Proskauer hires PE real estate partner in London – exclusive

Vikki McKay joins Proskauer from DLA Piper as part of the firm’s strategic growth in London, and reunites with her former colleague, who made the same move in June.

New York-headquartered law firm Proskauer Rose has hired Vikki McKay as partner in the firm’s private equity real estate group in London, pfm has learned.

McKay’s focus is on the UK and cross-border investments in real estate for private equity firms, large international companies and ultra-high net worth offshore individuals. She advises on investments in various property types such as logistics, office, and leisure assets, according to the firm.

In her most recent position as partner at DLA Piper, McKay advised Blackstone on a transaction worth over €275 million for the acquisition of 18 logistics assets from SEB Investment GmbH and on its London office acquisitions at Alban Gate and One America Square, according to her profile on DLA Piper’s website.

Her move to Proskauer from DLA Piper reunites her with former colleague Joanne Owen, who also transitioned to Proskauer from DLA Piper, in June. Owen focuses on private equity, real estate finance and alternative vehicles for property investment, according to the firm.

According to her LinkedIn profile, McKay had been at DLA Piper since May 2015.

Proskauer is currently growing its London office, having hired not only McKay and Owen in recent months but also special real estate counsel Ben Taylor, mergers and acquisitions partners Steven Davis, Matt Rees and James Howe, secondaries specialist Bruno Bertrand-Delfau, finance partner Alex Griffith, and tax partner Robert Gaut.

In the real estate market, the firm has advised on AccorHotels’ $2.7 billion purchase of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s acquisition of The London Hotel in New York from Blackstone, and PT Property Holdings’ purchase of The Point Resort.