Hall Of Fame

Firms To Watch: Real estate and construction

drill. Law Firm is experienced across the range of real estate, construction and planning matters. Uldis Judinskis is the key name to note.
Janis Karklins Law Firm is well versed in both the transactional and disputes sides of real estate and construction. Founding partner Jānis Kārkliņš is the key senior contact.

Real estate and construction in Latvia

Cobalt

Cobalt‘s real estate, energy and infrastructure department assists leading developers and investors with large commercial and industrial real estate and construction projects, handling a mixture of contentious and non-contentious matters. The practice is also mentioned for its specialisms in energy development and renewables; energy sub-group head Gatis Flinters is key in these areas. With over 25 years’ experience, Dace Silava-Tomsone heads up the wider practice. Toms Sulmanis brings additional expertise in residential and commercial property to the group. Associate Juta Meimere is noted for transactional and lease-related work, while Artūrs Valderšteins specialises in energy, planning and administrative disputes.

Practice head(s):

Dace Silava-Tomsone


Other key lawyers:

Gatis Flinters; Toms Sulmanis; Juta Meimere; Artūrs Valderšteins


Key clients

AFI Investments SIA


AirBaltic Corporation AS


Astor Group


Baltic Green Investments


Consolis Latvija SIA


Corum Asset Management


Enersense


Hili Properties


Hepsor Latvia OÜ


I Asset Management


Kapitel SIA


Latvenergo AS


Linstow group


Swietelsky AG


VPH group


Volvo Truck Latvia


Workland Latvia SIA


Eiffage Genie Civil


Work highlights


  • Advising Air Baltic on the development of its Maintenance Repair & Operation hangar at its home base, Riga International Airport.
  • Advising real estate developer VPH on the development of a new shopping complex in the centre of Riga, with an investment of up to €40m.
  • Assisted energy infrastructure contractor Enersense SIA, within the formation of a joint venture with Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG, with the supply and installation of three synchronous condensers for the Latvian transmission system operator, with a total contract value of €114m.

Ellex

Ellex‘s team covers the spectrum of transactions, registrations, leasings, and litigations in the real estate and construction space. The practice advises developers and investment funds on projects ranging from complex mixed developments, to wind and solar parks. Practice head Ivars Pommers is well versed in real estate, construction, environmental, and tax structuring issues. Ilga Gudrenika-Krebs is noted for her experience in assisting those entering the Latvian market. Other key contacts include commercial expert Inita Jurka, disputes specialist Anete Dimitrovska, and associate Inese Freivalde.

Practice head(s):

Ivars Pommers


Other key lawyers:

Ilga Gudrenika-Krebs; Inita Jurka; Anete Dimitrovska; Inese Freivalde


Testimonials

‘Extremely loyal and trustworthy firm. Highest level of integrity is the name of the game with the Ellex real estate team.’

‘Ivars Pommers is the hall of famer for the RE industry in Latvia. Not only the insights to best market practises, but also general understanding of the market is superb.’

‘Solid team with all-round legal coverage on various subjects. You know that it is a one-stop shop for all your legal needs, with solid representation in all three Baltic countries.’

Key clients

Blackstone


IKEA Latvian franchise holder SIA Paul Mason Properties/SIA Verus Praedium


Eastnine


VIG Fund


Swedbank AS


Luminor


Bonava


YIT


Orkla


Kesko


VMG Group


Jysk


SUPPA Advisers


Ingleby Latvia Agro, SIA


BTA Baltic Insurance Company


Sportland


Lords LB Asset Management


SG Capital


Capitalica Asset Management


Northern Horizon


Hanner


Estera Development


Vilvi Group


SPI Group Companies


Pillar


New Century Holdings


Itella


Wilo


UCB


Amber Beverage Group


UAB “SIRIN Development”


Ramboll (Rail Baltica)


Enefit Green


FactSet


EestiGaas


UCB


Jysk


Work highlights


  • Advising Lords LB on multifunctional office, retail and hotel development Preses Nama Kvartāls in Riga.
  • Advised IKEA’s Latvian franchise holder on opening an IKEA store in Latvia, assisting with all related infrastructure and development matters.
  • Advised real estate developer Hanner Group on the sale of Place Eleven to East Capital Real Estate.

Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns

Led by Ilze Kramiņa, the real estate and construction team at Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns advises on a breadth of high-value transactions and construction agreements. Lease agreements are anothe areas of expertise, as are relevant administrative and civil disputes. Ginta Krūkle has wide-ranging expertise in public law, real estate and disputes. Senior associate Laima Eglīte is another key team member, highlighted for her focus on territorial planning and renewables issues.

Practice head(s):

Ilze Kramiņa


Other key lawyers:

Ginta Krūkle; Laima Eglīte


Testimonials

‘In the Latvian market, you need a trustworthy adviser who has expertise in the field you are working. Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns is trustworthy and has very deep knowledge about real estate and construction.’

‘I have been working in cooperation with Ilze Kramiņa and Laima Eglīte. They are both professionals in the real estate field.’

‘Excellent collaboration.’

‘ESB is a client-oriented team.’

Key clients

LHV Varahaldus (LHV Bank pension funds)


AB Wind, AS


Council of Riga City (Riga municipality)


LiveOn group of companies


Latzeme OÜ


Valsts nekustamie īpašumi, JSC


Energo Wind, LLC


Smartecon OÜ


Kaamos Group


Salaspils Municipality Council


AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” subsidiaries


Liepāja Special economic zone Administration


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented Riga municipality before the Constitutional Court in respect of a new Territorial Plan which is being challenged by a Minister.
  • Advising the LiveOn group companies in the Baltic on real estate portfolio development and management.
  • Advised Energo Wind LLC on the sale of its 93MW wind farm development project to investors.

Sorainen

Sorainen fields a large and skilled real estate and construction practice, with highlights ranging from the development of company HQs, to large-scale purchase and lease transactions. The team has also been highly active in energy and renewables projects. The practice is headed up by Lelde Laviņa, a transactional specialist, and Jorens Jaunozols, who has extensive dispute resolution expertise. Viktorija Smirnova-Čerkasams is another key contact.

Practice head(s):

Lelde Laviņa; Jorens Jaunozols


Other key lawyers:

Viktorija Smirnova-Čerkasa


Testimonials

‘The uniqueness of Sorainen’s team lies in its pan-Baltic span.’

‘I have experienced good legal advice from Jorens Jaunozols and Lelde Laviņa in Latvia.’

‘In-depth legal knowledge which is highly relevant for our real estate business. Easily accessible sparring partners and legal counsel for our real estate business.’

‘With Jorens Jaunozols and Lelde Laviņa, we now have a long-standing working relationship on quite complex real estate acquisition and development projects. The in-depth legal knowledge combined with a good understanding of our business are key to successful execution of our business endeavors.’

Key clients

RB Rail


Tietoevry Banking Latvia SIA


Linstow


Regus Management Latvia SIA (IWG Company)


Entrepreneurs for Peace


SIA Rigaburger (Hesburger fast food restaurant chain group company)


Union Capital


Sunly Infra SIA (Sunly renewable energy group company)


YIT


SIA Riga Retail Park (VPH real estate development group company)


IWG Group company SIA “RIGA CENTRE COMPANY NO 1”


IWG Group company SIA “Riga Centre Company No. 3”


Utilitas


Simmons & Simmons


Work highlights


  • Advising RB Rail AS on the establishment of the European-width fast double-track Rail Baltica railway project.
  • Assisted Tietoevry Banking Latvia SIA, the developer of the Verde office centre, with a lease transaction.
  • Assisting Linstow with the development of SEB’s Latvian HQ.

TGS Baltic

Described by a client as 'one of the leading providers of legal assistance in the entire market’, TGS Baltic assists a broad range of property owners, developers, and financial institutions with a range of big-ticket real estate and construction matters, ranging from transactions and joint ventures to disputes. Head of real estate and co-head of energy, Linda Štrause, has extensive expertise in infrastructure and environment law matters. Agnese Hartpenga is prominent on regulatory matters, especially those involving wind and solar power. Senior associate Aija Kreicberga  is another integral member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Linda Štrause


Other key lawyers:

Agnese Hartpenga; Sandis Petrovičs; Aija Kreicberga; Normunds Staris; Dita Buša


Testimonials

‘TGS Baltic Law Firm is, in our opinion, one of the leading providers of legal assistance in the entire market. The legal team is responsive and goal-oriented, which ensures the fastest possible result. Every situation is handled professionally to achieve the most beneficial solution for the client.’

‘The most professional real estate team in the market. Linda Štrause, Dita Buša, Normunds Staris and Aija Kreicberga will provide structured, intelligent and immediate legal assistance at any time.’

‘Linda Štrause’s team has extensive experience in transactions, as well as disputes, which are beyond the scope of everyday activities. Linda is a key partner in almost all of our real estate projects. The thing that sets her team apart from others is the core strength and knowledge they are using.’

‘My work with TGS Baltic spans several years, and their rapid growth and competencies at work are so exceptional that I am confident that when giving them assignments for our development, they will be met perfectly. At times, our newly developed sites need more complex solutions, and I am always counting on TGS to do the work.’

‘Linda Štrause is one of the most prominent practitioners I have met, and it is always a pleasure to work with her. Her team has grown this year, which is great as it gives an even faster, high-quality response to my organisation.’

‘Linda Štrause has vast experience in all real estate-related matters, and thus is able to understand the business in its complexity and important nuances. It’s especially important as we’re entering into the Latvian market and there’s a lot to learn about the legal regulations.’

‘Linda Štrause’s personal involvement and hands-on approach is very important for us. We have that person in charge who herself has very vast and complex experience and a high level of personal involvement in all our cases.’

Key clients

Green Genius


Latvenergo AS


Invego OU


Flebomedika SIA


Vestas Wind Systems AS


Moller Mobility Group


VOLTERRA ENERGY GROUP LTD


Strabag


Menard


University of Latvia


Graanul Invest group


DPD Latvija


Latvian Tennis Union


Modo Golf


TIKKURILA


Association of SOS Children’s Villages Latvia


State Real Estate


Grindeks


Work highlights


  • Assisted Green Genius with the acquisition of a 100MW solar PV park project in Latvia.
  • Assisted a group of Estonian investors with a real property acquisition at Duntes street 34 in Riga.
  • Assisting the University of Latvia with the development of a new campus in Torņakalns, Riga.

FORT

FORT‘s ‘reputable and business-oriented’ team advises a multitude of property developers, private equity firms, and other investors on leasings and acquisitions. The team also has experience assisting regulatory bodies with various compliance issues. The practice is led by Jānis Līkops, who combines transactional expertise with construction, zoning and planning knowledge. Other key names include Sandis Bertaitis and Vita Rancane.

Practice head(s):

Jānis Līkops


Other key lawyers:

Sandis Bertaitis; Vita Rancane


Testimonials

‘FORT’s practice is unique, because all their lawyers respond to our questions and perform assignments quickly, and their answers are always understandable, and deadlines are always met.’

‘They are quick to respond, polite, have the talent to explain difficult problems easily and help us to avoid and manage problems that are ”upcoming” but not yet seen by us.’

‘The team of the real estate and construction practice is simply outstanding. The team consists of numerous experts, who also see the bigger picture and altogether bring the client full scope of legal advice.’

Key clients

Baltijas Industrialais Parks


Capital Mill


Rotermann


Eika Asset Management


Krassky


Latvian Red Cross


LNK Properties


Piche


Sodra


Vastint


Work highlights


  • Assisting LNK Properties group with the development of several real estate projects.
  • Assisted the Latvian Red Cross with restitution matters concerning the client’s historic real estate properties which were nationalised during the Second World War, as well as with management of numerous real estate properties.
  • Assisted Vastint Latvia with various related to the development of real estate projects.

VILGERTS

VILGERTS excels in both major M&A transactions and high-value construction disputes, and clients consist of a diverse roster of developers, institutional investors, and construction companies, in addition to public bodies such as the State Environmental Service of Latvia. The practice is led by Gints Vilgerts, who has extensive knowledge across the commercial disputes, M&A, and real estate fields. Litigator Jānis Kubilis is another key member of the team, as are associates Elizabete Bartansone and Anda Staltmane.

Practice head(s):

Gints Vilgerts


Other key lawyers:

Jānis Kubilis; Anda Staltmane; Elizabete Bartansone


Key clients

Air Baltic Corporation


BAO AS


Colonna Group


East Capital Real Estate


EMTA Group


Estera Development


JTimber UAB


LATIO SIA


Omniva


Marijas 2 SIA


Merks


State Environmental Service of the Republic of Latvia


Rimi


Zenith Capital Management


Work highlights


  • Advising the developer of the LEED Gold office center Novira Plaza on lease contracts.
  • Advised East Capital Real Estate on its €53m acquisition of PLACE ELEVEN in Riga.
  • Representing Merks SIA in all of its major construction disputes.

WALLESS

WALLESS provides clients with full-cycle services ranging from initial land use and contract negotiations, financings, and tax structuring, to the acquisition of large shopping centres and office buildings. Recently, the firm has also seen large mandates in the transportation and energy sectors. With over 20 years of real estate and construction experience, practice head Kristīne Gaigule-Šāvēja handles large-scale transactions, as well as advising on issues concerning landlord-tenant relations, and restructurings. Andis Ozoliņš is noted for his lease work. At the associate level, Sanda Meinarte and Zane Jekimova are recommended.

Practice head(s):

Kristīne Gaigule-Šāvēja


Other key lawyers:

Andis Ozoliņš; Sanda Meinarte; Zane Jekimova


Testimonials

‘Kristīne Gaigule-Šāvēja always find the most efficient solutions for the clients.’

‘A modern and dynamic Baltic law firm.’

Key clients

Consortium “BERERIX” (general partnership with 3 members: N.V. BESIX S.A., a company of BESIX Group, Rizzani de Echer, and RERE BŪVE, SIA)


Siemens group company


Bonava Latvija SIA


CCC SHOES LATVIA SIA


INDEXO AIFP SIA


SIA Place 11


Lumi Capital group


Capitalica Asset Management UAB


A.C.B. AS


Marijas 2 SIA


CSK Steel SIA


Work highlights


  • Advised Lumi Capital group company on the acquisition of Indi business centre.
  • Advised Marijas 2 SIA on the construction of the Novira Plaza office building in Riga city centre.
  • Advised SIA BH Galerija Centrs on setting up a food court with ten restaurants and a bar in the old town of Riga.

Kronbergs Cukste Levin

Kronbergs Cukste Levin handles a range of real estate and construction matters, including public procurement, lease agreements, transactions, and disputes. The team has recently provided advice on large regional transportation developments. Kristine Sakarne heads up the practice. The team counts developers, investors, and state-owned groups, along with foreign firms looking to enter the Latvian market, among its clients.

Practice head(s):

Kristine Sakarne


Other key lawyers:

Valters Kronbergs; Vineta Čukste-Jurjeva


Testimonials

‘Great team, professional, knowledgable.’

‘Vineta Čukste-Jurjeva is a very experienced professional.’

Key clients

Forma 2


Hausers


Jurmalas Businesa Centrs


Estate Guru


InterTrust/White Cryption


Skonto Buve


AVON


JSC Latvian Railways


Mara Adams


LION RE


Franzoni & Co


Microsoft


OÜ Baures


Peek & Cloppenburg


ISMS Limited


European Railway Lines


Kulturas un sporta centrs Daugavas stadions


SIA Ambient Home


Janis Auns


DHL


Tenax


Electrolux


Avesco


OTCF


Linstow


SIA Karlsberg


Netaman Repair Group OÜ


Ezis Technologies SIA


Work highlights


  • Assisting Forma SIA FIDIC with construction agreement drafting.
  • Advising Peek & Cloppenburg on a commercial lease regarding a shopping center.
  • Advising a Canadian building owner on the partition and sale of 50% of a multiple unit real estate complex in downtown Riga.

Šķiņķis Pētersons

Šķiņķis Pētersons stands out for its involvement in high-value real estate and construction disputes covering public, administrative and civil law. The team regularly represents commercial developers and investors in disputes arising from spatial planning and land use, as well as the recovery of losses from damage claims. Mārtiņš Pētersons and Matīss Šķiņķis jointly lead the team. Mārtiņš Daģis is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Matīss Šķiņķis; Mārtiņš Pētersons


Other key lawyers:

Mārtiņš Daģis; Ilze Vadzīte


Key clients

Energiapartners


Gren Latvia


Vides Resursu Centrs


UPB


Rimi Latvia


NGO Zaļā brīvība (Green Liberty)


1Home Group


Energoremonts Riga


Inhabitants of Āgenskalns, Rīga


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented Rimi Latvia in a court dispute against a neighbour regarding the shopping mall Aleja, as well as a case concerning the issuance of a construction permit for another shopping mall in Ikskile.
  • Successfully represented construction company UPB in proceedings related to an incident at a construction site.
  • Representing Bite Latvija and other telecoms companies in various disputes related to the spatial plan of the city of Riga which imposes a restriction on the use of overhead lines in the historical city centre.

Magnusson

Magnusson‘s real estate and construction team handles matters ranging from public tender bids to contract disputes. Practice head Artūrs Ševčuks is experienced in construction law, with a focus on dispute resolution, as well as further expertise covering compliance and contract work. Matīss Rostoks is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Artūrs Ševčuks


Other key lawyers:

Matīss Rostoks; Māris Smilga


Testimonials

‘Bespoke service, suited to each client’s needs, whatever they may be.’

‘Matīss Rostoks, in particular, is an excellent lawyer and confidant. He will always go the extra mile. Highly recommended.’

Key clients

SIA Expro Group


SIA Elements S


SIA Etnas Lofti


SIA Firma L4


NJORD Law Firm

NJORD Law Firm advises a mix of Latvian and international developers, construction companies and private individuals on leases and acquisitions, as well as handling due diligence, compliance and local clearance procedures. In addition, the team has experience handling real estate disputes. The practice is headed by Dmitri Nikolaenko, capably supported by senior associate Anna Kosinska; the two together bring significant experience across the commercial real estate, tax, and disputes spheres to the group.

Practice head(s):

Dmitri Nikolaenko


Other key lawyers:

Anna Kosinska


Key clients

Garant Building UAB


UNIVER SIA


SG Jurmala Estate SIA


SIA Plienciema 16


PL Holding GmbH (Austrian real estate development company)


AVESTS SIA


Keystone Realty, SIA


Ropejumping.lv SIA


City Garden, SIA


AS LANDESTE


PILGAARD SIA


WESICO PROJECT OÜ


Marija Ancupova


Ivan Zhiznevsky


Work highlights


  • Advised Garant Building UAB on the acquisition of SIA UNIVER.
  • Advising SG Jurmala Estate SIA on a residential development project in Jurmala.
  • Advising Plienciema 16 on lease agreements realting to warehouse and office premises.