Browne Jacobson expands real estate team

Browne Jacobson has made significant strides in its real estate expansion with the appointment of Simone Ketchell as a real estate litigation partner. This move underscores the firm’s most ambitious expansion in its history, with Simone joining from global firm CMS, bringing with her twenty-five years of experience in real estate litigation. She has established herself as a trusted advisor for FTSE 500 Real Estate businesses, known widely as their “go to” litigator for complex and critical legal issues.

Simone's arrival is part of a larger recruitment campaign that has seen 23 specialist real estate lawyers join the firm within the last year, which includes six partners. This recruitment effort reflects Browne Jacobson’s significant commitment to expanding its real estate capability across its eight-office network in the UK and Ireland. The latest round of appointments includes a substantial group of new arrivals at the Nottingham office, such as six partners - alongside Principal Associates and Senior Associates from esteemed firms like Shoosmiths and K&L Gates.

With Simone on board, Browne Jacobson’s full-service real estate team now comprises over 130 specialists, who collaboratively support both public and private sectors, catering to commercial developers, investors, housing associations, retailers, leisure operators, and public authorities. Their expertise spans a comprehensive array of real estate matters, ranging from planning and financing to construction, development, and estate management.

“I’m excited to join such a highly regarded and forward-thinking firm,” stated Ketchell, reflecting her anticipation for the challenges ahead. “I look forward to working alongside such a dynamic and talented real estate team. Browne Jacobson continues to be a growing force in real estate and increasingly visible in both the private sector and public sector market, with further expansion in the last year in line with client demand."

Sarah Parkinson, Partner and Head of Real Estate at Browne Jacobson, emphasised the importance of Simone’s recruitment: “Recruiting Simone is a reflection of our long-standing commitment to real estate and to being at the forefront of our clients' most important projects and aspirations.” She added that the firm's growing team of over 130 specialists sends a “clear signal about the direction of Browne Jacobson's real estate practice.”

James Coles, Head of Property Litigation, also remarked on the growth of the property litigation team, indicating that Simone's appointment is a significant step in authenticating the firm’s ambition. He noted that with four senior lawyers joining in the last year, they are establishing a robust property litigation offering that aligns with the quality and scale of the broader real estate practice.

Simone's addition enhances Browne Jacobson’s already formidable disputes and litigation capability. The firm operates as a full-service disputes practice, covering aspects such as commercial litigation, arbitration, insurance, and property law for both domestic and international matters. The property litigation team, currently led by James Coles, has dealt with some of the country’s largest and most complex real estate disputes, including cross-border ownership structures and multi-jurisdictional enforcement.

Since her appointment, Simone has contributed to Browne Jacobson's lateral partner recruitment, which now counts 14 new partners across its UK and Ireland network. Other recent appointments span various specialisations, covering sectors such as health, technology, insurance, and employment, thereby underpinning the firm’s broader growth strategy. This strategy focuses on addressing society's most pressing issues while providing a multidisciplinary approach in delivering innovative solutions for clients.