Goodwin Procter Bolsters Real Estate and Sports Expertise with Strategic Hires

Goodwin Procter, a leading global law firm, has strengthened its real estate and sports finance practices with the addition of two seasoned partners from DLA Piper. The new hires, Paul Gray and Lewis Gaut, bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will further solidify Goodwin's position as a premier legal advisory firm in these specialized sectors.

Unlocking New Opportunities in Real Estate and Sports Finance

Expanding Goodwin's Real Estate Finance Capabilities

Goodwin Procter has welcomed partners Paul Gray and Lewis Gaut to its London office, where they will join the firm's real estate finance practice. Both Gray and Gaut come from DLA Piper, where they had established themselves as leaders in their respective fields.Gray, who will head up Goodwin's U.K. real estate practice, brings over 20 years of experience advising clients on international finance matters in the real estate and sports sectors. Prior to DLA Piper, where he was the co-head of international sports finance, Gray held senior positions at Sidley Austin and Nabarro.Gaut's practice specializes in leveraged finance in the sports and real estate areas. After spending 13 years at DLA Piper, where he was promoted to partner in 2022, Gaut is now joining Goodwin to further expand the firm's expertise in these specialized finance domains.

Strengthening Goodwin's Sports Finance Capabilities

The addition of Gray and Gaut not only bolsters Goodwin's real estate finance capabilities but also enhances the firm's sports finance expertise. Gray's extensive experience in international sports finance, including his role as co-head of the practice at DLA Piper, will be a valuable asset to Goodwin's clients.Gaut's deep understanding of leveraged finance in the sports sector will further complement Goodwin's existing strengths, enabling the firm to provide comprehensive solutions to clients navigating the complex world of sports finance.

Reinforcing Goodwin's Position as a Premier Legal Advisor

The arrival of these two seasoned partners underscores Goodwin's commitment to strengthening its position as a leading legal advisory firm in the real estate and sports finance sectors. Diana Brummer, co-chair of Goodwin's real estate industry practice, expressed her enthusiasm for the new hires, stating that "The arrival of top-tier lawyers, Paul and Lewis, reinforces our standing as the premier legal advisory firm at the forefront of real estate capitalization, financing, and ownership throughout its entire life cycle."Brummer further emphasized that Goodwin's clients will immediately benefit from the broad and extensive experience that Gray and Gaut bring to the table, particularly in their specialist sectors.

Goodwin's Continued Growth in London

The strategic addition of Gray and Gaut is part of Goodwin's ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in the London market. Since launching its London office in 2008, the firm has steadily grown its headcount, with the number of lawyers increasing from just 12, including 5 partners, in 2014 to a remarkable 236, with 64 partners, by 2024.Recent hires, such as the addition of senior Dechert funds partner Thiha Tun, have further bolstered Goodwin's capabilities in the London market. However, the firm has also faced some departures, with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson and Eversheds Sutherland recently recruiting Goodwin partners.Despite these challenges, Goodwin's strategic focus on building a strong presence in London, particularly in specialized sectors like real estate and sports finance, positions the firm for continued growth and success in the years to come.