Sean Ryan
Partner in the Real Estate Team
Direct telephone: +44 (0)1293 558567
Email: sryan@rawlisonbutler.com
Location: Gatwick office
Expertise
I specialise in the commercial aspects of real estate law and act on a broad spectrum of property legal practice, including landlord and tenant issues, acquisitions and disposals, property finance and development, advising a range of clients including developers, funders, investors and owner occupiers.
Profile
I initially qualified in Brighton before spending a number of years in the Real Estate group at Allen & Overy, a major City practice. In 1998, I left to start a commercial property practice at Shadbolt & Co (at the time a niche specialist construction law firm), which I headed up for a number of years. I have recently joined Rawlison Butler as a partner, having been attracted by the quality of the firm’s reputation in both local and national legal circles.
Public profile
I have contributed articles on various aspects of property law to legal publications, and speak on real estate law issues at seminars.
What others say about me
Sean is recommended in both the Legal 500 and Chambers directories. According to the former he offers ‘tremendous experience’ and is ‘a pleasure to deal with and very commercial’; whilst those canvassed by Chambers thought that ‘he makes deals easier to get through’.
In my spare time …
I run, cycle and act as chauffeur to two daughters.
What I said when I was asked …
How do you contribute to our Corporate Social Responsibility?
I took part in the Wooden Spoon Society Four Peaks challenge.
What do you expect to be the most significant market trend in your area for the next 12 months?
The property legal market will continue to be difficult for some time to come, with pressure on the availability of funding and a shortage of prime target property hindering investment and with developers nervous about bringing mothballed projects back on line. It may well be 2011 before a semblance of normality returns.
What has been the most memorable or challenging deal/case for you?
An error by a lawyer twenty five years ago, with unintended consequences blending legal complexity and commercial gravity, came to light only a year ago when my client bought the business which owned the affected property and took the best part of the year to resolve.