The Legal 500

Baker & McKenzie, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár provides ‘outstanding service’ and is among ‘the best there is’. It advised ITT Holdings Czech Republic on the future lease and lease extension of its greenfield manufacturing facilities, and Telefónica Czech Republic on its sale of land via tender, turnkey construction and subsequent leaseback. David Šimonek is an ‘outstanding lawyer’ and ‘great business partner’.

CMS Cameron McKenna v.o.s.’s comprehensive real estate practice advised Somerston Group on the sale of Olympia Shopping Centre to a joint venture, and an Aerium Group fund in the €181m cross-border refinancing of a shopping centre portfolio. Prague-based Hilary McDowell heads the CEE real estate practice group and managing partner Iveta Plachá focuses on real estate, property finance, and construction law.

Clifford Chance’s main focus remains real estate finance but it also advises on leasing and development. It advised Pfizer Inc on the sale and leaseback of its Prague headquarters, and UniCredit Bank on relocating its headquarters to Prague 4. It also advised on the sale of Palác Andel. Emil Holub heads the team.

Havel, Holásek & Partners s.r.o. advises public and private sector clients on all aspects of real estate transactions and projects, including zoning, planning, and PPP. It is advising City of Tábor on the €44m long lease of a brownfield site for restoration and development via EU and government funds in the form of a hybrid PPP project. It handles the real estate needs of several Czech ministries and companies such as Arcadis, Hochtief, Coca-Cola, and Hyundai Motoring Manufacturing.

Salans Europe LLP has a ‘strong team with deep legal and technical knowledge’, particularly for advising real estate investors. It also has significant experience advising developers and lenders. Olga Humlová heads the practice, with support from Evan Lazar and Jirí Stržínek. The team advised AFI Europe and Avestus Capital Partners on the €191m sale of Palác Flóra shopping mall, and European Property Investors Special Opportunities on its €300m acquisition of an 80% stake in six industrial parks.

White & Case represents investors, banks, real estate funds and developers in development, construction, investment and restructuring. It advised VGP N.V. on its €300m sale of its 80% majority share in six industrial parks, and the Municipality of Prague on the €1.7bn Blanka tunnel project. Petr Pánek heads the team, and Václav Kubr is recommended.

Allen & Overy recently advised Eksportfinans ASA on financing four photovoltaic power plants for Scatec Group, and continues to advise Hill’s Pet Nutrition on the construction of its factory in South Moravia. Jane Townsend heads the practice. Magda Pokorna joined from Squire Sanders, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár.

bpv Braun Partners s.r.o. adopts a ‘no-nonsense, business-oriented approach, moving deals quickly to closing’, and has particular strength in greenfield developments. Practice head Jirí Bárta is ‘quick thinking’, and ‘ready to solve problems no matter how complicated’.

Kinstellar s.r.o advokátní kancelár is ‘very technical, capable, and responsive,’ and ‘understands the commercial needs of the client’. Klára Štepánková, head of real estate, and Kamil Blažek, head of projects, are recommended. Blažek continued to advise Czech Property Investments on various real estate acquisitions, and Štepánková is advising Tesco on the acquisition of Forum Liberec shopping centre as well as on buying Zabka and PR Market convenience stores and supermarkets.

PRK Partners has particular expertise in acting for banks in real estate financings including advising HYPO NOE Gruppe Bank on three Prague office building financings, Raiffeinsenbank on financing two photovoltaic power plants, and Komercní banka on financing a medical facility and multi-purpose building. It also advises on construction, leasing and state-funded developments.

Peterka & Partners continues to advise Sogeprom on multimillion-euro real estate acquisitions, financings, and development projects. It is advising Skanska on a public procurement tender for a highways infrastructure project, and CEG on matters relating to Vienna Gate. Ondrej Dušek is the primary contact.

Schoultz & Partners’ ‘strong’, highly recommended practice can ‘think outside the box’ and handle complex, multi-jurisdictional investments, developments, management, and property sales or purchases. It advised GE Real Estate and Avestus Capital Partners on the sale of a Bulgarian shopping centre and office complex, and is also advising on purchases and licensing for a photovoltaic power project. Katie Schoultz and Jiri Simecek are ‘pragmatic, flexible, and have vital problem-solving skills’.

Squire Sanders, v.o.s., advokátní kancelár advises developers, investors, and Czech property funds on financing, investment, acquisition and development. It advised GE Real Estate on its €48m disposal of IGY Shopping Centre, and is acting on three mixed-use city centre developments. Practice head Jeff McGehee and Radek Janecek are the names to note.

Weinhold Legal, v.o.s.’s ‘very good, very responsive’ team is particularly busy with commercial lease instructions, including advising Citibank on the lease of its Brno branch. It continues to advise Grandi Stazioni on renovating three railway stations. Practice head Pav Younis is ‘personable, efficient, and very commercially minded’. Senior attorney Lukáš Zahrádka is also recommended.

Achour & Hajek s.r.o. Law Firm advises major local developers and foreign corporations on domestic real estate matters. It is advising Russian machinery manufacturer OSTROV on a new factory, and Czech developer Trigema on multimillion-euro construction and development projects in and around Prague. Gabriel Achour is the key contact.

Balcar Polanský Eversheds is advising RODOP on two residential developments and the acquisition and completion of a luxury residential complex. ‘Knowledgeable and responsive’ team head Ludmila Neustupna is advising Hotel Properties Limited on the acquisition of a five-star hotel. Martin Kucera left the firm.

Real estate specialist Giese & Partner advises on cross-border transactions and financing. It represented Westmont Hospitality Group on its complex €101m purchase of InterContinental Hotel Prague, and is advising key client Deutsche Pfandbriefbank on pan-European financing of logistics centres. It also represented Pawlowski in the sale of COPA Centrum Národní. Martin Holler is the name to note.

Martin Dancišin heads Glatzová & Co S.R.O’s team, which has recently focused on commercial real estate transactions. It is advising Erste Group Immorent on the sale of Lyra Office Building and Futurama Building, and VB Real Estate Services Czechia on selling a hypermarket in Moravia.

Haskovcova & Co. is a boutique specialising in real estate and real estate finance. It is extensively advising Creciston, which holds property valued at CZK1bn. This highly responsive team provides ‘excellent value for money’, and ‘proactively seeks solutions to mitigate business risks’. Thu Nga Haskovcova is a ‘strong personality’, gets ‘straight to the point’, and has ‘extensive knowledge and contacts for doing business in the CEE region and internationally’.

Hogan Lovells (Prague) LLP represents major client Karlin Group, which it recently advised on a number of disposals of portfolio companies, projects, and land, including the sale of River Garden Office West. It also advised Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan on its majority investment in a joint venture acquiring a number of Czech shopping centres. Managing partner Miroslav Dubovsky heads the practice.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges acts extensively for Czech government entities on major PPP and infrastructure projects, and is also advising the City of Prague as investor in the Prague inner circular motorway. It is advising EVRAZ Vitovice Steel on ownership rights, and continues to advise CEZ on the proposed construction of nuclear power plants. Karel Muzikar and Petr Severa head the practice, in which Martin Kramar is recommended.

Wilson & Partners v. o. s., advokátní kancelár advises top-end clients across the gamut of corporate real estate and real estate financing. It advised Internationales Immobilien-Institut on buying office buildings in Prague, including a three-phase project with cross-easements and covenants. It acted for PwC on leasing new headquarters. Tesco is a key client. Ivan Telecký, who joined from Allen & Overy, is recommended for corporate real estate. Practice head Bryan Wilson is also recommended.

Wolf Theiss in co-operation with Czech lawyers is advising on transactions relating to shopping centres, hotels, and infrastructure projects, including advising IMMOEAST on the acquisition and development of malls in South Moravia. New practice head Michal Pravda replaced Jakub Adam, who joined DLA Piper Prague LLP.

Prague-based team head Jirí Šterba focuses BBH, advokatni kancelar, v.o.s.’s practice on financing, development, and acquisitions, and has particular expertise in advising Russian real estate ventures. The group is advising Credoma on restructuring its €40m real estate portfolio.

bnt – pravda & partner, s.r.o. advises on corporate real estate and purchase or sale transactions. It is advising a major German client on developing six office buildings and selling four apartment blocks in Prague. Pavel Pravda and Tomáš Behounek are recommended.

Bird & Bird advises on real estate development, construction, and acquisitions. It is advising a consortium of international developers and financiers on several development projects in Prague. Vladimír Nyc is recommended.

DLA Piper Prague LLP’s Peter Valert focuses on projects and construction. Of counsel Eva Dobrohrušková assists investors with administrative, hotel, and retail development projects.

Dvorák & spol., advokátní kancelár’s team is ‘dynamic, efficient, and flexible’. Stanislav Servus is recommended, and is advising Tengelmann Real Estate International on land acquisition and construction relating to new stores. Servus is also advising Bondi Consulting as buyer of an SPV owning disputed property.

enwc Natlacen Walderdorff Cancola Attorneys at Law provides a ‘high level of service’ to its mainly Austrian client base on Czech real estate acquisitions and leasing. It also recently advised IMCD Czech Republic on the sale of its warehouse. Practice head Erwin Hanslik and Petr Dobeš are recommended.

Kališ Opletal & Partneri, Advokátní Kancelár advises on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious real estate matters. OTOL Company is a key client. Tomáš Opletal is recommended.

Randa Havel Legal is best known for its construction law practice, advising on residential and commercial developments and EPC contracts in energy projects. Clients include Šmukýrka Development and ŠKODA POWER. Martin Randa and Tomáš Slabý are recommended.

Rutland Jezek, Advokatni Kancelar has been busy advising corporate sellers of commercial and residential real estate, and also provides ‘excellent service’ on leasing agreements. It is advising URBAN Developers on the sale of an office building and purchase of a shopping centre with subsequent redevelopment. Team head Monika Rutland and Mojmír Ježek are recommended.

Schoenherr’s Martin Kubánek focuses on corporate real estate transactions. Kubánek is advising Hornbach on construction of DIY stores, and Gondrand Switzerland in various zoning and construction matters. IVG and SEB remain key clients. Jaroslava Malcová left the firm.

Vejmelka & Wünsch, s.r.o. advised LEGO on acquiring a factory and additional land for expansion. It also advised City of Rumbark on its sale of industrial property and continues to represent REWE and OMV. Martin Peckl is recommended.

Velíšek & Podpera, advokátní kancelár s.r.o’s growing team advises on construction, development, investment, and financing. It represented Raiffeisen Leasing on its acquisition and leaseback of Hotel Dvorák, and is advising Erste Group in five litigations pertaining to failed projects. Rainer Frank is recommended.

Zilvarová Ctibor Hladký specialises in leasing but also advises on acquisition, construction, and development, as well as related litigation. The well-regarded Radek Hladký is advising (Raiffeisen) Impuls Leasing Austria on the leasing and €9m expansion of Malvazinsky Hospital and continues to advise Bawag Leasing & Fleet. Jirí Ctibor is also recommended.