Email address
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+47 99 44 82 73Share profile
Band 4
Provided by Liv Zimmermann
Real Estate
Planning and building law
Zoning law
With over 30 years of experience in real estate and construction law, Liv Zimmermann is a highly regarded legal expert known for her strategic and results-driven approach. Since transitioning to private practice in 2005, Liv has built a stellar reputation advising clients on complex planning, zoning, and construction matters. Her extensive background in the public sector, including 15 years at the Oslo Planning and Building Authority—where she served as Head of Department and Assistant Director—provides her with unparalleled insight into public administration and regulatory processes.
Liv is a trusted advisor to developers, contractors, municipalities, and private clients, offering comprehensive counsel on all stages of real estate and construction projects. She specializes in planning processes, development agreements, land acquisition, reimbursement claims, building permits, completion certificates, and post-sale disputes. Her collaborative approach often involves working closely with architects, engineers, real estate agents, and other consultants to deliver optimal outcomes for her clients.
A recognized thought leader in her field, Liv has been appointed to several legislative committees, where she has contributed to key amendments to the Planning and Building Act and the Ownership of Property Units Act. She also chaired the Norwegian Bar Association’s Building and Zoning Law Committee, further solidifying her influence in shaping Norway’s legal landscape.
Liv’s expertise extends to advising public sector clients, including municipalities, on a wide range of property law issues. Her services include ongoing consultancy, quality assurance of administrative decisions, investigation of complex legal matters, and litigation. Her deep understanding of political decision-making processes allows her to provide both professional and strategic guidance in navigating regulatory challenges.
In addition to her legal practice, Liv is a sought-after lecturer on planning, building, and environmental law. Since 2013, she has been a key speaker at the annual Planning and Building Law Conference organized by the Center for Continuing Legal Education, where she provides updates on case law to her peers. Recently, she has also delivered lectures on environmental law topics, including the EU’s taxonomy and climate-related requirements in land-use planning.
Liv is the co-editor and co-author of the second edition of Gyldendal’s authoritative commentary on the Planning and Building Act, a widely respected resource in the field.
Her combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and collaborative problem-solving makes Liv a trusted advisor for both local and international clients seeking guidance on complex real estate and construction matters in Norway.
2015 – Leader, The Norwegian Bar Association’s Committee for Building and Zoning Law
2013 – 2014 Member, Owner’s Association Committee
2007 – Board member, Skaara Arkitekter AS
2008 – 2010 Board member, Filmparken AS
Article in the Journal for Real Estate Law (02/2018): «Forholdet mellom opparbeidelsesplikten og refusjonsreglene i plan- og bygningsloven: Går veiplikten lenger enn retten til refusjon?»
Co-author and co-editor of Gyldendals kommentarutgave til plan- og bygningsloven (2. utgave)
Refusjon: krav om private bidrag ved opparbeidelse av vei og legging av vann- og avløpsledninger, September 2015, Byggeindustrien nr. 12 2015
Bruksendring – En innføring i plan- og bygningsloven for praktikere (Senter for eiendomsjus 2012)
Professional Experience
2018 Head of the real estate and construction law practice area, Advokatfirmaet Hjort
2013 Partner, Advokatfirmaet Hjort
2010 Partner, Bull & Co.
2005 Partner, Advokatfirmaet Vodal Zimmermann & Co. AS
2005 Attorney, Bull & Co.
2004 Drafting member of the Building Law Commission, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional
Development/Building Law Commission
1995 Deputy Director/Departmental Director/Head of Section/Special Advisor, Oslo City Council, Planning and Building
Authority
1994 Deputy Judge, the Office of the District Judge in Vinger and Odal
1989 Senior Executive Officer/Consultant, County Governor of Oslo and Akershus
The University of Oslo
Masters of Law, Candidate in Jurisprudence,
1989
The University of Oslo
Project forum for organisation and management,
1988
Provided by Chambers
Liv Zimmermann leverages her former experience in the public sector in her real estate practice. She is especially recognised for her adept handling of zoning issues.
Provided by Chambers
She is highly skilled and very professional.
She has very strong expertise in planning and building law, strategy, and legal assessments.
She is highly skilled and very professional.
She has very strong expertise in planning and building law, strategy, and legal assessments.
