Most Highly Regarded Firms: Real Estate 2009
The International Who's Who of Real Estate Lawyers 2009 identifies 467 lawyers in 37 countries.
DLA Piper has more listings than any other firm in this guide with 21 practitioners listed in six jurisdictions. "A+ lawyer" Jay Epstien is the chairman of the real estate group and has been the lead counsel on some of the largest downtown office leases in Washington, DC. Frederick Klein, who is the "go-to for real estate finance", joins Epstien on our Washington list. Seven practitioners were selected from Illinois; including the "very highly regarded" senior counsel Portia Owen Morrison, who was praised for her experience in all areas of real estate development and financing. Howard Kane concentrates his practice in retail, commercial, mixed-use, office and industrial real estate and was described as "the dean". Charles Edwards focuses on complex commercial real estate transactions. Theodore Novak is chair of DLA Piper's zoning; land use and condemnation practice and is "a top-class adviser". Harold Pomerantz is a former chair of the real estate group and specialises in commercial real estate transactions. The "very well regarded" David Glickstein counsels on a wide range of issues. Robert Goldman represents developers and lenders in all phases of residential, office, retail, hotels and industrial development and redevelopment projects. California is home to the "excellent" Alan Wayte, the "top-notch" Michael Meyer and Stephen Cowan who was described as "one of the best in the US". Elliot Surkin in the firm's Boston office is "one of the best in the state". Martin Polevoy heads the real estate practice group in New York and recently worked on a multi-billion dollar mortgage restructuring deal. "First-class practitioner" Phillip Weller who manages the firm's Dallas office also makes it onto our list.
We list four DLA Piper lawyers in Europe. The "highly respected" Oskar Winkler heads the group in Austria and central and Eastern Europe. Francois de Montpellier is based in Brussels and was recommended a great deal during the research. David Taylor has recently worked on the development of a large shopping centre worth over £100 million. He is based in the London office. Olaf Schmidt is location head of real estate in Italy and was a very popular choice with our sources.
Baker & McKenzie also has an impressive global contingent with seven lawyers selected in Argentina, Belgium, Poland and Russia. Dominique Lechien heads the practice group in Belgium and is said to be "improving on his excellent reputation every year". Rudy Dupont is a partner is Brussels and "a considerate and efficient" practitioner. Gustavo Boruchowicz and Alejandra Verónica Bugna are based in Buenos Aires. Boruchowicz specialises in contract negotiation and Bugna focuses her practice in real estate sales and acquisitions. Maxim Kalinin is the managing partner of the firm's St. Petersburg office and is a "very well regarded professional". Konstantine Kouzine in Moscow has recently worked on the purchase agreements for a number of warehouses and offices locally and in St Petersburg. Malgorzata Pietrzak-Paciorek is a partner in the firm's Warsaw office and was praised for her "adaptablity" and knowledge of local and international real estate.
USA
Seven partners from Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP appear in this edition and Morton Fisher and Richard Goldberg appear in our list of the practice area's elite. Goldberg is a "top-tier" practitioner based in the firm's Philadelphia office. Fisher was described as "one of the deans of real estate" and received consistent praise for his considerable experience. The "conscientious" Raymond Truitt is the managing partner of the firm's Baltimore office and specialises in financing, leasing, development and restructuring. Roger Winston is the managing partner of the Bethesda office and co-leads the planned communities and condominiums group. Michael Sklaroff was praised for his zoning work and Philip Korb is a "condominium expert". The "excellent" Beverly Quail is the practice group co-leader of the real estate finance group and is based in the firm's Denver office.
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is also home to two of the most highly nominated individuals in the research: Nina Matis and Donald Siskind. Matis is co-chair of the real estate practice and is "very highly regarded for her financial expertise". The "first-rate" Siskind specialises in large, complex transactions; his "inspirational writing" was also noted.
Three highly nominated lawyers feature from the New York office of Sullivan and Cromwell LLP. Joseph Shenker was described as a "securities and REITs expert" having recently represented the Mara and Tisch families, owners of the New York Giants, in their $1.6 billion JV development with the New York Jets of a new stadium in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Arthur Adler is "very bright" and is joined by the "excellent" Anthony Colletta.
"Leasings expert" Wallace Schwartz heads the global real estate practice at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP. The "fantastic negotiator" Martha Feltenstein and the "highly regarded" Benjamin Needell also feature prominently in the research. Feltenstein recently represented Alexandria Real Estate in its ground lease and development of the East River Science Project in New York City and Needell has represented clients such as Apollo Real Estate Investment Fund, Bank of America and Boston Properties.
Joseph Philip Forte from Alston & Bird LLP is another of our most highly regarded individuals. One source said, "He was born to be a real estate lawyer, he has such natural ability."
Two firms stand out in California: Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; both firms have four listings in the state. Robert Thompson is a partner in Sheppard Mullin's San Francisco office where he handles a broad range of real estate investment, development and financing matters. He was praised as "the name for land use matters". "Leasing expert" Joan Story's clients include DHL Express and Lend Lease Corporation. Pamela Westhoff is a partner in Los Angeles and continues to be "very succesful" in her work representing developers.
William Murray is the chair of Orrick's global real estate group and is based in San Francisco, he is a "top notch adviser" and focuses his practice on negotiating and documenting acquisitions and financing transactions. Noel Nellis also performed well in the research. Michael Liever has represented clients including RREEF America LLC, Cabot Industrial Trust and New York Life Insurance Company. Dennis Martin has extensive cross-border experience, earning him an "excellent international reputation".
Ira Waldman from Cox Castle & Nicholson LLP is based in Los Angeles and appears in our list of most highly regarded individuals. One source said that Waldman is "the most knowledgeable and experienced in the region" and he was commended for his real estate finance advice.
Haynes and Boone LLP has four lawyers listed in Texas. The firm also has a presence in our Mexico list thanks to Luis Moreno Trevino, who is "highly regarded internationally". Steven Waters is the chair of the real estate group and has recently represented a REIT in a $6 billion real estate portfolio disposition and a life insurance company in the sale of its headquarters and surrounding 40 acres to a retail developer. Timothy Powers is based in Dallas and specialises in international investment in real estate. Ann Saegert is the former chair of the real estate practice and is a "top choice in Texas". Robert Wilson has recently represented a pension fund in the acquisition of 15 warehouses and an investor in publicly traded bonds secured by real estate.
Mark Senn is the president and founding shareholder of Senn Visciano Kirschenbaum PC and features in our breakdown of the practice area elite. He is reported to be "a first-rate lawyer" and a "top speaker".
McCarthy Tétrault LLP has the largest contingent in Canada, with six practitioners listed in four provinces. The "well respected" Abraham Costin is the head of the firm's real property and planning group and is based in the firm's Toronto office. Costin has represented OMERS Realty Management Corporation and Oxford Properties Group, among others. Gordon Sato has worked on developments, hotels and shopping centres and sources have only "the highest praise for him". Fred Rubinoff recently represented GE in the purchase of Dundee REIT. Keith Burrell is a "fabulous attorney" in Vancouver. He specialises in advising real estate developers and investors. Montreal partner Pierre-Denis Leroux is "well known for his financial know-how" and brings this skill to his real estate practice. Keith Mullback in McCarthy Tétrault's Calgary office is experienced in all areas of real estate law, but received plaudits for his commercial mortgage advice.
Jim Hilton is the chair of Blake Cassels and Graydon LLP's real estate group and received the most votes in Canada. Hilton has worked on a number of high-profile projects across the world. Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is also well represented, its three nominees reflecting a status as one of the top Canadian firms in this field.
EUROPEAN EXCELLENCE
Twelve lawyers from Linklaters LLP have been selected in this publication; they are based in 10 European countries. Three of these practise in the firm's London headquarters: Patrick Plant, Simon Clark and James Knox. Plant is the head of Linklaters' global real estate practice and is a "shining example of the firm's success". The "marvellous" Clark is one of the most highly regarded individuals in our research, receiving praise from across Europe and the US. Knox was described as "first class" and works in all areas of commercial real estate transactions. Françoise Maigrot heads the firm's real estate group in Paris and is said to be in the "top tier". Rafael Molina from Madrid has a diverse practice. Head of the firm's real estate practice in Lisbon, Jorge Salvador Gonçalves has acted as lead counsel to investors and lenders. Yves Moreau is based in the firm's Brussels office and is known for his "cross-border expertise" particularly representing European investors. Jens Bock in Linklaters' Berlin office was praised for his "first-rate transactions"; Luxembourg based partner René Diederich was also recommended for his transactional work. Magnus Lidman was described as "a top name in Sweden" and Xavier Hunter was a popular choice in Moscow. Artur Kulawski, based in Warsaw has "unrivalled knowledge of the local market".
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP also has an impressive presence in our Europe list, with six partners listed in four countries. Chris Morris heads the firm's real estate group and has represented large international clients including Deutsche Bank on the leasing of part of the premises at 175 Bishopsgate and HSBC on the £1.1 billion sale and leaseback of its Canary Wharf headquarters to Spanish real estate company Metrovacesa. Geoff Le Pard appears in the breakdown of the practice area's elite and was described as "hard-working" and "very personable". He has advised Bedfont Lakes on the sale of the Cisco headquarters to a UK investor for an estimated £150 million and Citigroup Properties on the development of its European HQ. Germany is also home to two of the firm's top lawyers: Friedrich Heilmann and Johannes Conradi. Heilmann leads Freshfields' real estate practice in Germany and Austria and was described as "well known internationally". Conradi was named as "one of the best in the country for real estate law" and advises clients on all aspects of real estate transactions, project developments and real estate finance. Benoît Marcilhacy is head of the Paris real estate group and represented RREEF on the acquisition of France Printemps from PPR, worth over Ä1 billion. Marzio Longo from the firm's Milan office was praised for his "cross-border expertise".
Robert Kidby heads Lovells LLP's real estate practice and is "experienced in international financing deals". Michael Stancombe is also a partner in the firm's London office and specialises in development, financing and investment. Frankfurt partner Marc Werner completes the European team. Iain Rothnie from Herbert Smith represented the government investment corporation of Singapore on the sale and leaseback of the Merrill Lynch Financial Centre for £470 million. James Barnes was named as a "top choice for property advice" and focuses his practice on UK regeneration projects. Pierre Popesco is the head of the Paris office and specialises in real estate investment and development. The "excellent" Adam Cleal leads Allen & Overy LLP's London real estate practice and is joined in our list by London partner Daniel McKimm, who was described as "very good, particularly for finance". Daniel Gillet, who heads the firm's Brussels real estate group, is also featured. Slaughter and May's executive partner, Graham White is "a pleasure to work with on real estate deals". Dermot Rice was also a popular choice and was praised for his work on the multibillion-pound lend lease for London's Olympic village. John Vivian is head of SJ Berwin LLP's real estate division and is currently representing The Crown Estate and Brixton PLC. Sources state that David Ryland is "very highly regarded" and an "obvious choice" for inclusion. Robert MacGregor is head of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP's real estate practice and is a "first-class adviser". Chris de Pury has led teams on £4 billion worth of structured sales and purchases of major UK property portfolios in the past two years and has a "very good reputation". Nick Ryden of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP is a "stand-out" practitioner in Scotland. He has earned an "international reputation for quality".
We feature three partners from Uría Menéndez. Ignacio Albiñana and Fernando Azofra are both based in the firm's Madrid office and received praise across the board. Duarte Garin heads the firm's Lisbon office and has worked on some of the most significant real estate transactions in Portugal. Gide Loyrette Nouel has two listed partners in France. Frédéric Nouel is "one of the best known and respected lawyers in Paris" and has advised clients including the French state, La Poste and Casino on significant transactions in Europe. Colleague Eric Martin-Impératori "can be relied on to produce quality results in everything from real estate litigation to land purchasing". Umberto Borzi has been a partner in Chiomenti Studio Legale AARPI and is "skilled in all areas of real estate law". Francesco Tedeschini "excels" in both domestic and international practice.
Mallesons Stephen Jaques has the largest representation in Australia with three lawyers listed. Michael Allen and Sue Kench are based in Sydney. where Allen specialises in major property projects and developments and Kench specialises in property development. Andrew Erikson from Melbourne has worked on major projects in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and on major international portfolio acquisitions.
At Allen & Gledhill LLP in Singapore we identify two partners: Penny Goh and Margaret Soh. Goh is the head of the firm's corporate real estate practice and is known for her "first-rate advice" on multi-million dollar deals in Asia. Soh has acted for a number of high-profile clients including South Beach Consortium in its acquisition of the Beach Road site for development of a major commercial complex comprising hotels, office, and retail mall and city residences.
Morrison & Foerster LLP/Ito & Mitomi stands out in Japan and provides two leading practitioners for our list. Eric Piesner is the head of the firm's Asia real estate practice and focuses on the representation of funds, banks, REITs and other institutional clients. Theodore Seltzer represents US and Japanese institutional investors.
Seven lawyers were chosen to appear from Mexico including two partners from "excellent law firm" Creel Garcia-Cuellar Aiza Y Enriquez SC: the "very good" Carlos Creel Carrera and "true professional" Carlos Aiza.
REST OF THE WORLD
Twelve lawyers from Linklaters LLP have been selected in this publication; they are based in 10 European countries. Three of these practise in the firm's London headquarters: Patrick Plant, Simon Clark and James Knox. Plant is the head of Linklaters' global real estate practice and is a "shining example of the firm's success". The "marvellous" Clark is one of the most highly regarded individuals in our research, receiving praise from across Europe and the US. Knox was described as "first class" and works in all areas of commercial real estate transactions. Françoise Maigrot heads the firm's real estate group in Paris and is said to be in the "top tier". Rafael Molina from Madrid has a diverse practice. Head of the firm's real estate practice in Lisbon, Jorge Salvador Gonçalves has acted as lead counsel to investors and lenders. Yves Moreau is based in the firm's Brussels office and is known for his "cross-border expertise" particularly representing European investors. Jens Bock in Linklaters' Berlin office was praised for his "first-rate transactions"; Luxembourg based partner René Diederich was also recommended for his transactional work. Magnus Lidman was described as "a top name in Sweden" and Xavier Hunter was a popular choice in Moscow. Artur Kulawski, based in Warsaw has "unrivalled knowledge of the local market".
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP also has an impressive presence in our Europe list, with six partners listed in four countries. Chris Morris heads the firm's real estate group and has represented large international clients including Deutsche Bank on the leasing of part of the premises at 175 Bishopsgate and HSBC on the £1.1 billion sale and leaseback of its Canary Wharf headquarters to Spanish real estate company Metrovacesa. Geoff Le Pard appears in the breakdown of the practice area's elite and was described as "hard-working" and "very personable". He has advised Bedfont Lakes on the sale of the Cisco headquarters to a UK investor for an estimated £150 million and Citigroup Properties on the development of its European HQ. Germany is also home to two of the firm's top lawyers: Friedrich Heilmann and Johannes Conradi. Heilmann leads Freshfields' real estate practice in Germany and Austria and was described as "well known internationally". Conradi was named as "one of the best in the country for real estate law" and advises clients on all aspects of real estate transactions, project developments and real estate finance. Benoît Marcilhacy is head of the Paris real estate group and represented RREEF on the acquisition of France Printemps from PPR, worth over Ä1 billion. Marzio Longo from the firm's Milan office was praised for his "cross-border expertise".
Robert Kidby heads Lovells LLP's real estate practice and is "experienced in international financing deals". Michael Stancombe is also a partner in the firm's London office and specialises in development, financing and investment. Frankfurt partner Marc Werner completes the European team. Iain Rothnie from Herbert Smith represented the government investment corporation of Singapore on the sale and leaseback of the Merrill Lynch Financial Centre for £470 million. James Barnes was named as a "top choice for property advice" and focuses his practice on UK regeneration projects. Pierre Popesco is the head of the Paris office and specialises in real estate investment and development. The "excellent" Adam Cleal leads Allen & Overy LLP's London real estate practice and is joined in our list by London partner Daniel McKimm, who was described as "very good, particularly for finance". Daniel Gillet, who heads the firm's Brussels real estate group, is also featured. Slaughter and May's executive partner, Graham White is "a pleasure to work with on real estate deals". Dermot Rice was also a popular choice and was praised for his work on the multibillion-pound lend lease for London's Olympic village. John Vivian is head of SJ Berwin LLP's real estate division and is currently representing The Crown Estate and Brixton PLC. Sources state that David Ryland is "very highly regarded" and an "obvious choice" for inclusion. Robert MacGregor is head of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP's real estate practice and is a "first-class adviser". Chris de Pury has led teams on £4 billion worth of structured sales and purchases of major UK property portfolios in the past two years and has a "very good reputation". Nick Ryden of Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP is a "stand-out" practitioner in Scotland. He has earned an "international reputation for quality".
We feature three partners from Uría Menéndez. Ignacio Albiñana and Fernando Azofra are both based in the firm's Madrid office and received praise across the board. Duarte Garin heads the firm's Lisbon office and has worked on some of the most significant real estate transactions in Portugal. Gide Loyrette Nouel has two listed partners in France. Frédéric Nouel is "one of the best known and respected lawyers in Paris" and has advised clients including the French state, La Poste and Casino on significant transactions in Europe. Colleague Eric Martin-Impératori "can be relied on to produce quality results in everything from real estate litigation to land purchasing". Umberto Borzi has been a partner in Chiomenti Studio Legale AARPI and is "skilled in all areas of real estate law". Francesco Tedeschini "excels" in both domestic and international practice.
Mallesons Stephen Jaques has the largest representation in Australia with three lawyers listed. Michael Allen and Sue Kench are based in Sydney. where Allen specialises in major property projects and developments and Kench specialises in property development. Andrew Erikson from Melbourne has worked on major projects in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and on major international portfolio acquisitions.
At Allen & Gledhill LLP in Singapore we identify two partners: Penny Goh and Margaret Soh. Goh is the head of the firm's corporate real estate practice and is known for her "first-rate advice" on multi-million dollar deals in Asia. Soh has acted for a number of high-profile clients including South Beach Consortium in its acquisition of the Beach Road site for development of a major commercial complex comprising hotels, office, and retail mall and city residences.
Morrison & Foerster LLP/Ito & Mitomi stands out in Japan and provides two leading practitioners for our list. Eric Piesner is the head of the firm's Asia real estate practice and focuses on the representation of funds, banks, REITs and other institutional clients. Theodore Seltzer represents US and Japanese institutional investors.
Seven lawyers were chosen to appear from Mexico including two partners from "excellent law firm" Creel Garcia-Cuellar Aiza Y Enriquez SC: the "very good" Carlos Creel Carrera and "true professional" Carlos Aiza.