CMS Adds Austin Judson As Partner In Real Estate Practice To Strengthen Middle East Presence

CMS Adds Austin Judson As Partner In Real Estate Practice To Strengthen Middle East Presence

CMS has announced the appointment of Austin Judson as a partner in its real estate practice. Judson joins from Walker Morris and will initially be based in the firm's Manchester office. He is set to relocate to Riyadh in early 2025 to bolster CMS’s real estate capabilities in the Middle East. Additionally, he will collaborate with the firm’s real estate team in the UAE, led by partner Geoff Smith.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Judson brings deep expertise in advising on commercial and mixed-use developments, real estate finance, and insolvency. He has represented major property investors, developers, retailers, and high street banks. Judson also has extensive experience in the sports sector, having worked on real estate matters related to Premier League and Championship clubs, including acquisitions, disposals, leases, and sale-and-leaseback transactions involving sports stadiums.

Marie Scott, CMS partner and co-head of real estate, commented, “Austin’s arrival strengthens our reputation as a leader in real estate law. His appointment aligns with our strategy to enhance our Middle East real estate offering, especially in Saudi Arabia, where there are significant growth opportunities in the sector.”

Mohammed Aldowish, Managing Partner of CMS in Saudi Arabia, added, “The real estate sector is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and there has been growing demand for specialized advice. Austin’s addition to our Riyadh office reflects our ongoing commitment to serving our clients in the Kingdom.”

This appointment is CMS’s sixth partner hire in the Middle East this year, continuing the firm’s expansion across various sectors, including banking & finance, TMT, corporate, energy & infrastructure, and dispute resolution.