CMS strengthens real estate team with new partner focused on Middle East

CMS has announced that Austin Judson is joining its real estate practice as a partner. Initially based in the firm’s Manchester office, Judson will relocate to Riyadh in early 2025 to strengthen CMS’s real estate capabilities in the Middle East. Alongside his focus on Saudi Arabia, Judson will work closely with CMS’s established real estate team in the UAE, led by partner Geoff Smith.

 Judson has over 28 years’ experience working on large, complex commercial and mixed-use development work, as well as real estate finance and insolvency. He has acted for a number of the major property investors and developers, as well as retailers and high street banks. Judson also has extensive experience in the sports sector having acted for the administrators on the real estate aspects of a number of the Premiership League and Championship clubs as well as the purchase of a Premier League club. This has led to acquisitions, disposals, leases, and sale and leasebacks of a number of sports stadia.

Partner and co-head of real estate at CMS, Marie Scott, commented, “Austin brings a wealth of expertise, and his arrival will further elevate our reputation as the leading law firm for real estate. His appointment is a pivotal step in our strategy to enhance our Middle East real estate offering with on-the-ground support in Saudi Arabia – a dynamic market that presents significant growth opportunities for the practice and our clients. We are delighted to have him on board.”

Mohammed Aldowish, managing partner of CMS in Saudi Arabia, added, “The real estate sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key pillar under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Having seen a growth in demand for specialist real estate advice from our clients, bringing in a partner of Austin’s calibre to join our Riyadh office is a terrific addition to our existing capabilities and demonstrates our long-standing commitment to support our clients in the Kingdom.”

 Judson added, “I am delighted to join CMS. The firm’s unrivalled sector expertise and its excellent international network provide me with a strong platform to bring my experience to the Middle East real estate market and help the firm’s clients make the most of the exciting opportunities that Saudi Arabia offers. I look forward to working with the team.”