Wragge & Co's full-service Real Estate group joined by former Macfarlanes partner

Wragge & Co has enhanced its real estate capability with the hire of former Macfarlanes partner Tim Steele as a consultant in its full-service Real Estate group.

An experienced and respected real estate lawyer, Tim Steele acts for property investors and developers. His high-profile track record includes advising on a range of town centre, office and residential developments for clients including Centros, Caledonia Investments, P&O Developments and Development Securities PLC.

Tim Steele became a Macfarlanes partner in 1994, heading the firm's Data Centre Practice Group from 2008. His data centre credentials include advising Spire Technology on developments across the south-east. He will work closely with real estate partner and data centre expert Mark Chester to develop Wragge & Co's data centre practice.

Tim Steele said: "Wragge & Co has both an excellent reputation and a genuine commitment to the further development and expansion of its property practice in the London market. It offers the full range of legal services and commercial thinking that sophisticated property clients require."

Adrian Bland, head of real estate, said: "London is a huge and important market, particularly for real estate investment. We see real opportunities for Wragge & Co, which offers something distinctive, to win new business and increase market share. Tim is a major player with a lot of experience and we're very pleased to welcome him to the firm."

As well as expanding in London, Wragge & Co's Real Estate group has added another partner in Paris. Public law specialist Bruno Richard has joined the firm from the Paris office of Orrick. His arrival takes the total number of Paris partners to 11 and the total number of real estate partners to 32.

Wragge & Co's 150-lawyer Real Estate group operates as one team from offices in Birmingham, London and Paris. This 'single team' model ensures clients receive consistently excellent and cost-effective commercial legal advice where and how they want it.

Highlights from the past 12 months include advising Argent on the £190 million sale of eight buildings in Birmingham's mixed-use development Brindleyplace and a £300 million joint venture between St. Modwen and Persimmon. The firm also appointed three real estate new directors - Julia McNaught (residential development), Nisha Jassal (commercial development and investment) and Helen Emmerson (retail).