Bristol-based partner Michelle McGurl is the new head of the projects, real estate and finance (PREF) practice group at international legal practice Osborne Clarke.

Michelle has been at Osborne Clarke for 13 years, having joined the firm in 2007. She was promoted to partner in 2011. 

Michelle has strong real estate sector expertise, specialising in all areas of residential, mixed use and strategic development work. 

Michelle is well recognised across the residential sector for her expertise and her client list includes several of the UK's largest residential developers. She acts on acquisitions and sales, joint ventures and regeneration schemes, and also has a real understanding of the plots process. Her clients also include numerous FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 house builders as well as bespoke developers, registered providers and landowners. 

The PREF practice group has over 40 partners and over 90 fee-earners working across Osborne Clarke's offices in Bristol, London and Reading, in the firm's real estate and infrastructure, financial services and energy and utilities sectors. Key clients include residential developers, financial institutions, student accommodation providers, energy providers, institutional investors and fund managers.