Neel Sachdev, a prominent British-Indian lawyer known for his influential role in London’s legal market, is turning his attention to real estate development in Portugal’s Algarve region. Sachdev, who currently serves as global vice-chair and head of the London office at Paul Weiss following his high-profile move from Kirkland & Ellis in 2023, has partnered with a local investor on a new residential project.

Sachdev has been instrumental in expanding Paul Weiss's London presence, growing the office from around 15 lawyers to 275 and sparking increased investment from U.S. law firms eager to strengthen their foothold in Europe. As a private equity specialist, Sachdev has helped reshape the competitive landscape in the city, where top legal talent now commands some of the highest partner salaries globally.

His latest venture is a development on a former orange grove outside Santa Bárbara de Nexe in the Algarve. Named Laranjeiras, after the Portuguese word for orange trees, the project began after Sachdev and his partner acquired a plot for €1.5 million in 2022. It currently includes a completed holiday home and ten additional villas are under construction, each expected to span between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet with private pools. Valued at over €3 million apiece, the homes are anticipated to be ready for sale or rental by 2028.

Sachdev’s involvement extends beyond investment; he has taken an active role in designing the property. The finished four-story house features a 25-meter swimming pool, a gym fitted with equipment overseen by his personal trainer—who also works with professional footballers Jadon Sancho and Rio Ferdinand—and interiors decorated with minimalist wooden furniture and Dolce & Gabbana kitchen appliances. Elements reflecting Sachdev’s Indian heritage, such as statues of the Hindu god Ganesh, are integrated into the garden space.

Known for blending professional rigor with personal touches, Sachdev credits an astrologer connected to high-profile clients, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as influencing some of his decisions, from career moves to personnel choices at Paul Weiss.

This real estate project represents an unusual but deliberate sideline for Sachdev, who combines his legal career with entrepreneurial efforts aimed at creating a distinctive lifestyle destination in southern Portugal. The development aligns with his vision of transforming the Algarve into a region reminiscent of California, blending luxury living with relaxed, local culture.