Squire Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs strengthens London real estate finance office




Law firm Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Jonathan Lent as partner for its financial services practice group in its London office.

Jonathan joins the company from Gowling WLG, where he was a partner and co-led the firm’s real estate finance, healthcare, and hotel finance practices.

He specialises in advising banks, debt funds, alternative lenders, investors, developers, listed corporates, and private equity funds on real estate finance transactions in the UK and across Europe.

Jonathan has experience in providing bespoke debt financing solutions secured on commercial and residential structured real estate investment and development, including operational assets such as hotels, care homes, senior living, and student accommodation.

He also has experience advising on the funding of shopping centres, offices, industrial and logistics facilities, and portfolio transactions.

“The talented team at Squire Patton Boggs has strong relationships with diverse lenders, investors and developers, and deep sector knowledge, making it an ideal platform to expand the practice,” Jonathan commented.

Paula Laird, leader of the financial services practice in EMEA at Squire Patton Boggs, added: “Jon is a versatile finance lawyer with a successful track record across the full spectrum of real estate finance. 

“His additional expertise includes advising on Islamic-compliant investment and development deals, restructuring distressed real estate debt, and loan-on-loan and loan-to-own transactions.” 

Matt Dalzell, head of the European real estate practice group at Squire Patton Boggs, stated: “This is a significant addition to our real estate offering.

“The extra resources and skills Jon and the team bring will enhance our client services, and the significant sector experience in hospitality and leisure, senior living and student accommodation complements our strong credentials and appetite for expansion in these areas.”

The firm has also appointed Bradley Silver as a director in the London real estate practice.

This follows a wave of investment in the company’s financial services division, which has seen two recent partner promotions — Douglas Anderson in Columbus and Tomohiko Kamimura in Tokyo — and multiple lateral hires this year, including Kate Sherrard in Singapore and Jennifer Val in New York.

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