David Evans and Samantha Lake Coghlan will join Goodwin Procter as partners in the firm’s London office.
Evans will become the London office Chair and will spearhead expansion of the firm’s presence in Europe, leveraging Goodwin’s presence in the real estate, fund formation and private equity sectors in the US. Evans and Lake Coghlan will focus on real estate private equity transactions, complementing Goodwin’s established London-based Hospitality and Leisure real estate practice, as well as its preeminent North American real estate private equity, REIT and real estate transactional practices.
“We’re delighted that David and Sam have chosen to join us. Their experience and expertise will add a significant new dimension to our international presence, and we look forward to welcoming them to the firm,” says Regina M Pisa (pictured), Chairman of Goodwin Procter. “We are also enthusiastic about the prospect of having a gifted leader such as David chairing our London office and driving the firm’s growth in this important market.”
Evans and Lake Coghlan join Goodwin from Ashurst, where both have spent the entirety of their legal careers. Evans was a partner in Ashurst’s corporate department, and a member of the firm’s global investment funds group and management board. Lake Coghlan was made a partner in Ashurst’s investment funds group in 2009. Both will join Goodwin following completion of their notice periods.
Evans’ and Lake Coghlan’s expertise encompasses all aspects of real estate fund structuring and investment, including segregated accounts/investment management mandates; structured acquisitions of real estate; joint ventures; club deals; multi-investor funds; and private M&A. They have advised clients on a wide range of issues related to the structuring of real estate transactions, products and vehicles across many European jurisdictions.
“Sam and David’s vertically-integrated practice, which covers both the raising and deployment of capital within the real estate industry, synchs up extraordinarily well with Goodwin’s platform and industry focus,” says Gil Menna co-chair of Goodwin’s Real Estate, REITs & Real Estate Capital Markets Group.
