Freshfields looks to Hamburg partner to maintain real estate 'leading edge'

The Hamburg-based partner succeeds Chris Morris, who completes his second term in the role this month.

It is somewhat of a role reversal as London-based Morris took over the role in 2006 from Conradi and London partner Geoff Le Pard, who had jointly held the post before returning to full time client work.

The firm wants to grow commercial real estate including advising on cross-border transactions, tax efficiency, complex investment structures, development projects, property finance and planning law.

Managing partner Ted Burke said: “Johannes’ extensive experience and skills make him an excellent candidate for this role. Under Chris Morris’s direction the real estate practice has maintained its leading edge in the market and we look forward to Johannes taking this forward.”

Conradi said: “This is a challenging time for the real estate sector.  The recent economic climate has inevitably had an impact on the availability of property finance and led to a slowdown in moves and expansions plans.

“However, this is precisely when the experience of established and specialist advisers like ours comes to the fore as they’re adept at finding innovative solutions in challenging times.”

Conradi has been a partner with the firm since 1998.