Angela Kearns specialises in advising on complex, high value real estate developments, infrastructure projects and urban regeneration, pre-lettings, direct and indirect acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, forward fundings, financings, and solvent and insolvent restructurings.
Angela has carved a unique place in the market advising on inbound investment from Japan, working closely with Clifford Chance's Tokyo office.
- Daibiru Corporation, the Japan-based real estate subsidiary of Mitsui OSK Lines, on:
- its £169m acquisition of Capital House, 85 King William Street
- its acquisition of a 66% stake in Paternoster Square and Warwick Court
- JP Morgan Asset Management on the 400,000 sq. ft. development and pre-let of 65 Gresham Street to Squarepoint – the largest pre-let in the City of London since 2023
- Network Rail on:
- the sale of its commercial real estate portfolio to Telereal Trillium and Blackstone Property Partners for £1.46 billion. The portfolio includes approximately 5,200 properties, the majority of which are converted railway arches
- an upgrade and futureproof of its telecom infrastructure network in Great Britain
- Canary Wharf Group plc on multiple disposals, developments and other financings, pre-lettings and lettings, multiple disposals on the Canary Wharf Estate including 50 Bank Street and 25 Bank Street, the redevelopment of Newfoundland, the pre-letting of 25 Churchill Place, the development financing of 1 Bank Street and the refinancing of all shopping centres
- The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited on its acquisition from Derwent London of 1-5 Grosvenor Place, Belgravia and the 50/50 joint venture, hotel management, vertical letting and development arrangements with Grosvenor to redevelop the site into The Peninsula hotel and high-end residential apartments, and the subsequent restructuring of that joint venture
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +442070064833
- Email me
- Speaks English and Japanese
- Sector Healthcare & life sciences, Other, Real_Estate, Technology, media & telecommunications
Career & qualifications
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand (BA Japanese) 1997
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand (LLB) 1999
- Joined Clifford Chance 1999
- Admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor in New Zealand 2003
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2011
- Partner since 2015
Awards and citations
- Angela Kearns is ranked as "Notable practitioner ".
IFLR 1000 2024, Real estate finance, Real estate acquisitions
- United Kingdom. - Identified as a leading individual
Legal 500 UK 2024 for Commercial Property: Corporate occupiers - Identified as a leading individual
Legal 500 UK 2024 for Commercial Property: Development - ‘I’d single out Angela Kearns. She is a top quality lawyer and extremely commercial. She is my go-to lawyer for this type of work as she has a broad practice and can turn her hand to all aspects of transactions. This works for us as it means we don’t have to deal with multiple lawyers. She is on top of her game, works hard for her clients and gets deals done.
Legal 500, Commercial Property: Corporate Occupiers 2023 - ‘I would absolutely single out Angela Kearns who is not only good fun to work with but a top quality lawyer, extremely commercial and a true development specialist. She is my go to lawyer as she has a broad practice and can turn her hand to the full lifecycle of projects, including the initial development structuring, rights of light, pre-letting, funding and ultimate exit. This is a real bonus as it means we don’t have to deal with multiple lawyers. She is on top of her game, works hard for her clients and gets deals done. She definitely deserves to be ranked as a Leading Individual in this category.’
Legal 500, Commercial Property: Development 2023 - "Angela Kearns is a top quality lawyer and extremely commercial. She can turn her hand to all aspects of transactions. She is on top of her game, works hard for her clients and gets deals done. Matt Taylor is an expert on the indirect side and a go-to adviser for joint venture. He is a technically excellent lawyer and gives practical and commercial advice."
Legal 500, Commercial Property: Investment 2023 - Ranked as a Notable Practitioner for Real estate acquisitions by IFLR1000
- ‘Angela Kearns is quick to identify and raise commercial considerations to the client. She argues well to pursue and protect her client’s interest.’
Legal 500 2021 - Identified as a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500 UK for Commercial Property: Corporate Occupiers and Development 2021
- Shortlisted for Real Estate Individual (London) of the year
Legal 500 2020
- Identified as a Next Generation Partner
Legal 500 UK: Commercial Property: development in 2020 - Identified as a Next Generation Partner
Legal 500 UK: Commercial Property: corporate occupiers in 2020
- “Angela Kearns handles the full range of transactions”
Legal 500 UK 2020 - "Willingness to go the extra mile. Excellent response times and ability to advise on highly complex structuring issues. Particular mention to Angela Kearns and Ian Painter who are both outstanding."
Legal 500 UK 2020 - Angela is listed by Bisnow as one of 48 women who will shape the future of UK real estate.
- Recommended by Legal 500 UK 2019
- “Angela Kearns ‘exhibits impressive industry knowledge and is an invaluable adviser’ in large development projects. ”
Legal 500 2019 - “Angela Kearns advised The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels on the acquisition of Grosvenor’s entire 50% interest in their joint venture to deliver a mixed use development at 1-5 Grosvenor Place, London.”
Legal 500 2017 - "Newly made-up partner Angela Kearns is 'very thorough', with 'excellent client-handling skills'.“
Legal 500 UK 2015