Greenberg Traurig has hired a quintet of real estate lawyers from Dutch law firm NautaDutilh as it seeks to broaden its reach in Europe.

The team is led by partner David Van Dijk, whose practice spans real estate transactions and disputes, with a particular focus on commercial real estate. He advises on investments, funds, project development, asset management and property finance.

Richard Rosenbaum, Greenberg’s executive chairman, said: “David and his team will add top tier excellence, reputation, work ethic, and further diversity in Amsterdam, our very first office opened outside the US in 2003. This move builds on earlier additions there of Bas Vletter, Herald Jongen, Sabine Schoute, and others in the corporate, private equity, and finance areas and we expect David and team to thrive on our platform.”

Van Dijk brings with him almost 25 years of legal experience, having spent just over a decade at NautaDutilh, most recently as head of international real estate in London and head of its real estate services group in Amsterdam.

Van Dijk said: “Over the past decade, real estate as an asset class and hedging tool has become increasingly important for institutional investors. The real estate industry has matured and become global, with sophisticated institutional players. Transactions typically span multiple jurisdictions and require an integrated approach across countries and various specialisations.”

He added: “Historically, Greenberg Traurig has long been the leading firm in the international real estate industry. This makes the move a logical choice for our team.”

In September, Greenberg Traurig hired finance and restructuring partner Helena Nathanson from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) in London.

Last month, BCLP hired a team of seven real estate lawyers from CMS Francis Lefebvre in Paris as it sought to expand its presence in the French capital and continue to grow its global real estate practice. The team included partner Pierre Popesco, and followed the arrival of partners Henry Ranchon, Laurent Schittenhelm and David Blondel from French firm Franklin in January.