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Sarah Copeland

Sarah Copeland, Associate

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2018

Sarah Copeland joined sbkg & associés as a senior associate in 2022.

Sarah specialises in commercial real estate law and assists both French and international investors.

She advises on a broad range of matters in real estate transactions (asset deals and share deals), asset management, commercial leases and construction.

She also assists in contentious matters, such as renewal actions and eviction proceedings.

Sarah spent the first five years of her career in the real estate department of an international law firm in Paris.

Education

Master 2 Real Estate, Construction and Urban Planning Law (2013 - University of Montpellier)
Dual Degree in French Law and English Law - LLB (Hons) and Master 1 Business Law (2012 – Sheffield Hallam University and University of Paris XII)

Languages

English, French

Investment

sbkg & associés advises institutional investors, joint ventures and individual investors in acquisition and sale of real estate and hotels assets, whatever the nature of the operation including the sale of single assets, portfolios, existing buildings, off-plan developments, asset or share deal. The firm’s scope covers all asset classes including housing, offices, retail, warehousing, hotels, rehabilitation clinics, senior homes, and data centers.

  • Legal, tax and regulatory structuring
  • Partnerships/joint ventures
  • Due diligence
  • Drafting and all transaction agreements

Financing

sbkg & associés acts as counsel for lenders and borrowers in the setting up of real estate financing.

  • Advises borrowers on the choice of lender
  • Draws up and negotiates bank term sheets
  • Performs due diligence
  • Negotiates agreements and prepares finance and security package documents

Asset management

sbkg & associés capitalizes on its expertise in the drawing up and negotiation of sophisticated leases, management agreements and hotel operation contracts to help clients make the most of their asset portfolios.

  • Drawing up/negotiating all types of leasing agreements mainly focused on commercial leases
  • Drawing up/negotiating asset management and property management agreements
  • Drawing up/negotiating hotel management agreements

Development, Construction

sbkg & associés advises and assists clients during construction, development and refurbishment projects of all real estate asset classes.

  • Legal structuring and risk management of the operation (development contract, general contractor, project manager, trade contractors, agent for contracting authority)
  • Analysis of building and administrative authorisations
  • Drawing up and negotiating the development agreements, trade contractor agreements
  • Drawing up and negotiating contracts relating to project management, agents, building engineers and surveyors
  • Monitoring development with steering committee, monitoring committee, payments, practical and full completion, lifting of swagging items, builders guarantee

Dispute resolution and litigation

sbkg & associés advises clients in dealing with real estate disputes and litigation.

  • Assisting in preventing litigation
  • Developing strategies the client’s best interest
  • Providing support to find amicable arrangements
  • Representing client before the Courts
  • Criminal law Business

Tax

sbkg & associés advises institutional investors, groups and listed companies, real estate developers and dealers regarding the acquisition and holding strategy of all kind of real estate assets (offices, retails, logistics, residential, hotels and leisure, health establishments). SBKG advises notably its clients in the tax structuring of their investments on all kind of operations (single asset, portfolio, share deals or asset deals).

  • Due diligence share deal / asset deal
  • Tax structuring / Restructuration or reorganization of group of companies
  • Tax assistance on setting-up of investment vehicle (SIIC, OPPCI, SPFs)
  • Tax assistance on litigations with the tax authorities
  • Taxes on the asset (VAT regime, town planning taxes)
  • Real estate wealth tax management