HBJ Gateley Wareing has boosted its real estate practice in Manchester with the hire of a real estate partner from Addleshaw Goddard.

Dean Copley, who joined the firm's 30-strong real estate team in Manchester on Monday (18 October), counts several national retailers and property developers among his clients, and focuses on the development and funding of residential, industrial, office and retail premises.

HBJ Gateley senior partner Michael Ward said: "With the opening of our new office in the city at Ship Canal House, we are excited to welcome Dean to the firm."

Manchester senior office partner Rod Waldie added: "[Copley's] track record of working with companies at the highest level combined with his commercial attitude makes him a perfect recruit for us."

The appointment comes two months after HBJ Gateley signed up for new office space in Manchester following the acquisition of 200 staff and lawyers from the now-defunct Halliwells.

The firm moved from its former location at 3 Hardman Square, where it had operated since its Manchester launch at the end of July, taking 31,000 sq ft of space over four floors, after deciding against keeping on the former Halliwells base at Spinningfields.

Copley's departure comes after Addleshaws recently confirmed that a team of eleven litigators are set to leave the firm's London office at the end of this month to launch a new boutique, Enyo Law.