Cleary Gottlieb hires Paul Hastings partner to launch real estate practice
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton recruited Stephen Nicolas from Paul Hastings to establish its European real estate division. Nicolas arrived in London with his legal team, marking the fifth partner to leave Paul Hastings’ real estate group in recent months. Miles Flynn and Rehan Hanif transferred to Milbank last week while Michael James and Edward Meadowcroft joined Hogan Lovells in September.
Nicolas spent 10 years at Paul Hastings and was promoted to partner in 2022. He handles corporate and private equity property deals across multiple asset categories, advising clients on purchases, sales, joint ventures and complex lease structures. Paul Hastings no longer lists real estate partners in London following his departure. The firm reported London revenue would climb 20 to 25 percent this year and plans continued expansion.
