BLP builds real estate with Pinsents partner hire

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has bolstered its real estate practice with the hire of Pinsent Masons partner Andrew Yates.

Yates, who has been at Pinsents since 1994, joins the City firm as co-head of its regeneration and public sector practice alongside Lesley-Anne Avis.

Yates' main area of practice is property development and funding, although he also works on commercial property issues and in the leisure and retail sectors. In the past he has worked with clients including English Partnerships and Wolverhampton City Council.

Prior to joining Pinsent Masons, Yates worked at Slaughter and May and legacy firm Ashurst Morris Crisp.

BLP has made a number of high-profile hires to its property practice in recent years, most recently poaching Herbert Smith heavyweight Chris de Pury.

However, the firm was hit by the departure of property partner Vinay Veneik in January after he hid a number errors he made on transactions, including the failure to pay stamp duties and register transfers of property.

Robert MacGregor, head of real estate at BLP, said: "Andrew has a huge amount of experience in the regeneration sector, which is a key area for both private and public sector clients, and we are delighted to be able to bring in someone of Andrew's stature to enhance it further."

Pinsent Masons property head Adrian Barlow said: "We are grateful to Andrew for the contribution he has made to our business over the years across the UK. He has helped build up a fantastic team serving great clients here at Pinsent Masons, particularly in the public sector, and we wish him well in his new role."