Stoel Rives has hired a large real estate team in Seattle from a local firm.

The US domestic firm recruited the 13 lawyer team from Foster Pepper. Among the new hires were eight partners: Beth Clark, Joe Delaney, John Fandel, Michael Kuntz, Colm Nelson, Chris Osborn, John Santa Lucia and Sabina Shapiro. The team’s focusses encompass advising investors and developers on real estate acquisition, development, and financing.

Commenting on the hires, Stoel Rives’ head of real estate and construction development, Tami Boeck, said they were in part due to client demand. “Our clients are asking for more resources and broader experience,” she said. “Our firm not only assists clients in one state but across multiple states. Adding a high calibre group of lawyers that also has clients in Washington and in Minneapolis really works very well.”

Boeck remarked that the consistency and geographical importance of the Seattle real estate market was another driver behind the hires. “The business decisions made in Seattle, a hub for international companies in the region, impact real estate across the entire Pacific Northwest.”

In the future the firm plans to expand its real estate group in other states. “We are looking for the same opportunity in California and Minneapolis,” Boeck added.