Law Firm Hails Addition Of Alex Barnes To Its Business Team

NATIONAL law firm, Irwin Mitchell, is continuing in its bid to become one of the leading real estate teams in the UK with the appointment of Alex Barnes as property tax advisory partner.

Based in Irwin Mitchell’s London and Birmingham offices, Alex Barnes moves from Eversheds where he was head of tax in the real estate department across the firm’s offices in Birmingham, Cambridge, Nottingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Manchester.

In addition to offering support to businesses on various property-related tax issues such as capital allowances, VAT and corporation tax, Alex provides structuring advice on development projects for companies and public bodies, as well advising overseas’ property investors and joint ventures.

Alex also operates as a lead adviser on M&A transactions acting for both vendors and purchasers. Previously, he supported a £155m share acquisition and a multi-jurisdiction £65m share disposal for a UK listed plc.

Commenting on his appointment, Alex said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be joining a highly ambitious and innovative firm. Irwin Mitchell has and continues to invest heavily in developing its real estate team and it is of course very exciting to be a part of this as the firm moves forward and expands.”

Alex’s decision to join Irwin Mitchell is the latest in line of senior and high profile real estate hires. Last year, Jon Vivian moved to Irwin Mitchell’s London office with a 20-strong team from city firm, SJ Berwin. Other appointments include well-respected property law strategist, Geoffrey Lander, and property litigation consultant Sue Wilson. 

Other recent appointments to the Business Legal Services team within Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office include IT and outsourcing expert, Mark Neale.

Niall Baker, Chief Executive of Business Legal Services at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Alex is another significant addition to our business team and his appointment is a good example of our determination to continue building one of the UK’s leading real estate teams.

“We have clear aims for the firm in the future - not just in relation to growth, but also in terms of further improving the quality of service that we deliver to clients. Alex shares our vision and has the pedigree and importantly the determination to make sure the business realises its ambitions.”

In April this year, Irwin Mitchell announced its intention to take advantage of the provisions of the Legal Services Act and restructure the partnership as an Alternative Business Structure (ABS). As part of the move Irwin Mitchell will seek external capital to further its growth plans.