The Legal 500

Lawin has a commanding hold in this practice area and an unrivalled portfolio of premium projects and transactions. The team acted for Lords LB Asset Management’s local investment funds on the €58m acquisition of several properties in the capital, the largest real estate investment to date since the start of the financial crisis. The ‘well-informed’ Tomas Milasauskas heads this sizeable group, in which senior associate Simas Gudynas is identified for having the ‘drive and intensity to do the very best he can for his clients’.

Baltic Legal Solutions Lithuania’s lead real estate partners Kestutis Jungevicius and Gediminas Lisauskas produce ‘good strategic insights’, and represented Snoras Bank in the €80m sale of a 51% stake in three real estate companies. The practice was also instructed by the UK’s Taylor Wessing LLP to advise on local energy projects.

Law Firm Bernotas & Dominas Glimstedt advises on significant developments and transactions, including assisting Solo House UAB with the restructuring of a real estate project from commercial to residential space, and advising Sanitex UAB on the acquisition of a logistics centre outside Kaunas. Kestutis Jaskutelis is ‘very commercial’ and ‘an excellent negotiator’.

Real estate and construction is a key area for Motieka & Audzevicius, which is advising on the construction of a passenger and cargo port and representing a consortium in a public procurement dispute concerning construction of a waste incineration plant. Jovitas Elzbergas leads this ‘results-oriented’ team, which ‘provides clear answers without too much legal jargon’.

Raidla Lejins & Norcous’ clients appreciate the level of partner attention and collegial sharing of knowledge. The group advised construction contractor Vetruna on the €70m Kaunas and Klaipeda indoor arenas built to host the EuroBasket 2011 tournament. Practice head Aušra Mudenaite is ‘multi-talented, creative and sets the standard for her whole team’.

Sorainen is a go-to counsel for heavyweight transactions and projects, and is acting for Hitachi as strategic investor in the new Visaginas nuclear power plant as well as advising Barclays Bank on its property needs and other aspects of its expansion in Lithuania. Managing partner Kestutis Adamonis and his team provide ‘attention, response time and industry knowledge on par with any UK “Magic Circle” or top New York firm’.

Tark Grunte Sutkiene subsumed its real estate practice into its top-ranked M&A department, enlarging its pool of resources. The group is advising LiPol Link, the construction co-ordinator of the proposed electricity power interconnector between Lithuania and Poland, and acting for Ventus Nafta and shareholder PKN ORLEN on numerous construction projects of new fuel stations. Marius Matonis ‘absorbs the essence of the matter and effectively represents the client’s needs’.

Triniti is well recognised in this field, and advises the Lithuanian Road Administration on road reconstruction, maintenance and development. Private sector clients include construction companies Meyer & John and NEGRESKO. Practice head Vytautus Kalmatavicius ‘has clear expertise in real estate, zoning and planning as well as deep construction industry understanding’.

Balciunas & Grajauskas excels in this field and is advising construction company CCM Baltics on a €1m shopping and trade centre. Contentious work includes representing SEB as lender regarding a €50m planning permission dispute with state authorities over a new hotel resort. Marius Grajauskas and Gintaras Balciunas have ‘amazing problem-solving and negotiation skills’.

Attorneys at Law Borenius acted for Kaunas International Airport in an appeal concerning the establishment of sanitary zones, and represented supermarket operator Palink regarding construction and land purchases. Vaidas Mackonis heads the practice and his ‘experience enables him to find the fastest and most advantageous solution’.

Eversheds Saladžius is advising Homburg on several high-value investment acquisitions, and is representing Kaunas City Municipality in various construction disputes. Rimtis Puišys has ‘excellent knowledge of real estate matters’.

MAQS Law Firm is advising on the implementation of Lithuania’s largest waste management project, which is funded by the EU. Head of real estate and construction Saulius Aviža is well regarded for his expertise in this field.

‘Very good and thorough lawyer’ Tomas Venckus heads the team at Varul, and is noted for his ‘legal drafting and English skills that are at a very high international level’. The firm is advising the government on the feasibility of numerous PPP projects, including major road reconstruction and social infrastructure.

bnt Heemann Klauberg Krauklis APB’s Frank Heemann is advising Global Reach Estate Consultants on real estate projects across the CEE.

Juridicon Law Firm led on the €4m sale of certain commercial real estate. Andžej Caikovski and Ingrida Steponaviciene are the key figures.

Vadapalas, Vaitekunas and Partners Eurolex advises on high-value real estate transactions, financing and development matters.