Germany: Real Estate
The real estate market in Germany is slowly improving. In the second quarter of 2012 it was the top performing European commercial real estate market, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. While there remains a fair amount of distressed work such as the selling of debt portfolios, lawyers are cautiously optimistic about the coming year. Thirty-five lawyers stand out for their exceptional abilities in this field.
At Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, four lawyers stand out for their “superb” practices. Head of the global real estate group Johannes Conradi is “one of the leading” lawyers in Germany. He advises on real estate transactions, project developments and real estate finance. Friedrich Heilmann is praised for his “strong technical ability” and his clients include national and international corporations and investors, financial institutions and property developers. Heinz Kummer advises on structuring transactions and is a “great asset” to the firm. Niko Schultz-Süchting has a “very active” practice and has developed a specialism for advising on the regulatory aspects of German open-ended funds in combination with the regulatory implications for real estate transactions nationally and internationally.
Clifford Chance LLP also fields four lawyers in this chapter. Klaus Minuth specialises in large-scale portfolio and sale and leaseback transactions. He is considered “top notch”. Cornelia Thaler advises on sale and purchase agreements as well on financing and non-performing loans. Jörn Stobbe specialises in financing and restructuring regarding real estate and is praised for his “astute mind”. Christian Keilich focuses his practice on national and cross border real estate investments, transactions and development projects. He is considered “excellent” in the field of real estate securitisations.
Three names feature from GSK Stockmann + Kollegen. Rainer Stockmann is a “highly talented” lawyer specialising in all areas of real estate. Rainer Werum is a “well-known” name in the market. He complements his real estate expertise with knowledge of the banking and investment sectors. Michael Jani advises on real estate transactions, investments, commercial leases and portfolio structuring.
At P+P Pöllath + Partners, we select three lawyers for inclusion in this chapter. Matthias Durst is praised by his clients for his “commitment to a deal” and “depth of expertise”. His practice focuses on real estate transactions, project development, commercial leases, financing and joint ventures. Stefan Lebek is “greatly respected” by his peers for his expertise in real estate transactions, investments and project development. Wolfram Pätzold is “vastly experienced” in real estate transactions and known for his “careful handling” of complex matters.
GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten is represented by two practitioners. Head of the firm’s real estate practice Jan Lindner-Figura is a “celebrated” practitioner with a “global reputation” for his expertise in this field. Frank Stellmann is “highly recommended” and also praised for his dispute resolution skills.
Two lawyers at SammlerUsinger feature prominently in our research. Jens Bock advises on a wide range of real estate matters and is praised for his “significant industry expertise”. Wolfgang Usinger has a “long-standing reputation” in the field and concentrates on transactions, project development, commercial tenancy law and hotel contracts.
At Latham & Watkins LLP, two lawyers are selected for inclusion. Jürgen Hübner has transactional expertise covering a wide range of jurisdictions and has also built up “considerable expertise” in advising open-ended real estate funds on investment law issues. Cord Lübke-Detring is “well versed” in real estate matters concerning agents and agreements with architects.
Hinrich Thieme at Hogan Lovells advises institutional and private investors, banks, real estate companies and developers and public authorities on large real estate development projects and privatisations of residential housing companies. He is also “well equipped” to handle international joint ventures and financing matters. He is joined by Marc Werner, managing partner of the Frankfurt office. He provides ongoing advice on property-related investment projects such as offices, hotels and restaurants, urban entertainment centres, multiplex cinemas and logistics facilities. In addition, he is “frequently” engaged as a litigator or arbitrator in real estate disputes.
At CMS Hasche Sigle, Heinrich Schirmer is considered “first rate” and he advises on domestic and international real estate transactions, asset management, project development and real estate financing. Alongside him, Dirk Rodewoldt is deemed “highly proficient”.
Christian Schede of Olswang LLP is considered an “important player” in the real estate market. Head of the firm’s real estate group in Germany, he specialises in M&A transactions in real estate, infrastructure and related financing. His expertise covers an “impressive” range of asset classes residential, office, retail, hotels, leisure, nursing homes and hospitals.
Founding partner of Jebens Mensching LLP, Philipp Jebens focuses his practice on advising investors and banks on real estate transactions and project developments. A “prominent” figure in the market, he advises on the tax, structuring and financing aspects of these deals.
Head of the German real estate group at SJ Berwin LLP, Hans Thomas Kessler is described as a “pleasure to work with” and praised for his “commercial acumen”.
Ingo Winterstein at Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP is “well regarded” in the sector for his expertise in closed and open ended fund structures, real estate financing, REITS and restructuring.
At Hengeler Mueller, Thomas Müller is a “prominent” lawyer in real estate transactions.
Erwin von Bressensdorf is one of the founding partners of trûon Rechtsanwälte LLP. With more than 20 years experience in corporate real estate, he is a “true specialist” in the field.
At White & Case LLP, Endrik Lettau is “best known” for advising international entrants on the German real estate market. He advises international hotel groups on their long-term leasing and operating contracts for various hotel projects in the country.
Hanns-William Mülsch of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP advises on real estate private equity transactions, open-ended real estate investment funds and restructurings and M&A.
The “excellent” Johannes Niewerth of Gleiss Lutz advises both national and international clients on real estate transactions. He is “well versed” in commercial lease law, project development, zoning and planning and restructuring.
Michael Steinbrecher at Linklaters LLP is widely recognised as a “leading authority” in the field. He advises on real estate purchases, lead contractor agreements, planning and building regulations.
At Noerr, Alexander Goepfert advises on real estate transactions, private equity and real estate financing. He is “greatly respected” by peers and clients alike.