Bevan Brittan—Two new partners

Louise Leaver (pictured above) has more than 20 years’ experience in the banking and finance sector with a particular focus on social housing finance, acting for both borrowers and lenders, especially in the housing and projects sectors on all types of funding and security transactions. She is top ranked by the legal directory Chambers, named as a leading individual by Legal 500 and also ranked for social housing finance in the Legal 500 ‘Hall of Fame’, that highlights to clients those law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of their profession.

In recent years, Louise has used her city expertise and understanding of the social housing sector to help key funders and borrowers to innovate alternative funding structures including off-balance sheet delivery models, shared-ownership structures, unsecured funding, as well as joint arrangements with local authorities, developers and third party investors. She has advised a variety of clients including some of the largest housing associations, charities, corporate borrowers, investors, traditional and new lenders to the sector.

Deborah Rowntree (pictured below) has more than 10 years’ experience advising funders and borrowers on real estate development and investment transactions, acquisition finance deals, restructurings, general corporate financings, complex syndicated lending and re-financings. She has regularly acted for major UK banks, lender clubs and property investment companies and has used her extensive real estate finance knowledge to support her housing clients’ expansion through joint ventures and development finance including novel finance and security provisions for airspace development.

Jonathan Turner, partner and head of Bevan Brittan’s housing practice said: ‘Bevan Brittan has become one of the UK’s leading legal advisors within the social housing sector and we advise some of the largest housing associations, developers and funders in the sector. Louise and Deborah are an excellent addition to the banking and finance team supporting the social housing and infrastructure sectors’ expanding appetite and demand for more complex financing arrangements. We are delighted that Louise and Deborah are joining the firm and the skills and experience they will bring for the benefit of our clients.’

Louise Leaver said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the team at Bevan Brittan that has a strong and growing reputation in the financial, commercial and social housing sectors. The firm is increasingly recognised for its innovative work in creating partnerships and joint ventures that will be essential in upgrading the UK’s housing sector. I am looking forward to advising clients and providing pragmatic, commercial and strategic advice.’

Duncan Weir, Bevan Brittan’s managing partner said: ‘I am really pleased Louise and Deborah are joining the Bevan Brittan partnership. Investing in our banking and finance team, plus our recent growth of our corporate team, demonstrates our ability to support our clients’ own commercial investment needs and our growing financial services practice.’