Paula Macnamara

Paula Macnamara is a Partner in the banking and finance team at Birketts, specialising in real estate finance and private wealth lending.

She advises both lenders and borrowers on complex domestic and cross‑border finance transactions, with a focus on delivering pragmatic, commercially focused solutions.

With over 20 years’ experience, Paula acts for major UK and international banks, private wealth lenders, insurance‑backed lenders and private credit providers, as well as borrowers.

Her real estate finance work spans investment and development financings, senior and mezzanine structures, loan‑on‑loan arrangements and corporate restructurings, across all asset classes including offices, retail, hotels, logistics, student accommodation, residential and industrial property.

In the private wealth arena, Paula advises on a wide range of bilateral and syndicated lending, acquisition finance, new product launches and structured and corporate finance matters, often involving high‑value assets and complex ownership arrangements.

Before joining Birketts, Paula trained and practised for 25 years at an international City law firm, working in London and overseas. She has also completed multiple secondments to a major UK bank, giving her valuable insight into lenders’ internal processes and decision‑making, and enabling her to advise clients with a strong understanding of their commercial drivers.

Experience & education

2014 – 2018 Managing Associate, Simmons & Simmons LLP

2003 – 2014 Associate, Simmons & Simmons LLP

2018 Admitted to partnership, Simmons & Simmons LLP 2026 – Partner, Birketts

2003 Admitted as a Solicitor

2001 – 2003 Trainee, Simmons & Simmons LLP