Germany: Real Estate
The global economic crisis dented the level of activity in the real estate sector globally. Although work in this sector has not yet returned to pre-crisis levels, German real estate lawyers are finding themselves busy once more. In total, 30 exceptional individuals are featured for their expert counsel in this discipline.
At Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, a trio of acclaimed individuals are listed. Cologne-based Heinz Joachim Kummer advises on complex real estate transactions on behalf of project development companies and investment banks as well as government and public law corporations. In Hamburg, Johannes Conradi is referred to as “one of the most important names in the industry” and acts for a host of domestic and international clients. Completing the listing is Frankfurt-based Friedrich Heilmann, leader of the real estate practice group in Germany and Austria, and an “outstanding” practitioner according to sources.
In the Hamburg office of GSK Stockmann & Kollegen, Michael Jani receives praise for his work regarding commercial leases and is also an “expert” in portfolio structuring. Berlin-based Rainer Stockmann is “fantastic” and in Frankfurt, former head of the legal department of Dresdner Bank real estate group, Rainer Werum is highly regarded for his work with open-ended real estate funds.
Three “first-class” lawyers also feature from Linklaters LLP’s Frankfurt office, including Michael Steinbrecher who is lauded for his project development work. Roland Fabian is singled out for his expertise in advising on cross-border transactions and also has extensive experience with post-acquisition restructurings of groups holding real estate. Joining them is the “excellent” Hanns-William Mülsch, who is credited for the breadth of his practice, which includes advising on real estate related private equity transactions and open-end real estate investment funds.
Clifford Chance LLP fields two names. Klaus Minuth is hailed as “one of Germany’s top lawyers” for his work advising local and international investors, banks, project developers and public authorities and is respected for “coming up with solutions agreeable to both parties”. He is accompanied by Jörn Stobbe whose expertise includes advising investors and sellers on large scale real estate transactions.
At Latham & Watkins LLP, the “brilliant” Jürgen Hübner is hailed as an “industry expert” and focuses his practice on investments in office and residential buildings, logistics facilities, hotels and shopping centres. Also in the Hamburg office, Cord Lübke-Detring is a specialist in real estate transactions involving construction and leasing.
The “highly experienced” Wolfgang Usinger at SammlerUsinger is described by peers as a “leading light”. Hugely respected in the market, he is credited for his knowledge in the hotel sector. Jens Bock is another “top name” at the firm who is admired for his “excellent client base”.
Two names are listed from Hogan Lovells LLP. The “impressive” Hinrich Thieme is head of the German real estate practice group. He advised two funds managed by UBS AG on the acquisition and financing of the “Saphir” real estate fund from Babcock & Brown as well as acting for Redevco Services Deutschland GmbH on the sale of the “Rhein” real estate portfolio. Marc Werner is managing partner of the firm’s Frankfurt office and regarded as “very strong in the hotel and leisure sectors”. His clients include Bank of Scotland and Steigenberger Hotel Group.
At CMS Hasche Sigle Heinrich Schirmer has an “excellent knowledge” of the health care market. Joining him is the “top-tier” Dirk Rodewoldt who is a recognised name in the field.
Johannes Niewerth at Gleiss Lutz is praised for his experience in cross-border transactions. His expertise also extends to commercial lease law, zoning and planning. Detlef Schmidt is a “first-rate” lawyer who also advises on disputes arising from real estate transactions.
At P+P Pöllath + Partners Stefan Lebek is “very highly regarded” and Wolfram Pätzold was repeatedly mentioned to researchers for work in complex real estate transactions.
Jan Lindner-Figura at GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten is a “very experienced” lawyer and is hailed by his contemporaries as a “market leader”. At Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP Peter Decker has extensive experience in national and international real estate transactions involving asset and share deals, joint ventures, sale and leaseback and commercial leasing deals. His expertise also extends to hotels, boarding houses and nursing homes.
At White & Case Endrik Lettau has an “impressive set of institutional investors as clients” and is particularly active in advising foreign investors on their activities in the German real property market. He is also head of the firm’s European and German real estate practice. Philipp Jebens at Jebens Mensching LLP specialises in advising investors and banks in the real estate industry and is “highly regarded” by peers.
Hans Thomas Kessler at SJ Berwin leads the firm’s Germany real estate group. He has advised investors, owners and financial institutions in relation to the acquisitions, sales and financing of real estate portfolios, developments and commercial leases. At Noerr LLP, Frankfurt-based Alexander Goepfert is “outstanding”. He is praised for his expertise in real estate private equity and financing.
Christian Schede at Olswang heads the German real estate group and specialises in M&A transactions, financing and project development. Described as a “talented” lawyer his clients include domestic and international property companies and funds, institutional investors, financial institutions, developers and management companies.