James Lawless

Senior Associate

About James

James is a Senior Associate in our Commercial Real Estate department.

James has advised on the acquisition, disposal and leasing of a wide variety of properties, including offices, retail premises, warehousing and logistical units, apartment developments and manufacturing facilities.  James has also advised numerous commercial tenants on occupational lettings.

James has worked closely with developers on site assembly projects and the enlargement of title to development sites.

In addition, James has extensive experience in the acquisition of hotels and has worked on the forward funding of several high-profile hotel development sites in Dublin city centre.

James has acted for the buyers of several Irish country estates, dealing with on-going asset management and advising on plans for future redevelopment.

Prior to joining BHSM, James completed his training and worked within the Commercial Real Estate department of a Big 5 law firm in Dublin.

Recent Experience

  • Acted for landlord in the pre-let to serviced office provider of a high-profile Docklands office development
  • Acted for US private equity firm in the negotiation of an Option Agreement for a data centre site in rural Ireland
  • Acted in the acquisition and financing of a South Dublin brownfield site developed as an apartment scheme and housing estate
  • Acted for an Irish pillar bank in taking security over a portfolio of newly built residential units located in Dublin’s commuter belt
  • Worked with an international property company in assembling a development site in Dublin city centre, including the acquisition of historic Georgian townhouses, the enlargement of leasehold title through the Circuit Court Ground Rents procedure, the negotiation of disputes with adjoining owners, advice on possessory title and the negotiation of insurance cover for remaining title defects
  • Acted for the owner of several logistics parks in the negotiation of pre-let agreements with occupational tenants and the parallel sale of the investment interest in leased units
  • Acted for large indigenous food company in the site acquisition, funding and construction of major new food production facility in North County Dublin
  • Provide on-going advice to a childcare provider in the expansion of its premises nationwide
  • Advised UK & Irish construction materials provider in the lease of quarry in the Irish midlands
  • Advised an international investor in the acquisition of a portfolio of service stations, conducting full due diligence on all portfolio assets, advising on steps to remediate red flags and management of pre-sale carve-out and leaseback arrangements
  • Conducted full vendor due diligence for an international agri-food business in the disposal of its Irish food production plants in the Munster region
  • Advised on real estate aspects of major High Courts dispute regarding rights to light
  • Retained by a leading Irish fashion retailer in the management of its portfolio of retail units, including advice on new lettings and licence agreements as well as the surrender and re-gear of existing units
  • Provided on-going asset management advice for a 5 Star Hotel campus, including the resolution of boundary disputes and cases of adverse possession, the grant of licences to tourism operators, advising on public rights of way and the preparation of filming licences

Education

  • LLB in Law and European Studies, University of Limerick
  • Master’s Degree in European Law, University College Dublin
  • Qualified as a Solicitor in Ireland

Professional Memberships

  • Law Society of Ireland

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