The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Norway > Real estate

Arntzen de Besche 'exhibits excellent commercial insight' and 'works as the best engine oil to make a deal run smoothly'; clients also praise Eilif S Koch, who has 'problem-solving skills and an ability to spot potential problems that are second to none' and 'always finds a balanced approach'. Other key names include the highly regarded Hans Henrik Kværne and Thomas Øslebø. The practice handles the full spectrum of real estate work and regularly acts for institutional lenders and private equity investors. Recent mandates include acting for Stor-Oslo Eiendom on an urban transformation project in the greater Oslo area, assisting NRP Finans with its purchase of a landmark property, and advising the US government on the sale of its embassy in Norway, a landmark building in Oslo.

Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS' 'solution-oriented and pragmatic' team 'combines a strong technical background with excellent commercial acumen' making it, arguably, 'the most efficient firm in Norway' for real estate work. The group's client roster includes Storebrand Eiendom, which it is advising on a large development and transformation project in Oslo; NRP Finans, which it assisted with its disposal of a portfolio of real estate companies; and new client Canica Eiendom, which it acted for on the purchase of an office building. 'Standout lawyer' and practice head Jarle W Holstrøm 'delivers strategic choices', transactional lead Christian Bjørn-Hansen is 'a strong negotiator with the ability to focus on the legal and commercial aspects of a deal', Erling Timm is 'extremely intelligent and calm', and newly promoted partner Herman Roksund 'exceeds expectations'.

With an 'excellent' team, which is 'very strong in real estate transactions and M&A', Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS recently advised Lysaker Park on its purchase of Storebrand Lysaker Park and its properties, assisted Arctic Prosjekt 82 with its acquisition of Fyrstikkalléen 1, and acted for Økern Sentrum on the development of Økern Senter and the surrounding area. Selvaag Bolig, DNB SPV 1 Holding and Arctic Securities are also clients. The 'brilliant' Camilla Kristiansen Lunne and Ditlef Thaulow jointly lead the real estate, construction and tax department, while Martin Støren heads the real estate group. Other key names include the highly regarded Geir Sand and Einar Caspersen.

Fielding 'a very dedicated team, which is instrumental to clients' success', Advokatfirmaet Selmer AS 'stands out for its depth of knowledge and competence' and clients 'emphasise its availability and proactivity in responding to issues as they arise'. Department head Mikkel Vislie focuses on developments, transactions and financing work; Andreas Rørvik is 'an excellent negotiator and one of the best all-round real estate lawyers in the country', Sverre Nordlie 'has an excellent understanding of the market' and Thomas Reppe Wetting 'has a clear mission in solving issues in a commercially viable manner'. The group recently advised Heimstaden Bostad on two property deals; Norsk Hydro, EQT Infrastructure Fund and Selvaag Bolig are also clients. Line Ravlo-Losvik is now with DLA Piper.

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS has 'strong legal and commercial skills' and 'ensures all workstreams are subject to a high degree of project management and all lawyers involved know the deal inside out'. Clients also single out Even Bratsberg as 'fantastic', with 'one of the best track records in the legal market' thanks to 'a well-developed commercial awareness that bring out the best in his clients and his team'. Christian Müller leads the team and Christopher Borch and Vidar Havsgård are also key names to note. Müller recently advised Oslo Areal on its purchase of Grenseveien 78, and Borch assisted Storebrand Livsforsikring with the NOK2.2bn sale of its headquarters in Bærum.

Wiersholm 'outperforms most other teams by a clear margin' and 'meets the needs of its clients and delivers in a constructive, timely and to-the-point manner' thanks to 'a very dedicated team, which provides the best legal advice in a professional way'. Tom Rune Lian and Ståle Meleng jointly lead the practice; Lian recently advised Deka Immobilien on its acquisition of the SPV that holds the Cort Adelers Gate 33, a combined new-build and renovated property in Oslo, and Meleng assisted Værste with a combined shopping centre and housing development project in Fredrikstad.

Wikborg Rein 'always puts the client's interests first' and excels in transactions, lease agreement negotiations and development projects; it recently assisted Ruseløkkveien 26 with the negotiations of a lease agreement with a law firm, advised Fram Eiendom on the negotiation of a lease contract for the refurbished premises in Henrik Ibsens Gate, which will be Boston Consulting Group's Oslo headquarters, and acted for a syndicate established by Clarksons Platou Real Estate on its acquisition of the Trondheim Innovation Center from Starwood. Ingrid Høstmælingen heads the Oslo group, while Gøran Mjelde Aarvik leads the Bergen team; Lars Ulleberg Jensen is also a key name to note for transactional and development work.

Anne Sofie Bjørkholt leads the group at BAHR, which is noted for its transactional and development strength. Bjørkholt's recent work includes working with Erik Langseth advising Asset Buyout Partners on its acquisition of a supply base at Mongstad industrial site from EQT, and assisting Norconsult with the sale and leaseback of its headquarters in Sandvika; Langseth also acted for Salto Eiendom on its merger with Scala Retail Property. Lars Kristian Sande regularly handles real estate portfolio issues and Øystein Myre Bremset made partner in 2018. Former group head Stig Bech is now at Solon Eiendom.

Advokatfirmaet CLP DA 'delivers a high degree of partner attention and a personal touch' across transactions and development projects. In a recent highlight, practice co-heads Elin Mack Løvdal and Håvard Skogvoll advised Scala Retail Property on its merger with Salto Eiendom; Skogvoll also assisted JB Ugland Eiendomsutvikling and other syndicate members with the sale of a new office complex under construction in Oslo and Løvdal acted for Selvaag Eiendom on its acquisition of an office building in Lysaker. Catella Real Estate, Scandinavian Property Group and Kongsberg Gruppen are also clients. Senior lawyer Mathias Borch is also recommended.

DLA Piper 'manages to create solutions to very complex and interconnected transactions' and 'uses its knowledge of its clients and their businesses to make it easier to get straight to the point'. The group focuses on transactional work at a national and international level for a client base that includes Pareto Securities, Round Hill Capital and Ikea. Magnus Lutnæs leads the practice, which also includes the 'patient and persistent' Bjørn Slaatta, Anders Bergene, Thomas Rindahl Håkonsen and planning specialist Tone Gjertsen, who is 'in short, a dream lawyer'. Slaatta recently advised Skanska Norge on its sale of Lakkegata 3-9, a combined apartment, hotel and office building in Oslo. Line Ravlo-Losvik was a new arrival from Advokatfirmaet Selmer AS.

Deloitte Advokatfirma AS' practice covers four distinct areas of expertise: commercial real estate transactions, commercial rents and lease issues, property developments and ground lease work. Team leader Thorvald Nyquist focuses on transactional and development work; he recently represented Sandfjellet Hytteforening in a ground lease contract dispute. Property development expert Christine Haugstvedt Downing and director Ina Wikborg Todal are also names to note.

With notable experience in development projects, Advokatfirmaet Føyen Torkildsen AS' department is led by Paal-Christian Hansen and also includes Ottar Egset, who regularly acts for developers, and Lars David Råmunddal, who is experienced in forward sales. Clients include Fabritius Gruppen, Bjerke Travbane Eiendom and BoligPartner. Børge Nygårdshaug joined BSN Advokatfirma ANS and Marius Eckbo-Lie left the firm.

Advokatfirmaet Grette AS 'delivers high standards in terms of professional competence and prompt delivery' across real estate transactions, commercial property and residential developments, and infrastructure-related work. Recent work includes practice head Dag Henden Torsteinsen assisting NRK with the downsizing of elements of its property portfolio and entering into new lease agreements. Rolf Markussen and Svein J. Ruud Johansen are also noteworthy.

Advokatfirmaet Hjort stands out for its contentious expertise with recent work including acting for Selvaag Bolig in a dispute connected to a development project in Tromsø relating to the lack of parking spaces provided, and representing Malthus Uniteam in lease agreement claims; Kristian Korsrud led the matters. Planning and zoning expert Liv Zimmerman heads the group, Liv Aandal is noted for her transactional work and Sveinung Flaaten handles ground lease work.

Kluge Advokatfirma AS is 'easy to work with' and is praised by clients for its 'exceptional market knowledge and professional integrity' across its Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger offices led by Naja Dannow, Inger Hygen and Petter Schmidt respectively. The group handles the full range of issues surrounding property developments with recent work including advising Hafrsby on a residential development project in Stavanger, and assisting Drammen Helsepark with the development of commercial, education and health services connected to the new Drammen hospital.

SANDS acts for real estate investors, companies and funds on transactions and developments. Recent highlights include advising Pioneer Capital Partners on its sale of shares in Sagveien Tower and assisting Anders Opsahl Holding with its purchase of three plots of land in Oslo. Jens Aas leads the department and specialises in commercial real estate work and property-related tax issues. Ove-Marthin Granlund and Christian Hartmann are also recommended.

Jørgen Lindboe, who is 'super dedicated and a great man to have on your side in negotiations', heads the group at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, which handles real estate transactions and development projects and is 'very professional and knowledgeable about the real estate market and its legal framework'. Clients also single out Pål Brudvik, who is 'professional, proactive and liked by everyone'; he advised Castelar Corporate Finance on the purchase and syndication of various properties.

With ' a strong knowledge of the property industry', Advokatfirmaet Ræder AS's practice is led by Anders Utne, who 'has a fantastic ability to understand his clients' and is 'solution oriented, dynamic and responsive'. Transactional specialist Andreas Frislid also attracts praise as 'knowledgeable, commercial and good at adapting to clients' needs'. Key areas of expertise include transactions, commercial leases and development issues; SKB Eiendom, RiskPoint and McDonald's Norge are clients.

Brækhus Advokatfirma DA 'easily sees solutions to problems' in property development and management issues and regularly acts for landowners affected by expropriations and compulsory acquisitions. Department co-head Eirik Espenes recently advised Bee on multiple residential developments in Ski, and assisted Gol Skipark with the development of an extension to its existing ski resort. Other noteworthy practitioners include co-head Erling Keyser and newly promoted partner Christian Engelstad.

KPMG Norway counts domestic and international investors, individuals and funds as clients (examples include Bryn Eiendom, Coop and Bate) and is noted for its expertise in VAT and tax-related real estate work. Noteworthy individuals include Ola Mæle, Per Daniel Nyberg, VAT expert Jan Ove Fredlund and managing partner Per Ivar Skinstad, who leads the practice.

Ro Sommernes Advokatfirma DA fields 'a highly experienced team, which is service minded, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with'. The team's expertise encompasses lease issues, development projects, litigation and transactions for investment firms and construction company clients. Henrik Hareide Nilsen and 'perfect dealmaker' Nils Petter Hansson jointly lead the group.