We kick off this series by introducing our Commercial Real Estate team. We sat down with them and asked some questions to get a better idea of what the team get up to day to day, and what makes them great.
Can you give us a brief overview of your team and the work you do at Stephens Scown?
Toby Pool, head of the Commercial Real Estate team, comments: “Our specialist Commercial Real Estate team is a dynamic group of talented lawyers and support staff, working from our offices in Taunton, Exeter, and Truro, but with our clients and work stretching nationally. Everyone brings a wealth of experience to their role, ensuring we provide top-notch service to our clients.
We primarily focus on landlord and tenant matters, occupier and investment work, and corporate support, advising a diverse range of businesses across various sectors, including healthcare, leisure and tourism, retail, food and drink, and professional services. We also represent lenders in secured lending transactions, ensuring their interests are well-protected.
As the core of the wider real estate department, we are supported by other teams with niche specialisms – such as rural property law, woodlands, mines and minerals, and social housing – which allows us to offer comprehensive and specialised services. We work closely with colleagues in other parts of the Firm – most notably with our corporate colleagues – to provide holistic solutions to our clients’ needs.
Our team prides itself on delivering excellent service, handling transactions pragmatically and collaboratively. Our aim is to build lasting professional relationships with our clients and contacts, and to ensure that every interaction is positive and productive.”
Aimee, you spend a lot of your time doing commercial leases. Once you’ve done one lease, you’ve done them all, right?
“Not necessarily so. Of course, there are many similarities in the documents themselves and there are some fairly common precedents used as a base point. After all, there are certain matters which need to be covered in every lease and there is some benefit in having a degree of commonality in the terminology used. However, these act more as the core structure. As it’s Christmas, let’s think of them as the Christmas tree, and where they are situated and the way you decorate them, is entirely dependent on your client’s needs and taste. Sometimes you need a lot of tinsel!”
How do you ensure your team stays ahead in such a fast-changing legal landscape?
George explains, “Staying ahead in a fast-evolving landscape is vital, especially with AI revolutionising legal services. While the legal profession is traditionally cautious and risk averse, embracing innovation is now essential. In Commercial Real Estate, we organise monthly catch-ups, where we explore important, pre-planned topics through engaging webinars. Each session ensures our team stays well-informed and ready to tackle the latest developments. It’s a great way to keep everyone sharp and proactive, empowering us to navigate change with confidence and expertise.”
How does being part of a B Corp inspire your team’s approach to work?
Aimee comments: “B Corp principles focus on balancing profit with purpose by ensuring high social and environmental performance, legal accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. In common with our colleagues across the firm, we try to go about our work with a mindful approach in the way we treat others, but when we think about matters of “ESG” we tend to focus initially on the “E” given the property sector’s very physical impact on the planet.
We’ve had some interesting discussions with clients about appropriate clauses to incorporate within documentation, looking to seek a balance so that they are both well-intentioned and practically achievable. For example, some clients are keen to minimise the impact of their tenant’s works and operations on energy efficiency, and we’ve included clauses which take a more circular approach in relation to what a tenant is required to do by way of stripping out their fit-out at the end of the lease term.”
How does collaboration within your team or with other teams help deliver the best outcomes for clients?
Charles shares, “The breadth of the property team means that not only do we have the resources to work together to provide advice within short timescales to clients, but we also have a range of knowledge and experience to draw upon to find the right solutions to achieve the client’s desired outcomes, and to do so at a cost which provides value to the clients. An example is working on the refinance of property portfolios where a team of people is required to deliver reports on multiple properties.
Working closely and collaborating with other teams across the firm means that we can support and advise on the real estate aspects of transactions requiring a range of different legal expertise. For example, we regularly provide property advice in corporate transactions, working in conjunction with the corporate, employment, planning, construction and other teams to deliver a successful transaction.”
What advice would you give to someone considering specialising in your area of law?
Antonia says “To succeed in commercial real estate law, there is no way around it; you will need to work hard because this is a detail-heavy area of law. Whether it’s reviewing contracts or dealing with financing arrangements, there’s little room for error. Having a deep understanding of the law and staying up to date with any changes will give you a real edge.
It’s not just about knowing the law – you’ve got to be a problem-solver. Commercial real estate is heavily transactional, so you’ll be negotiating deals, solving unexpected issues, and helping clients achieve their commercial goals. If you’re someone who enjoys the buzz of deal-making and can think creatively under pressure, you’ll thrive in this field.
Finally, relationships are everything both inside and outside of the office. Having experienced colleagues that you know and can trust is critical, as is building trust with clients and connecting with other professionals. Whether they’re developers, investors, or agents – it’s essential. It’s not just about doing the work; it’s about being the person people want to call when they need help. The more people know and trust you, the stronger your reputation and client base will be.”