RPC expands real estate practice with the hire of Partner, Jon Ely

International law firm RPC announced today that commercial property lawyer Jon Ely has joined the firm in Bristol as a Partner in the real estate practice. 

Ely joins the firm from Capital Law, where he spent the past six years. Prior to that he spent 16 years at City law firm Lewis Silkin. He has represented investors, financiers, occupiers and developers in a wide range of real estate transactions including acquisitions, property elements of corporate deals and hybrid commercial and real estate projects, with landlord and tenant work being a key feature of his practice.

Ely supports real estate sector clients and those for whom real estate is not a core business, including major UK, US and Europe-based operators in retail, media, education, healthcare, technology and creative industry sectors.

“Jon is a terrific lawyer who we already know is a great fit for the firm, and his familiarity with the retail and tech sectors will allow him to immediately service clients in key areas of focus for our Commercial Group," said Jeremy Drew who leads the Commercial Group at RPC." “We are excited to welcome Jon as we continue to strategically grow our real estate practice.”

Jon will be the second partner to join the RPC real estate group in recent months, after Arash Rajai was welcomed as a non-contentious construction partner in August. "Jon's arrival furthers our plan to expand the breadth, depth and reach of our team" adds RPC Real Estate Partner, Elizabeth Alibhai. 

Ely has represented a leading fintech operator in the acquisition of a strategically important headquarters in a new landmark City of London building, and over many years has advised one of the UK’s major port operators in numerous projects including strategic disposals, lettings and energy related projects. He has also handled the property elements of a multi-million pound logistics deal for one of the UK’s leading retailers, acted for a UK public sector body in its disposal of various interests as part of a major transport regeneration project, and has successfully handled many business space deals and projects, including the acquisition, disposal and re-gearing of office, warehousing and logistics premises across England and Wales.

“I can’t think of a better way to continue building my practice than joining a firm whose Commercial Group has a solid reputation as a coherent force in the market,” Ely adds. “RPC is known for its ability to lead clients through every phase of their most complex transactions and challenges, and I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues, across practices and geography.”