An experienced commercial property lawyer and former Shoosmiths partner has taken up the role of legal director in the real estate team of South East law firm Blake Morgan.
Graham Bennett is a specialist in the legal aspects of the purchase, sale and development of commercial property for a range of clients including private property investors, developers, local authorities and retailers.
He joins Blake Morgan from Shoosmiths, where he was a partner for more than 20 years, and works in the firm's real estate team at its offices in Chandler's Ford, Southampton.
Bennett was responsible for the founding of the real estate department at the Solent offices of Shoosmiths in 1994, and his client roster includes household names including Forelle Estates, Southampton City Council, RBS, HSBC, Vivergo Fuels, Selex and Esso Petroleum.
"As investment in the region continues, the commercial property market on the South Coast is going from strength to strength," he said.
"The team at Blake Morgan has a fantastic reputation both regionally and nationally, as demonstrated by the recent award win, underlined by its Tier 1 ranking in the 2016 Legal 500 survey. I am looking forward to helping drive forward the growth of the firm’s real estate service, in line with the increasing demand for their expertise in this area."
Blake Morgan partner Sean Palka, who leads the firm's South Cost real estate and corporate occupier team, added: "Graham brings with him a wealth of experience, legal acumen and knowledge of the region.
"We are delighted to welcome such a well-regarded and high-profile figure to Blake Morgan's formidable real estate team."
Blake Morgan operates from offices in Southampton, Portsmouth, Reading, Oxford, London and Cardiff.