Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas has hired Khaitan & Co real estate partner Abhishek Sharma to co-head its real estate practice from Mumbai.

The 2002 GLC Mumbai graduate will be co-heading the practice at CAM with Bangalore-based partner Namrata Kolar, with partner Sandeep Dave as “senior mentor”, in the newly created national practice vertical.

Kolar was promoted to partner at what-was-then Amarchand Mangaldas, in 2011.

Managing partner Cyril Shroff commented in a release: “The real estate sector in India presents a major growth opportunity for the firm. Appointment of Abhishek and Namrata, as co-heads for our real estate practice is a reflection of our focus for creation of a national and integrated practice across the six offices of the firm.”

Sharma specialises in commercial and residential real estate transactions, having advised domestic and international corporates, developers, funds and high net-worth individuals. He has worked on Special Townships, information technology parks, Special Economic Zones, commercial properties, Agricultural Lands, and RERA.

Sharma added: “CAM does great work in the space. With my experience and the vast opportunities lying ahead of us as a team, we are looking ahead to very interesting times and to creating a leading national real estate practice.”

Khaitan executive director Amar Sinhji commented: “Abhishek has contributed substantially to the growth of our real estate practice in Mumbai. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”