The Legal 500

Lawin excels in this field, evidenced by its involvement in Lithuania’s new multibillion-euro nuclear power plant development. The firm also closed the first real estate investment transaction since 2008, acting for Lords AB Asset Management in its acquisition of the Danske Bank headquarter in Vilnius. The widely admired Tomas Milasauskas demonstrates ‘initiative’, solving problems in both a ‘commercial and creative way’. Dolvile Burgiene adds weight to the team.

The strengthened team at Baltic Legal Solutions Lithuania includes Raimundas Jurevicius, Gytis Kaminskas and Dainius Stasiulis. The firm acts for a number of major domestic developers and investors, such as Hakonlita and Klaipedos versio parkas, and is providing ongoing advice to KRS Group, one of the largest specialised construction companies in Lithuania.

Traditionally a leading player, Law Firm Bernotas & Dominas Glimstedt has been less prominent recently. The expertise remains, however, with clients noting ‘industry knowledge at an excellent level’. Head of the practice Remigijus Jakutis has a ‘deal-making approach’ and ‘understands clients’ objectives’. The firm advised a Swedish real estate fund on the acquisition of a major Baltic real estate management and consulting group.

Motieka & Audzevicius has ‘flawless industry knowledge’, advising a substantial client base on real estate acquisitions, developments and construction. Vilnius City Municipality is a key client, which it is advising on a number of major projects, such as the western detour construction works. At €78m, it is the capital city’s most expensive project. Jovitas Elzbergas leads the busy practice.

The ‘very strong’ Aušra Mudenaite at Raidla Lejins & Norcous is a leading practitioner in this arena, steering a sizable team of senior associates that was augmented in 2009 with several hires, including Olga Petroševiciene from Lawin. The firm acted for Nukem Technologies, a service provider in the nuclear industry, as main contractor in two construction projects at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Clients include Swedbank and Homburg Group.

Sarka, Sabaliauskas, Jankauskas punches above its weight in this area, its experienced team, including Arunas Šarka, Linas Sabaliauskas and Vytautas Kalmatavicius, attracting some high-profile matters. Developer Ranga IV Investicijos is a key client, which the firm is advising on the construction of solid radioactive waste management facilities at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.

Sorainen ‘is a fantastic firm that knows how to cater for international companies venturing into Lithuania for the first time’, say clients. Managing partner Kestutis Adamonis continues to steer the practice and ‘always understands the core issue’. The firm is acting for Barclays Bank on its leasing needs, and representing Iberdrola in Lithuania’s largest construction project, the planned €300m gas turbine power plant.

Donatas Zdanavicius leads a successful practice at Tark Grunte Sutkiene and receives plaudits for his ‘outstanding negotiation skills and business-orientated approach’ while ‘transactions are perfectly structured and finalised’. The firm is acting for 4energia on the planning issues and construction of wind power plants in Lithuania. It is also advising VPA Real Estate on the €300m construction of the largest logistics centre in the Klaipeda sea port area and other projects.

The finance expertise of Balciunas & Grajauskas is utilised in a number of senior projects, such as acting for Energija on the construction of a gas pipeline from Mazeikiai to a main oil refinery plant. Gintaras Balciunas advised PK Invest on the construction and subsequent €23m real estate sale of a residential quarter in Vilnius old town.

Attorneys at Law Borenius is advising a Belgian company on the public procurement procedure for the construction of a series of buildings. Dalia Foigt is leading the advice and much of the firm’s work in this sector.

Eversheds Saladžius fields a ‘high quality’ team in Aušrys Šilavas and Jonas Saladžius. A decent caseload amid a difficult market includes advice to the Lithuanian National Library on its redevelopment and related public procurement. Homburg is a regular client.

Many of VARUL work highlights include significant real estate and construction elements, including acting for the state government in both the €100m PPP for a new national stadium, and in the liquidation of national electricity company LEO, which involved the transfer of major real estate objects. Andrius Smaliukas is also leading advice to Vilnius International Airport.

bnt Heemann Klauberg Krauklis APB’s Frank Heemann advises Global Real Estate Consult, a German specialist in CEE real estate, in ongoing real estate projects in the region, including project development and management.

Real estate is a key area of practice for Juridicon Law Firm, where Laimonas Marcinkevicius handles a broad range of property law matters, including transaction financing. Recent clients include a foreign investor, which the firm represented in the management, restructuring and development of €3.5m-worth of commercial real estate.

MAQS Law Firm advises on commercial property transactions, developments and investments, as well as planning, leasing and environmental aspects. Of note is the firm’s service in property-related tax law, advising investors from Sweden and Denmark.

Managing partner Mindaugas Vadapalas leads the real estate and construction work at Vadapalas, Vaitekunas and Partners Eurolex. The bulk of the firm’s practice is advising foreign investors on the acquisition of real estate and other property-related investments.