The Legal 500

Real estate remains an important practice for Attorneys at Law Borenius, which assisted UAB Dojus with the purchase of a plot of land for the construction of an agricultural machinery sales and service centre. Practice head Laine Skopina is advising UAB Baltic New Energy Technologies on a long-term lease agreement with a port authority regarding the construction of an oil refinery.

Glimstedt & Partneri’s Ivars Pommers advised joint venture New Europe on the €50m construction of the State Revenue Authority’s new headquarters in Riga. Newly recruited senior associate Kārlis Ronis is assisting A.C.B. on the international tender and procurement process for the Riga International Airport runway reconstruction.

Lawin is particularly strong in all aspects of transactional real estate and reported an increase in development work in 2012. Highlights included advising major retailer H&M Hennes & Mauritz on its entry into the Latvian market, including shopping centre lease agreements for H&M shops, and advising a leading Baltic retail chain on the purchase of a partially built shopping mall. Managing partner Filips Klavins is the key contact.

Guntars Zile’s solid team at Raidla Lejins & Norcous has been advising on property transactions, portfolio restructurings and developments. Zile advised Alvo Park on a real estate development project in Riga and related disputes with neighbouring property owners, and also advised Nordkalk on the construction of a lime terminal in Liepaja Port.

Sorainen has ‘very good knowledge and experience’, and acts for local and international real estate developers, investors, construction companies, and state bodies. Practice head Girts Ruda advised Beveron Holdings on its €15.6m acquisition of 353 flats in a residential building complex in Riga. Janis Likops is ‘diligent and precise’.

Amber Law’s clients appreciate its ‘very prompt and professional responses on all requests, personalised approach and ability to identify and manage existing and potential legal risks’. The team advised Coca-Cola HBC on the development and construction of a new production plant; and World Services on its acquisition of Hotel Metropole in old town Riga. The ‘highly professional’ Annija Svemberga ‘demonstrates an excellent ability to work efficiently under high pressure without losing focus on the target’.

Eversheds Bitans shows ‘deep understanding of the local legal system’, and impresses with its ‘high level of professionalism, commitment to clients’ needs and business integrity’. Ilze Kramina is advising joint venture Riga Fertilizer Terminal on the construction of a fertiliser handling and storage terminal within the territory of the Freeport of Riga, including environmental disputes before an administrative court.

Kronbergs & Cukste’s ‘highly efficient team’ is particularly recommended for ‘the biggest deals in the Baltic states’, and ‘can handle most complicated negotiations on a win-win basis’. Clients include include Microsoft, German construction company Bauplan Nord and NyKredit Bank. Practice head Valters Kronbergs is ‘competent, flexible and fast’.

Magnusson combines its expertise in real estate transactions with strong capability in dispute resolution. It is a go-to firm for construction-related public procurement litigation, and has also been handling cases relating to distressed assets. Practice head Gints Vilgerts is assisting Saliena with the sale of land to Swiss investor Divertimento Investment.

Linda Strause’s team at Tark Grunte Sutkiene advises leading energy producers, construction companies, manufacturers and service providers on large infrastructure and real estate projects. Recent highlights include acting for Graanul Invest on the €20m construction of a wooden pellet factory, and advising the Latvian branch of Nordea Bank Finland on due diligence and compliance issues pertaining to a renewable energy production project.

Senior associate Renars Gasuns heads bnt Attorneys-at-law’s real estate practice, which was instructed to advise GAMA Power Systems on the €350m reconstruction of Riga’s second thermal power plant.

Name partner Baiba Plaude at boutique firm Blueger & Plaude is widely renowned, particularly for her skills in real estate litigation.

Real estate is a core practice at LetLaw, which advised Turkish airport operator TAV Airport Holding and other companies in its group on the lease and sublease of commercial spaces at Riga International Airport; and Riga Airport Commercial Development on renovation. Laura Zalana is the main contact.

MAQS Law Firm handles contentious and non-contentious property and construction law matters.