Leading independent law firm Brabners has bolstered its real estate practice in Leeds with the appointment of Partners Susan Samuel and Matt Ramsden.
Susan and Matt join from DLA Piper and bring significant experience in investment and asset management, strengthening Brabners’ support for investors, occupiers and developers across the full lifecycle of their assets.
Susan joins the firm with almost 30 years’ experience in real estate. Her practice spans a broad range of commercial property sectors, including retail, leisure and hospitality, offices and life sciences. She has acted for major corporate occupiers on their UK and international real estate requirements and has extensive experience building and leading high-performing teams, having previously led DLA Piper’s 45-strong real estate practice in Leeds.
In her new role she will be focused on investment and property management and will be based across both the Leeds and London office – with a particular focus on the development of the firm’s practice in the capital.
Matt joins Brabners’ investment and property management department and will also be primarily based in the firm’s Leeds office. His experience includes supporting clients with major retail and office assets, as well as advising retail, leisure and hospitality operators on their estate requirements. He also brings particular expertise in helping clients manage high-volume real estate work more efficiently, with a focus on improving processes, streamlining instructions and tailoring support around each client’s portfolio.
Together, Susan and Matt will help further strengthen what is already one of the largest and most active real estate practices in the North of England. The 120-strong team advises blue-chip clients including the Peel Group, Morrisons and Muse Places and has recently acted on some of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration schemes, including the Eden Project North and the £5bn regeneration of Liverpool’s historic waterfront.
Susan Samuel, real estate Partner at Brabners, said: “Brabners has an outstanding real estate practice and I have been hugely impressed by the quality of its people, the strength of its client relationships and the clarity of its growth strategy.
“Leeds and the wider Yorkshire market are home to an exceptional real estate community, with strong investor confidence and major opportunities. At a time when real estate investors and landlords are under increasing pressure to improve performance, manage costs and respond to changing occupier needs, there is a real opportunity to deliver high-quality, commercially focused advice that is built around clients’ priorities.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the team’s continued growth, supporting clients through that changing landscape and helping to build on the strong platform Brabners has already established.”
Matt Ramsden, real estate Partner at Brabners, said: “My work has always focused on helping clients manage complex real estate assets in a way that is practical and commercially focused.
“That is particularly important across retail-led assets, where landlords are continuing to adapt to changing occupier requirements and improve performance across their portfolios.
“Brabners already has a strong real estate platform and client base, particularly in Yorkshire and across the North. Joining the team gives me an exciting opportunity to combine my experience with the firm’s existing capabilities, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Nik White, Managing Partner at Brabners, said: “Susan and Matt are excellent additions to our partnership and bring experience that will further strengthen our real estate practice at an important point in its growth. Susan has an outstanding track record advising real estate investors and corporate occupiers, while Matt’s arrival as partner reflects both the quality of his expertise and the strength of his client-focused approach.
“Their appointments come at an exciting time for Brabners as we continue to build our national reach, invest in specialist expertise in Leeds and across Yorkshire and strengthen our client offering following the launch of our London office. Attracting partners of Susan and Matt’s calibre reflects the strength of our culture, the ambition of our strategy and the quality of the opportunity we can offer to outstanding lawyers in the region and nationally.”
Their arrival comes amid a period of sustained momentum for Brabners, which recently reported record revenues of £60.2m and pre-tax profits of £20.3m, marking an eighth consecutive year of profitable growth. Last month, the firm also opened its permanent office at 4 Coleman Street in the heart of the City of London, marking its entry into the UK’s largest legal market and amplifying its ability to serve clients operating across the UK and internationally.
Brabners has also recently retained its B Corp certification and set out a roadmap to become fully net zero by 2040, reflecting its continued focus on responsible business, social impact and sustainable growth.
Image provided by Brabners
