Forsters’ Property Litigation team expands with key partner hire from Herbert Smith Freehills
Forsters, the leading London real estate law firm, announces today that Julia Tobbell has joined the firm as a Partner within its highly regarded Property Litigation practice. Julia joins from Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF).
Julia is a seasoned litigator and has a loyal base of real estate clients. Her practice is focused on advising developers and investors on high profile and complex disputes concerning trophy assets and valuable portfolios. She is an expert at taking matters to trial and has been involved in a number of major cases. Julia also has many years’ experience advising on alternatives to litigation, such as negotiation, mediation and strategic risk management.
This significant appointment will add further expertise to Forsters’ Property Litigation team, particularly in the commercial real estate arena. Julia, formerly a Senior Associate at HSF, is recognised in the leading legal directories – most recently she has been commended by The Legal 500 as a ‘Rising Star’ and, in previous editions, a ‘Next Generation Lawyer’. She has also been named by Chambers UK as an ‘Associate to Watch’: "Interviewees consider her to be a "fantastically good" associate with "superb attention to detail."
Julia Tobbell commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Forsters’ Property Litigation team as a Partner. The practice has an outstanding reputation for delivering first-class advice to an enviable roster of clients. I am very much looking forward to contributing to its further success, and to that of the wider Commercial Real Estate practice. The firm will provide a strong platform for me to build on my previous experience working with major developers, property owners and investment funds on all aspects of commercial property disputes, up to and including significant and lengthy litigation.”
Natasha Rees, Head of Property Litigation at Forsters, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Julia to the team. Her experience and connections in the market will complement perfectly the skills and expertise that already exist within the team and provide further breadth and depth to our overall property litigation offering.”
Julia’s arrival creates a four-partner, 14-lawyer practice (a total of 18 lawyers) that provides clients with the highest levels of technical expertise and industry insight. With strong ties into the firm’s top ranked Commercial Real Estate team, Forsters’ Property Litigation is at the forefront of commercial and residential disputes and risk mitigation.
The practice is ranked highly in both Chambers UK and The Legal 500, with sources reporting: "Forsters are an extremely approachable and client-friendly property litigation practice. They combine expert knowledge of the law with an acute awareness of and sensitivity to the particular needs of their clients."