Nabarro and Eversheds have scored roles on leading care home company Sunrise Senior Living's acquisition by US group Health Care REIT in a deal valued at $4.3bn (£2.7bn).

The two firms took the lead on UK aspects of Ohio-based Health Care REIT's investment in the retirement housing firm's property portfolio, which also included the related sale of Sunrise's management business to a consortium led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR).

Nabarro landed a first-time mandate from Health Care REIT on the transaction, led by head of healthcare Warren Taylor and supported by corporate partner Caroline Newsholme and real estate partner Michael Logan.

Nabarro acted alongside US firms Sidley Austin, which was instructed on corporate issues; Arnold & Porter, which advised on commercial matters; Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, which provided tax advice; and Toronto outfit Goodmans. Offshore firm Bedell Cristin acted on Jersey and Guernsey law aspects.

Eversheds, the principal UK legal adviser for Sunrise, fielded corporate partner Neil Matthews and real estate partner William Naunton. The main US legal counsel was Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, with corporate partners Adam Emmerich and David Lam advising the seller.

The $130m (£640,000) sale of Sunrise's management business handed roles to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett for KKR, with a team led by corporate partner Marni Lerner, while Paul Hastings' Chicago office advised Beecken Petty O'Keefe, which was also part of the acquiring consortium.

Taylor said:  "I can see new investors coming into the market from overseas – for example, it would be reasonable to assume that other US REITs are looking at the UK, as they have the firepower to enter the market. This could be the first deal of several others to come."