Blacks Solicitors expands real estate finance team

Law firm Blacks Solicitors is proudly enhancing its Real Estate Finance division in response to a thriving market, having appointed three legal professionals in just three months, nearly doubling the size of the team. Currently, the Real Estate Finance team contributes more than 20% of the department's overall turnover, a notable achievement underscored by the significant growth in average deal size over the last five years, particularly as they engage in more 8-figure transactions than ever.

Through strong recommendations and long-standing industry relationships, the team has rendered support to over 240 clients in the previous financial year. Notable clients include Aldermore Bank PLC, Natwest, Together Commercial Finance, and Handelsbanken. The recent additions to the team include Solicitor Ugochi Nwabuikwu, Associate Solicitor Alex Mathias, and Graduate Solicitor Apprentice Dev Matharu.

Ugochi Nwabuikwu comes with specialisation in secured finance and property refinancing for both separate and dual representation matters. Alex Mathias, having over four years of experience, focuses on advising commercial lenders and borrowers regarding private lending, substantial investment, and development transactions. Dev Matharu is in his development phase in the practice area and is assisting the team while expanding his knowledge.

Reflecting on his new role, Alex noted that “joining Blacks' Real Estate Finance team is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to high-value and complex property finance deals. The team has vast expertise in development, bridging, and portfolio finance transactions, and I look forward to further developing my practical, hands-on experience at the firm.”

The Real Estate Finance team at Blacks Solicitors maintains a strong network with both regional and national clients, collaborating closely with eminent lenders and borrowers. A recent highlight of their expertise included financing a £24.5 million acquisition for a property portfolio encompassing over 200 properties in Yorkshire, showcasing their proficiency in managing high-value, multi-asset deals.

Marcus Kaye, Head of Real Estate Finance at Blacks, expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointments, stating, “we’re delighted to welcome Ugochi, Alex and Dev as we build on the strong progress made in recent years. Their appointments reflect growing demand for our services and further strengthen our Real Estate Finance offering to clients. Looking ahead, this expansion underlines our ambition to continue growing the team, broaden our client base and deepen the trusted relationships we’ve built with lenders and borrowers across the market.”

With a total of 34 partners, Blacks Solicitors delivers a broad spectrum of legal services to both commercial and private clients throughout Yorkshire and the UK. The firm employs over 250 individuals and is committed to investing in its team, continuing to grow and prosper.