Hogan Lovells strengthens Private Equity platform with London duo

Michael James is a prominent private equity deals lawyer with over 15 years of experience in private equity real estate transactions. He has developed a leading reputation in the corporate real estate space and is the "go-to" adviser for a number of major European real estate and private equity investors. His practice focuses on structured acquisitions, joint ventures, finance, fund investments, and hotel acquisitions and operations, as well as cross-border transactions.

Edward Meadowcroft is a leading private equity deals lawyer who specializes in advising on the full spectrum of private equity real estate transactions, including advising on acquisitions and disposals, restructurings, joint ventures and management agreements. He has experience in advising both UK and international clients operating across a variety of jurisdictions, and regularly works on significant cross-border mandates.

James Doyle, Practice Group Leader, Corporate & Finance at Hogan Lovells, commented: “Our clients are navigating increasingly complex cross-border investment structures and are seeking sophisticated private equity advisers with deep real estate expertise. Michael and Edward’s arrival reflects our ambition to be the firm of choice for private equity investors in this space. Their addition, alongside our recent team hires in Greater China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, and Italy, demonstrates the deliberate investment we are making in our global Private Equity platform and broader private capital offering. London is a key hub in this strategy, and these hires further enhance our ability to connect European capital with opportunities around the world.”

Ed Harris, Practice Area Leader - Private Equity & Funds at Hogan Lovells, added: “Private equity flows into real estate remain strong, even amid market volatility. Our clients are focused on complex, cross-border transactions in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., and demand for sophisticated sector-focused legal advice is accelerating. Michael and Edward bring exactly the expertise our clients need in this space."

Dan Norris, Practice Area Leader – Real Estate at Hogan Lovells, said: “Private equity real estate is one of the most dynamic areas of the market, with strong investor appetite for hotels and high-end assets driving some of the most sophisticated transactions. Michael and Edward’s arrival enhances our capability and supports our strategy to be the go-to firm for clients in this sector.”

Michael James commented: “I am looking forward to joining Hogan Lovells’ high-quality Private Equity and Real Estate teams. The firm’s commitment to growing its private equity offering coupled with its global presence and broad real estate offering provide a unique opportunity to support clients in this dynamic sector.”

Edward Meadowcroft added: “The firm's strength across corporate, finance, real estate and private equity makes it one of the most compelling platforms in the market. I am excited to join the team and contribute to its further growth in London and beyond.”

The hires in London build on Hogan Lovells’ recent expansion in Greater China with the arrival of partners David Wang and Meka Meng from Paul Hastings, as well as private equity and funds team hires in Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, and Italy earlier this year. Together, these investments form part of the firm’s deliberate strategy to strengthen its global private equity and funds offering across the G20 economies.