International law firm Charles Russell Speechlys has appointed a new partner based at their Cheltenham office.

The firm continues to strengthen its real estate team with the hire of Nicholas Burt

Nicholas joins the firm from Trowers & Hamlins, where he was head of strategic land for more than five years and led a team spanning multiple offices and across a variety of practice areas.

Nicholas has significant experience advising clients, including landowners, promoters and developers, on the acquisition and disposal of development land.

Whilst his practice is primarily focused on the house building and regeneration market, he also represents clients in corporate real estate, as well as leisure and retail. His expertise also extends into a mix of commercial development work and advice to land owning clients and estates.

Nicholas will be based in the firm's Cheltenham office but will be working across the group on national and international matters.

Robin Grove, divisional managing partner of construction, real estate and disputes, said: "This is a further investment in our regeneration practice at an extremely busy and exciting time for the real estate group. We recently announced new partners Kim Lalli and Rafe Courage this month, and Nick's addition will further strengthen our expertise in the UK.

"Nick will be crucial in helping us expand our work in the strategic land sector, bolstering our key relationships and offering with our landowner and developer clients. He is also well-placed to support other key pillars, such as our work in the living sector and our firm's private capital strategy. We wish him a warm welcome."

Nicholas Burt said: "I am very pleased to be joining Charles Russell Speechlys. The firm has a strong reputation nationally in landowner work, as well as in the private housebuilder and strategic land sectors, and there are clearly excellent synergies between the firm's work and my own areas of practice.

"I look forward to getting involved with clients across the country, and exploring what benefits the firm's network and capabilities can bring to my existing client base."

Nicholas's appointment follows three recent hires into the firm's real estate & disputes practice - Kim Lalli and Rafe Courage into the real estate team in April, and Andrew Ross into the real estate disputes team in March. 

It is also an example of continued growth in the Cheltenham office, with banking & finance partner Philip Withey also joining in early April.