One of Australia’s top real estate lawyers, Nicholas Cowie, is joining Herbert Smith Freehills’ real estate team in Sydney.
A successful property partner, Nicholas has worked across a range of significant and complex property matters for high-profile and diverse clients across the Asia Pacific region for more than two decades.
He joins the firm from Allens where he has worked for 21 years, 18 as partner.
Herbert Smith Freehills Asia and Australia Regional Managing Partner, Sue Gilchrist welcomed Nicholas’ appointment.
“We are extremely pleased that Nicholas is joining the firm. As one of Australia’s leading real estate lawyers, Nicholas has developed a strong Asia Pacific practice and has an excellent reputation in the market for his ability to combine outstanding technical legal knowhow with exceptional client service.
"He will be a perfect fit for our market-leading Australian real estate practice which is regularly engaged by clients on the most complex and landscape-changing transactions in the real estate sector.” Sue said.
Herbert Smith Freehills’ Head of Real Estate, Australia and Asia, David Sinn said Nicholas was joining during a period of strong growth in the real estate sector, both in the Asia Pacific region and around the world.
“Real estate is one of the seven fastest growing sectors globally, with predictions from IBISWorld that the sector will grow at an average rate of 4.3% by 2021, when global real estate revenue is estimated to reach more than $4.6 billion per annum.
“In Australia we are seeing growth in the student accommodation market, the hotel sector and an increase in demand for prime assets in Sydney and Melbourne. Another trend we are seeing is foreign investors looking for advice around recent changes to Australia’s foreign investment regime and how to form partnerships with local associates when acquiring assets,” David said.
“In Asia, emerging economies are creating increased investment opportunities after experiencing strong industry growth over the past five years.”
David said a key advantage of the firm’s real estate practice was the team’s ability to provide additional expertise when it came to global real estate transactions.
“As one of the key sector groups of the firm globally, the real estate sector group is able to provide global clients with corporate and funds management knowledge and expertise, in addition to direct real estate expertise. Nicholas also has this experience and will complement the skill set and transactional capability of the team."
Nicholas is expected to start at the firm in October.
