Ben Chahoud recently joined our Property & Development practice as a senior associate in Sydney. He spoke to us about the appeal of working as part of a small team to grow ABL’s renowned property practice in Sydney, and where ABL and its client base stand out in the market.
You chose to join ABL at a time when the property & development practice in Sydney is being reestablished. That’s a big decision to make. What excited you about that opportunity?
Being in a position to help mould and build the Sydney property practice within an established and highly regarded Australian firm was what appealed to me most. We’re a growing team of motivated property lawyers looking to expand ABL’s property footprint across Australia. Through our legal expertise and commercial acumen, whilst leveraging off ABL’s brand and existing client relationships, I‘m confident that we’ll be able to capitalise on the Sydney market.
Having worked in Brisbane and Sydney at several well-known law firms, what stands out to you most about your experience at ABL so far when compared to other firms you have worked with?
The lawyers at ABL are given a great deal of autonomy and trust by the firm’s partners. This creates a motivating environment where lawyers embrace responsibility. There’s a real focus on growing your personal brand and an emphasis on client relationships.
"The lawyers at ABL are given a great deal of autonomy and trust by the firm’s partners."
What are your early impressions of the ABL client base?
Loyal – which I’ve noticed through the volume of significant deals I’ve worked on since the start of 2024, during a time where the market is still recovering from interest rate pressures. Deals I’ve acted on this year include the acquisitions of three shopping centres and the sales of two office buildings and three development sites. In a tough and competitive legal market, it’s great to see that our clients still treat ABL as their first port of call. It’s a diverse client base, consisting of REITs, private developers and everything in between.
ABL prides itself on encouraging lawyers to “bring their whole selves to work”. Tell us about something you are passionate about outside of the office.
Working in an office all day, I think it’s important to stay physically healthy, so I try to exercise every morning before work (emphasis on the word “try”). Travel is a huge passion of mine and as my wife is from London I’ve had many trips to the UK and Europe. I love watching sport, the English Premier League is my current addiction (a product of spending too much time in the UK…).
