New partner brings added real estate litigation expertise to Wragge & Co

Wragge & Co has appointed a new partner, boosting its litigation capability for retail/shopping centres, developers, investors and corporate occupiers. Dundas & Wilson equity partner and head of litigation (London), Martin Thomas, is joining the Real Estate Litigation team in February 2013.

The third senior figure to join the Real Estate group this year, Martin's appointment follows that of planning partner Duncan Field and regeneration partner Giles Clifford in the spring.

Senior partner Quentin Poole said: "Martin's strong reputation as a litigation expert will be a superb addition to the firm's real estate offering. In particular, his experience specialising in property and commercial disputes for clients will be an advantage as the market continues to improve, as will his proven ability to build highly profitable practices."

Martin Thomas said: "Wragge & Co has a great deal to offer, including one of the UK's leading real estate practices and an excellent track record in property litigation. I will be working closely with head of real estate litigation, Anne Waltham, and the rest of the team to enhance its already strong reputation. I am arriving at a time of expansion and growth, and am looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead."

Martin trained at Herbert Smith, qualifying into the commercial litigation department and becoming a partner in 1997. From 2002 he headed Herbert Smith's property litigation team. In 2007, he joined Dundas & Wilson to develop a contentious practice for the London office. He has grown the team to 15 fee-earners acting across a broad range of sectors.

Chambers 2011 credits Martin with possessing "first rate knowledge" and giving "excellent practical advice".

Recognised in Legal 500 2012 as a "leading practitioner" in property litigation, "proactive in seeking solutions" with "experience of all types of dispute forums", Martin is also an occasional lecturer on the University of Westminster's Masters' course for graduate surveyors.

Led by partner Anne Waltham, Wragge & Co's 12-lawyer strong Real Estate Litigation team advises commercial and residential developers, funds, retailers and major corporates. The team's workload encompasses everything from development and contractual disputes to lease renewals.

Clients include Ballymore, Waterstones, CBRE, John Lewis, LaSalle Investment Management, Persimmon, Royal London, Sanctuary Housing Association and Young & Co.'s Brewery P.L.C.

The Real Estate Litigation team is part of the firm's 180-lawyer Real Estate group, one of the UK's largest real estate practices. Martin Thomas's appointment takes the total number of real estate partners to 33.

Other real estate highlights from the past 12 months include advising client Vodafone UK on its strengthened network collaboration with Telefónica UK, and US private equity firm Blackstone's £600 million acquisition of the Mint Hotel chain and Queensberry Real Estate.