header-logo header-logo

02 July 2025
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
printer mail-detail

Hill Dickinson—Keith Barnett & Hanna Ross

Firm welcomes partners and head of real estate in London

Leading commercial law firm Hill Dickinson has appointed Keith Barnett as head of real estate in London, with Hanna Ross also joining as partner. The duo arrives from Taylor Wessing, where Keith led the real estate practice for 13 years and Hanna specialised in international investment and development transactions. Their combined experience bolsters Hill Dickinson’s expanding real estate offering across the capital and nationally.

Keith, recognised by Legal 500 for his work in commercial property development, said: ‘The opportunity to join Hill Dickinson’s hugely talented team was one that I couldn’t miss... I’m thrilled to be heading up the firm’s real estate practice in London.’ His extensive experience advising investors, developers and occupiers will underpin the firm’s ambitious growth plans.

Hanna brings over 18 years’ experience spanning multiple sectors including hospitality, logistics, and retail. ‘Hill Dickinson’s real estate practice presents an exciting opportunity... I look forward to continuing this work and sharing my expertise,’ she said. Both hires are expected to mentor junior colleagues and enhance the firm’s client service.

Fiona Parry, head of business services, described the appointments as ‘another pivotal moment’ for the 75-strong real estate team, which has grown by 30% over the past two years. She added: ‘London has always represented a key opportunity for us... these hires are a measure of our ambition in that regard.’

Image caption (L-R): Hanna Ross, partner, Kevin Lee, national head of real estate, and Keith Barnett, head of real estate in London

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Firm strengthens growth strategy and group litigation capability with senior hires

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
The legal profession’s claim to be a ‘guardian of fairness’ is under scrutiny after stark findings on gender imbalance and opaque progression. Writing in NLJ this week, Joshua Purser of No5 Barristers’ Chambers and Govindi Deerasinghe of Global 50/50 warn that leadership remains dominated by a narrow elite, with men holding 71% of top court roles
A legal challenge to police disclosure rules has failed, reinforcing a push for transparency in policing. In NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth examines a case where the Metropolitan Police required officers to declare membership of groups like the Freemasons
Bereavement leave is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Writing in NLJ this week, Robert Hargreaves of York St John University explains how the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a day-one right to leave for a wider range of losses, alongside new provisions for pregnancy loss and bereaved partners
Courts are beginning to grapple with whether AI-generated material is legally privileged—and the answers are mixed. In this week's issue of NLJ, Stacie Bourton, Tom Whittaker & Beata Kolodziej of Burges Salmon examine US rulings showing how easily privilege can be lost
New guidance seeks to bring order to the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Minesh Tanna and David Bridge of Simmons & Simmons set out a framework stressing ‘transparency’, ‘explainability’ and ‘reliability’
back-to-top-scroll