 10 years at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
'This move reflects our long-term strategy to invest in key Western European markets, of which Paris is a top priority,' said Evan Lazar, co-chairman of Dentons’ Global Real Estate Group and Chairman of the Europe Board.
With the recruitment of Schmitz and his team, Dentons’ real estate group in Paris has grown to 20 lawyers delivering full-service real estate investment, development, tax and financing advice to clients across all segments and asset classes.
Pascal Schmitz has more than 20 years of professional experience representing German, French, European and US investment funds on transactions in France and the region. Throughout his career, he has advised on all aspects of commercial real estate and real estate finance, including corporate and investment property acquisitions and disposals, acquisition financing, and joint ventures, as well as real estate funds structuring (including OPCIs). In addition, Schmitz also has extensive experience in all areas of property management, such as commercial leases, development agreements and construction law.
In late January, partner Carlo Merisio joined Dentons' real estate group in Milan with his team from Allen & Overy. Merisio assists Italian and international clients on domestic and multi-jurisdictional acquisitions and disposals covering all asset classes and deal structures including asset deals, share deals, sale and lease-back, as well as joint ventures. He also advises on investment and divestment transactions that involve the establishment of real estate funds or similar structures.
