Norton Rose Fulbright strengthens its real estate practice, hires new partner and associates in Vancouver

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright welcomes Janet Derbawka as a partner in its real estate practice in Vancouver, British Columbia. Janet’s in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in real estate and business matters will enhance the firm’s capability to deliver high quality advice to its real estate clients. Janet is consistently recognized as a recommended lawyer in property leasing by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.

The firm has also recently hired a number of associates in its Vancouver office, including Liam Oster, Yu Meng Zhu, and Albert Chen. Liam’s practice is focused on commercial leasing, complex mixed-use development, and specialty consumer product regulations; Yu Meng advises clients on acquisition and disposition, financing, development and leasing of commercial real estate; and Albert assists senior counsel in advising clients on real estate transactions involving the acquisition, financing, leasing, development and sale of commercial, industrial and residential properties.

Max Collett, partner of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada, said:

“The real estate market is growing in complexity and sophistication, and the real estate sector participants are looking for firms that can offer strategic transactional support across the full range of real estate, finance, environmental, and other ESG matters. Our new team members will play a critical role in enhancing our capability to deliver a high-level of service to our clients. This new round of hiring also supports our firm in making progress towards our goal of increasing racial representation and achieving gender balance.”

“While many real-estate companies are optimistic about their prospects in 2022, they are rethinking their strategies to factor in the changing real estate landscape and plot their future growth. Norton Rose Fulbright is well positioned to support clients to take advantage of new opportunities, while minimizing risks to stay ahead of their competition, and I am excited to be a part of such a talented team of lawyers,” said Janet.

Janet has extensive experience negotiating office, retail and industrial lease transactions on behalf of landlords and tenants. Acting on behalf of start-ups and privately held companies, international franchises, real estate investment trusts and publicly traded companies, Janet has worked with some of Canada's largest developers and a number of international retailers. She also has had experience representing clients in a variety of other industries, including technology, gaming, financial services, and facility management.

The firm’s real estate practice acts for clients across the full range of real estate matters including urban regeneration projects, infrastructure and public sector developments, direct and indirect investment transactions, joint venture arrangements including in relation to developments on Indigenous lands, real estate financing, equity investment structuring, portfolio deals, corporate occupier matters, dispute resolution and complex development projects. The real estate team in Vancouver is top-ranked by Chambers and Partners, the legal industry’s leading independent research company delivering industry rankings and insights.