Jeremy Clay is Managing Partner of Mayer Brown. A member of the firm’s London Real Estate practice, he has served on Mayer Brown’s Management Committee since 2012. Jeremy represents investors, developers, banks and corporate clients in all kinds of structured development, investment and finance transactions.
Consistently ranked as a leading individual by the legal directories, Jeremy is described by clients as being “very practical” and “incredibly commercial in the way he thinks about things.” (Chambers UK 2014). He is a “very effective negotiator” who “speaks authoritatively on whatever you ask him” and “keeps his cool throughout.” “He was easily the most impressive lawyer that I have worked with for ages.
He is exceptionally and unusually impressive. He takes a pragmatic approach to things and sees the wider picture” says one client (Chambers UK 2013); he “is good at keeping things in context; he thinks laterally about points and doesn’t take silly positions” notes Chambers UK 2012. He “ably leads complex deals and is a very effective negotiator” (Legal 500 2012); “excellent in all aspects” (Legal 500 2011). Sources say “He exudes confidence, and has the ability to match.
He’s practical on what the real issues are and aren’t” notes Chambers UK 2011. Legal 500, 2010 values his “sound judgment coupled with good common sense.” He is held in extremely high regard for “his expert technical and negotiating capabilities” notes Chambers & Partners UK Directory 2009.
He is “an excellent negotiator and transaction manager” (Legal 500, 2009) and has been called an “exceptional lead lawyer, providing practical advice on complex issues and really delivering to a tight schedule when needs be”, he “typifies the common-sense ethos of the firm” (Chambers UK 2007).
A client called him “smart, savvy” and “the best business person I have worked with in any law firm who heads an increasingly impressive practice.” (UK Legal 500 2006) Jeremy has also been rated by clients as an “impressively original thinker” who is “fantastic to work with and technically skilled” flagging up, in particular, his flexibility and knack of ensuring punctual delivery (The Chambers Directory 2005).
Education : University of Oxford, Law
Admissions : England and Wales
Experience :
- Advising Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation on the purchase of Old Spitalfields Market, London for £105 million.
- Advising a Crosstree Real Estate Partners/Helical Bar plc joint venture in relation to the purchase of properties adjoining London’s Old Street roundabout for £60.75 million.
- Advising a US financial institution in its participation in the acquisition of a loan portfolio from Bank of Ireland for $1.8 billion secured principally by high quality, London-based office, multifamily and retail properties.
- Advised Canary Wharf Group plc in a joint venture with Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company to conclude an agreement with Shell International to redevelop the Shell Centre site at South Bank.
- Advised the Canary Wharf Group on a joint venture with a MSREF Fund to undertake the redevelopment of the 300,000 square foot office development, Drapers Gardens scheme, in the City of London.
- Advised Sloane Capital on the purchase and financing of 9 Place Vendôme, Paris at a price in excess of €600m.
- Advised SloaneCap on the forward purchase and leaseback of the Standard Chartered Headquarters’ building developed at 35 Basinghall Street, London EC2 (and then on its subsequent forward sale). Also advised the same client on the forward purchase of the Hilton Hotel at Canary Wharf.
- Advised Bear Stearns on the development and letting of its European Headquarters at Canary Wharf.
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