Linklaters' former UK real estate chief Anne Byrne is set to take up a new role as FTSE 250-listed Capital & Counties Properties' (Capco's) first in-house lawyer.

Byrne, a partner at Linklaters since 2001, is expected to leave the firm in September and will join Capco in February 2013, when she will serve as the principal legal adviser to the board and the company's senior management.

Byrne has advised Capco on a number of transactions over recent years, notably its joint venture with entities owned by Hong Kong's Kwok family to develop a 7.5 acre site in London's Earls Court in 2011.

Capco chief executive Ian Hawksworth commented: "[Byrne's] wealth of experience and knowledge in UK real estate law will be a great addition to the company as we continue to pursue our ambitious strategy going forward."

Byrne resigned from Linklaters in April, with the magic circle firm appointing Andy Bruce to succeed her as UK real estate chief, a role she took up at the start of 2011 when she replaced Patrick Plant, who had served as both UK and global real estate chief. Brussels partner Yves Moreau took over the global practice leadership.

Other headline deals Byrne handled during her time at Linklaters include advising on the £340m development and pre-let of UBS' headquarters on London's Broadgate Estate in 2010, while she also led a team advising Development Securities on the £2bn Wood Wharf project in 2004.

Linklaters City real estate practice has seen a number of departures in recent months including partners Huw Baker and Julian Innes-Taylor, who left the firm to join LG alongside Herbert Smith real estate partner Clare Fielding.