Forsters

Forsters has hired away a 10-lawyer team from the London office of U.S. firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe to boost its real estate offering.

The team will join U.K. top 100 firm Forsters later this month. The move is led by Orrick's U.K. real estate practice head Anne O'Neill and includes two other partners, Andrew Denye and Sara Branch.

O'Neill was previously the London office leader for Orrick having taken up the role in 2010 from Martin Bartlam, who had been in the role for five years.

Andrew Crabbie, head of the commercial real estate group at Forsters said in a statement: "We are delighted to be joined by a team which not only acts for great clients but will be an excellent fit with our culture and values at Forsters.

"Looking beyond the market disruption we are all experiencing as a result of COVID-19, we are absolutely clear about our commitment to real estate, which has been at the heart of the Forsters business since we launched in 1998."

Simon Willis, partner and Orrick's London office leader added in a statement: "We are very grateful to the real estate team for everything they have contributed to our firm — and we will certainly miss them in our London office. They are at the top of the game in their field and the Forsters platform will be a great fit for their practice and their clients."

Orrick has seen several exits across its European offices in recent months, but picked up a four-partner energy team in London in March.

The firm also announced that it would be permanently closing its Hong Kong office last month.

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