Baker & McKenzie and Addleshaw Goddard have taken lead roles on the £197m merger between global real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle and property consultancy King Sturge.

Bakers was instructed by longstanding client Jones Lang LaSalle on the deal, which will create the largest property consulting group in the UK and Continental Europe.

The firm's team was led by London corporate partner Helen Bradley, who worked alongside employment partner Monica Kurnatowska and real estate partner Justin Salkeld.

Addleshaws, meanwhile, was instructed by King Sturge on the deal, which will see Jones Lang LaSalle pay £197m to the partners of King Sturge, comprising £98m in cash at the close of the deal last week (31 May), with the balance paid over a five-year period.

The national law firm fielded a team under London corporate partner William Wastie, who heads the professional practices division. He was assisted by fellow corporate partners Aster Crawshaw and Nick Pearey – who was made up to partner in this year's promotions round – as well as managing associate Adina Fargher.

All 43 King Sturge offices and businesses across Europe – including 24 in the UK – will become part of Jones Lang LaSalle and will operate under its brand.

Wastie said: "The merger is particularly interesting because King Sturge operated under a limited liability partnership (LLP) structure – the members' interests in which and its assets effectively being transferred to Jones Lang LaSalle, which is a listed entity in the US."

He added: "Addleshaws is well-known for its partnership and LLP expertise, and we were therefore able to help the members navigate the complexities of an owner-managed business combining with a corporate group together with significant input from our corporate M&A team."