James Esterkin

James Esterkin is a Partner in the Firm’s London office where he is a member of the Firm’s Banking and Credit and Real Estate practices. He advises international private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and other top-tier investors in connection with the financing of U.K. and European real estate and related investments. James specializes in complex cross-border real estate acquisition and development financing, non-performing loan financing arrangements and the restructuring of real estate related secured debt.

Select experience prior to joining Simpson Thacher includes representing:

• Bain Capital Credit on the financing of: the acquisition of a €1.4 billion portfolio of non-performing loans in Greece from Piraeus Bank; the acquisition of a €700 million portfolio of Spanish NPLs and properties from Kutxabank; and the staged acquisition of a portfolio of residential and commercial properties in Italy from Intesa (formerly forming part of Intesa’s non-performing loan book)
• Brookfield on: the financing of its bid to acquire the £4 billion+ iQ student accommodation portfolio; on its €1.089 billion recommended cash offer for Hibernia REIT; and its £3 billion consortium approach for Intu plc
• Brookfield on the acquisition of edyn (formerly Saco) from Oaktree, a premier serviced apartment group, and subsequent representation of edyn in relation to the acquisition and development financing of properties in the U.K. and Europe
• GIC on: the acquisition financing of a 30-asset portfolio of Irish logistics assets in the context of GIC’s partnership with Exeter Property Group; the acquisition financing of a 1900 unit €300m residential property portfolio in Finland in partnership with Orange Capital Partners; and the refinancing of a portfolio of purpose-built student accommodate assets in London in partnership with Unite

• GLP on the financing of its c.€2.4 billion acquisition of European logistics business IDI Gazeley from Brookfield; the financings of new build logistics assets in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain; and the financing of its c.€1 billion acquisition of Goodman Group’s CEE logistics portfolio

James returns to Simpson Thacher from another international law firm. He received his LPC, with distinction, and an LL.M. in International Legal Practice from University of Law, London, and his LL.B. in Law from University of Nottingham. James received a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from University of Westminster.