Page 51 - Yearbook 2020

GEMMA MERRY
PQE: 15 years
Gemma joined DJB in 2016 following a career at Capsitcks LLP. Gemma is experienced in acting for a variety of occupants in healthcare and retail premises, including acting for a well- known retailer on the Assignment of a Lease, Lease Renewals and Surrenders in various London locations. She has advised on leases for of ce space for Defra, AHDB and others as well as acting for an NHS organisation on a third-party development.
JO BRIERS
PQE: 16 years
Jo joined DJB in 2019 following a career at Dentons UK & Middle East LLP. Jo has extensive retail experience, including advising retailers such as Argos, Homebase and Sainsbury’s PLC on their estate management matters. She also notably advised Kier Property Developments Limited as part of the team working on their high-value developments including an out-of-town retail development in South London.
JAN PUVI
PQE: 22 years
Jan joined DJB in 2017 following a career at Gowling WLG. Jan specialises in property litigation and her experience includes: advising on contentious issues arising out of the estates of L&G, Zurich, Scottish and Newcastle PLC and Westbrook; advising retail tenants such as Tesco and Debenhams on contentious issues pursuant to covenants in a lease; and pursuing an enfranchisement claim on large residential developments at Dolphin Square in London.
JOHN STARR
PQE: 30 years
John joined DJB in 2017 as a construction consultant, following a career at Dentons and as Head of Construction at Boyes Turner. John’s career highlights include: two recently reported cases in the Technology and Construction Court; disputes in relation to Heathrow Terminal 2 and 22 Bishopsgate on behalf of a sub-contractor; and a successful high-value adjudication relating to defective runway resurfacing works at Farnborough Airport.
JAMES VERNON-STROUD
PQE: 25 years
James joined DJB in 2013 after a career at Burges Salmon, Eversheds and as Head of UK Real Estate at Squire Sanders & Dempsey. James’ career highlights include: wind farm acquisitions and development advice to a German power company’s UK division; leading a 50-lawyer team in creating a major UK Shopping Centre Fund; and advising on the acquisition of a UK storage business by Cintas Corporation’s European BV company.
JONATHAN WARNER-REED
PQE: 19 years
Jonathan joined DJB in 2019 following a career at Fox Hayes and Lupton Fawcett. Jonathan is a property litigation specialist and has notably acted on: a high-pro le claim in relation to South Bank Development on behalf of Formby 2019 Limited; one of the leading cases on adverse possession, Heaney V Kirkby [2015] UKUT178 (TCC); and securing award of legal costs over awed planning procedures on behalf of an entire village against Hambleton District Council.
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