Poland > Real estate > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

At CMS, the 'business-savvy' team is commended for its ability to 'take the initiative' when leading on deals. It is instructed by property funds, developers, banks and retailers at every stage of the real estate investment process. Highlights for practice head Wojciech Koczara included advising Reico on the €116m acquisition of the Proximo I office building in Warsaw from Hines Russia & Poland Fund. Katarzyna Dębińska-Pietrzyk, who was promoted to partner in May 2018, assisted Plaza Centers with the €70m sale of Toruń Plaza to a private investment fund. Lidia Dziurzyńska-Leipert is another key name, alongside warehouse and industrial real estate specialist Anna Brzoza-Ostrowska.

Dentons' department is jointly led by 'great legal mind' Paweł Dębowski, who 'always delivers', and finance expert Piotr Szafarz. Together with 'commercially-aware' Bartłomiej Kordeczka, Dębowski advised Echo Polska Properties on the €692m acquisition of the M1 portfolio of 12 retail properties from Chariot Top Group. The highly regarded team includes counsels Anna Garbula-Węgrzynowska ('excellent in complex transactions') and 'highly knowledgeable' Łukasz Zwiercan. Tomasz Stasiak left the team for Wolf Theiss in November 2017.

Greenberg Traurig Grzesiak sp. k. has 'a very dedicated team' with 'exceptional real estate sector knowledge'. In September 2017, the department witnessed a team exchange with Hogan Lovells (Warszawa) LLP; losing Marek Grodek but gaining, among others, the exceptionally experienced Jolanta Nowakowska-Zimoch, who is now group leader, and real estate transaction expert Agata Jurek-Zbrojska. In one highlight, Agnieszka Stankiewicz advised Invesco Real Estate on the sale of a logistics centre to Vestas Investment Management.

The 'business-oriented' team at Linklaters is noted for handling large-scale transactions 'quickly and efficiently'. Clients include a mixture of domestic and international real estate investors, developers and occupiers. In a particularly noteworthy transaction, counsel Michał Mieciński and senior associate Monika Lerka advised Globalworth Poland on the conclusion of a preliminary purchase agreement with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield for the €190m acquisition of the Skylight and Lumen offices in Warsaw. Artur Kulawski leads the team, which includes logistics, retail and office sector expert Janusz Dzianachowski, Weronika Guerquin-Koryzma and managing associate Marta Bijak-Haiduk, who delivers 'super quality work'. Adriana Andrzejewska is another key name.

Complex sale and acquisition transactions are a staple for Baker & McKenzie Krzyżowski i Wspólnicy Spółka Komandytowa's team, which advises developers, investors and investment funds, as well as tenants and buyers. Highlights for practice head Małgorzata Pietrzak-Paciorek included advising Metexi Group on various contentious and non-contentious matters, including the sale of a residential building in Warsaw to Bouwfonds Investment Management. Joanna Wojnarowska advises Regus Business Centre on all issues relating to the entirety of its Polish real estate portfolio. Przemysław Kucharski left the firm to found Kucharski & Partners in December 2017.

Clifford Chance is praised for its ability to 'react to fast-changing situations' and provide 'clear and accessible advice'. Practice head Daniel Kopania (who is 'a real leader') advised Blackstone on the Polish aspects of the acquisition of a major portfolio of logistics centres in Poland, Germany and France from Goodman. Also recommended are counsel Aleksandra Jach, who is 'commercially-driven and analytical', and real estate finance specialist Maciej Bocheński.

Co-managing partner Jacek Giziński leads the team at DLA Piper Giziński Kycia sp.k., which is commended by one client for its ability to provide global cross-border support. Recent highlights for the team include advising El Corte Inglés on its acquisition of a number of shopping centres across Poland from various sellers. Counsel Michał Pietuszko is recommended for his 'understanding of the big picture'.

Real estate is a core practice at Gide Loyrette Nouel, which advises on transactions across the commercial, office, hospitality, residential, elderly care and logistics sectors. Błażej Czwarnok (who 'understands clients' needs perfectly') advised Yareal on the acquisition of the Soho Factory area in Warsaw from Soho Developments. Practice head Marcin Muszel advised Griffin Real Estate on the sale of property in central Warsaw to Dom Development. Tomasz Roszczyc is another contact of note.

Igor Bakowski and Zuzanna Łaganowska lead on real estate work at Bakowski Law Firm, providing a full service to clients including investment funds and shopping centre operators. Highlights for Bakowski included advising the Polish Investment and Development Agency on due diligence regarding the acquisition of real estate in Lubień Kujawski.

Chajec, Don-Siemion & Zyto Legal Advisors' team advises on all types of real estate transaction, in addition to handling financing and the formation of real estate investment funds. Practice co-head Patryk Galicki is advising Tasc Infrastructure on the acquisition of a number of Polish properties equipped with telecoms masts and infrastructure. Piotr Zapalski also leads on real estate matters.

Crido Legal's group is led by 'strong practitioner' Krzysztof Marzyński, who joined from Dentons in September 2017. Its main areas of expertise include alternative assets, such as farmland, timberland and private rental property. Practice group supervisor Jakub Ziółek advised Prime Holdings and Management on the €110m acquisition of Suwałki Plaza and Toruń Plaza from Plaza Centers.

The group at K&L Gates LLP stands out for its 'client-focused' approach to handling issues such as land-use, planning, zoning, sales and acquisitions. Halina Więckowska and Piotr Łaska are the practice heads.

Magnusson - Kancelaria Prawnicza handles the spectrum of projects involving commercial real estate. Highlights for team leader Andrzej Tokaj included advising A-R-A Retail Centres on the €1bn sale of 28 malls across Poland to Chariot Top Group. Katarzyna Sawa-Rybaczek is also recommended, alongside head of leasing Małgorzata Błahuciak. Michał Siwek left the firm for Dentons in June 2018.

The group at SSW Pragmatic Solutions advises clients on the spectrum of real estate transactions, lease agreements and day-to-day issues relating to property ownership. Highlights for practice head Maciej Duch included advising Aerium on the sale of three malls to Newbridge.

Wardynski & Partners' team is 'outstanding in delivering professional and skilled legal advice' in relation to real estate matters. Managing partner Stefan Jacyno leads the overarching real estate team, while Michał Gliński, Krzysztof Wiktor and 'commercially-minded' Michał Wons jointly lead on real estate projects.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's team specialises in advising on complex M&A transactions involving real estate assets, including large portfolios, and platforms of office buildings, shopping centres and residential developments. The team welcomed 'great negotiator' Agnieszka Koniewicz, who joined at senior associate level and now jointly leads the real estate group, from Linklaters in September 2017. Koniewicz advised Echo Investments on the €43m sale of the O3 office building in Kraków to Echo Polska Properties. Co-leader Filip Uzieblo is another key name with vast experience in the area.

White & Case M. Studniarek i Wspólnicy - Kancelaria Prawna sp.k.'s team is jointly headed by Michał Matera and Maciej Zalewski. Historic highlights for Matera included advising Gravest Real Estate Cooperatief on a long-term hotel tenancy agreement with Vienna International Hotelmanagement.

Krzysztof Wierzbowski leads the team at Wierzbowski Eversheds Sutherland, which handles lease transactions, transfers of property, real estate development and financing, as well as complex infrastructure projects involving real estate development. Wierzbowski advised Turkish Airlines on three lease agreements in Warsaw Airport and Warsaw City Centre. The group is instructed by BGK Nieruchomości on a number of projects. Senior associate Anna Ochocka is another key name. Grzegorz Witczymiszyn joined from an in-house position in 2018.

The heart of Wiewiórski Legal's practice consists of large industrial and logistics investments, office space deals and real estate financing. Team head Marcin Wojtasik is noted.

The 'supremely professional' team at Wolf Theiss benefited from the arrival of new practice head Tomasz Stasiak from Dentons in November 2017. Stasiak assisted Rockspring with the €65m disposal of Aura Olsztyn to Rockcastle. Grzegorz Skowroński and senior associate Iwona Huryn are also names to note.

New to the rankings, following a team split with Kochanski & Partners, Zieba & Partners' group is led by Rafał Zięba, who stands out for his 'diligence and responsiveness'. In one matter, he advised Echo Polska Properties on the €100m sale of a number of office buildings to Griffin Real Estate.