Real Estate | Europe

Clifford Chance has an outstanding reputation for real estate across the continent, with top-ranked practices in London, Germany and the Czech Republic, alongside a further key presence in France, the UK and across the CEE region. The law firm has market-leading expertise in pan-European transactions, regularly handling high-end portfolio acquisitions and disposals. It acts for leading investors, developers and financial clients. Clifford Chance is strong in the residential and commercial properties sectors, including advice on the development of hotels and large-scale office buildings. It is further active on matters concerning logistics portfolios spanning multiple jurisdictions.

CMS has a particularly notable offering in the CEE region, primarily in Poland, and strong coverage across the wider continent with reputable offices in Spain, Germany, Switzerland and across the UK. The law firm represents owners, developers and investors in substantial transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, as well as real estate finance matters and development projects. It also assists with leases, real estate tax and construction. CMS has extensive expertise in the logistics, office, retail and leisure sectors.

Dentons is a well-reputed CEE player with market-leading outfits in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, and increasingly strong presence in Luxembourg, Italy and the Netherlands. It acts for major investors and real estate funds on buying and selling large-scale real estate assets across multiple European jurisdictions. The law firm is also active on real estate development projects and assists with real estate finance issues, handling mandates in the retail and residential sectors.

DLA Piper has a widespread presence across Europe, with key offices in Italy, London, the CEE region, Germany, France and the Netherlands, as well as the Nordics. The law firm frequently assists clients with pan-European transactions, including cross-border acquisitions and disposals of asset portfolios. DLA Piper has extensive experience acting on large-scale real estate financings and refinancings for leading investment companies. It also advises on commercial development projects and related land acquisitions.

The firm has an impressive real estate finance offering, with notable branches in Slovakia, France, Germany and the Benelux region. The law firm is active in the disposal and acquisition of real estate assets, the structuring of lease agreements and property tax structuring. It frequently acts for clients in the banking and finance sector, as well as prominent real estate groups, on matters concerning retail properties. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Baker McKenzie has an expansive office network with major real estate teams in Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary and Turkey, and a strong presence in Luxembourg. The law firm's full-service offering includes portfolio management and joint ventures, as well as cross-border financing. Baker McKenzie is regularly instructed by major players on transactions and investments involving the hospitality and retail sectors.

Greenberg Traurig has an impressive offering spanning the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. The law firm has a broad practice which includes advising clients on acquisition and development matters, and leasing advice relating to both private rental and retail properties. The lawyers further handle large-scale developments, as well as asset and portfolio purchases. Clients include REITs, private equity funds and developers.

Linklaters has an impressive real estate presence across Europe, with market-leading practices in Poland and Belgium, and additional strength in the UK, Spain, Italy, Sweden, France and Germany. The law firm has a solid track record in pan-European deals, often advising investors on cross-border portfolio acquisitions and disposals involving the logistics, retail and office sectors. Linklaters' broad expertise also includes real estate finance matters, as well as development and planning issues for a range of assets.

Freshfields offers strength across many of the continent's key legal hubs, with branches in Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain. It advises clients on all aspects of large-scale, multi-jurisdictional portfolio acquisitions and disposals, including joint ventures and real estate finance. The law firm is highly active for funds, advising on acquisitions and disposals of assets in the hospitality sector. Freshfields additionally acts on investments in retail, logistics and residential properties, including student housing.

Hogan Lovells has a notable practice acting for leading investors and developers on high-value real estate sale and acquisition mandates across Europe. The law firm has reputable branches in Germany, the UK, Spain and Hungary. It assists with real estate asset disposals, representing a number of key clients in the asset management and hotel and leisure sectors. Hogan Lovells is also highly experienced advising on real estate finance issues and is regularly instructed on development projects. The law firm is also active in the logistics sector, advising on portfolio transactions and acquisitions. It counts private equity groups, sovereign wealth funds and REITs among its clients.