Real Estate: Norway

This well-respected and diverse real estate and construction team numbers 38 lawyers at its Oslo base. The group assists a range of clients spanning the entire field, including investors, brokers, developers, funds, municipalities and the Norwegian state. “Clever, experienced and commercially sound,” Håvard Skogvoll heads the team. Recent transactional mandates include advising Schibsted Eiendom on the sale of Akersgaten 55, the VG Building, to KLP Insurance, valued at NOK1.2 billion. The team has the capacity to handle complex matters and recently advised Orkla Eiendom on the purchase of 50 properties and real estate companies. In construction, the group has advised the builders of several public projects, including hospital development projects for northern and central Norway. Construction litigation has been another busy area, and the team represented Stryn Energi in a Supreme Court case regarding a hydroelectric power station. Johnny Johansen is described by one source as “one of the best legal advisers for construction contract disputes in Norway.” He advised Statsbygg in proceedings related to building the new opera house in Oslo. Other notable names include Helge Jakob Kolrud, who continues to be highly regarded for his expertise in construction, and Olav Bergsaker, who advises Vegdirektoratet and YIT Building Systems amongst other clients. Jørgen Monn also has experience as an adviser within construction and IT law.

This group maintains a strong presence in the market and regularly advises major clients in the real estate and construction sectors. For example, it represented Vital Forsikring on the sale of Strandveien 4-8, valued at NOK508 million. It also acts for high-profile construction companies, including Skanska, NCC, PEAB, Veidekke, AF Gruppen and Reinertsen, as well as major foreign contractors. The group acted for PEAB in a dispute concerning variation orders worth approximately NOK450 million. Geir Sand has a wide breadth of expertise in both real estate and construction matters. "He has a business approach and is good at finding solutions,” said one observer. Hallgeir Østrem is widely recognised for being “commercial, experienced and very skilled in technical issues.” Nils-Henrik Pettersson is renowned for his litigation skills, and described by sources as being “in a league of his own.” Geir Frøholm is highlighted for his sound advice to construction companies.

Thommessen’s real estate and construction department stands out for its highly experienced and well-qualified team, which numbers 21 lawyers across the Oslo and Bergen offices. The group has been further strengthened by the arrival of senior associate Erlend Haaskjold, who joins Thommessen from the office of the Attorney General. Described as “one of the best teams in Norway,” the outfit attracts clients such as Scandinavian Property Development, Oslo Areal and Kenmore Property Group. “A top lawyer for real estate transactions,” Christian Muller heads the group. He assisted Norwegian Property with its sale of Grev Wedels Plass 9 to UBS, with a gross value of approximately NOK740 million. Gerhard Holm has experience in VAT and tax matters within real estate, and is highlighted for his knowledge in this area. He often assists with transactions involving an international element, and acted for Stabæk Football in connection with the development of the Telenor Arena. “Skilful, hands-on and thorough,” Christopher Borch has extensive experience in commercial property transactions, development and lease issues. He assisted Søylen Næringseiendom with the purchase of the former post office block, worth approximately NOK400 million.

This team of “great quality lawyers” includes three partners and remains an attractive choice for transactional work. Among recent deals, the lawyers have advised Orkla Finans Kapitalforvaltning on the purchase of Gamle Borgenveien, worth approximately NOK512 million. The department’s portfolio of clients includes a number of other financial companies, such as NRP Realkapital and DTZ Realkapital Corporate Finance. Heading the team, Hans Henrik Kvaerne is “clever and constructive in negotiations,”  say sources.The group has also assisted several property owners and real estate developers with cases relating to contractual matters. The firm has an ongoing agreement with the Norwegian Real Estate Broker Association to act as its preferred legal adviser.

This firm continues to draw high praise from clients and peers alike for its real estate and construction work. Highlight transactional work includes advising a German property fund, run by UBS, on the purchase of Grev Wedels Plass 9. “An extremely good real estate lawyer with a strong tax background,” Anne Sofie Bjorkholt joins the team from Wikborg Rein and significantly bolsters its tax and VAT expertise. “The shining star in the real estate field,” Stig Bech is renowned for his excellent negotiation skills, sharp business mind and strong legal expertise. A specialist in real estate transactions, development work and related issues, he led the team advising the founders on the establishment of Pangea Securities, a new real estate player in the Nordic market. The team is equally strong on the construction side. “Clearly a top player,” litigator Sam Harris is widely applauded as “the kind of practitioner you use if you need constructive approach.” An expert in construction and construction contracts, Jan Einar Barbo is admired for being a strong and savvy market player. “Great tactician” Gunnar Sørlie is described by observers as “one of the best construction lawyers in Norway."

With over 20 lawyers, this department is well equipped to deal with high-level real estate transactions, development and construction. Recently arrived from Haavind, Mikkel Vislie further strengthens the group with his wide-ranging expertise. Andreas Rørvik is highly respected for his work on transactions, and led the team acting for IT Fornebu on a lease agreement with StatoilHydro. Even Berg is also commended by clients for being “frank and easy to work with.” Live Spandow and Thomas Reppe Wetting focus on transactional work. Svein Sulland is highly regarded for his work with clients in the construction sector, such as Norconsult, Strukton Rail, Aberdeen Property Investors and Vilbergmoen Utvikling.

Wiersholm continues to impress the market with its growing real estate and construction team. The lawyers advise a range of clients on the full spectrum of real estate matters, including the purchase, sale, leasing and development of commercial and residential properties, as well as financing, structuring and establishment of real estate funds. The firm's real estate, corporate and tax departments work together in order to provide a seamless service to clients. Tom Rune Lian focuses on real estate and is described as “a strong and solid performer, with good knowledge of the industry.” Arne Engesæth is highly experienced in construction law, both on advisory and litigious matters. Observers highlight his “wise, sound judgement and easy-going, trustworthy manner.” He also acts as a mediator. The “brilliant” Helge Svarva is also widely respected as a litigator.

Based in Oslo and Bergen, this relatively compact firm continues to develop a sound reputation for its real estate and construction work. “The team is a real alternative to the big, full-service firms for real estate.” Despite the outfit's overall size, the department numbers 31 fee earners, demonstrating its focus on this practice area. The team has built an impressive client base, which includes Storebrand, ICA Norge, Orkla Finans Kapitalforvaltning and Ferd Eiendom. Sources have noted its progression into handling more transactional work. The lawyers have also acted on a number of disputes for clients such as Statens Vegvesen and Georg Andresen & Sønner. Partners Andreas Iversen and Børge Nygårdshaug head the transaction team. Iversen is highlighted as “a strong, very skilled and clever lawyer.” Nygårdshaug is “good at finding solutions that work for all parties, while putting our interests first,” said one source.

Construction work is a real area of focus at this firm. Grette serves clients in the private and public sectors, including HENT, Spenncon, Statsbygg, Jernbaneverket, Kollektivtransport produksjon, Höegh Eiendom Bravida and Sønnico. Leading the team, Harald Fosse focuses on construction and has also recently handled some litigation and projects work. He is highlighted for his good communication skills: “He explains things clearly and in a way we can understand,” clients enthuse.

With a traditional focus on tax and auditing work, Deloitte has successfully branched into real estate. The lawyers’ considerable expertise in VAT and tax aspects of real estate transactions in Norway has enabled the firm to develop a foothold in the market. Thorvald Nyquist primarily acts for real estate developers and commercial property owners. He has also led negotiations within complex lease disputes, in addition to assisting with real-estate related restructuring matters. 

The Norwegian arm of this global firm has broad experience in all aspects of real estate and construction law. The practice includes acquisitions, construction, financing, land use and development, leasing, environmental matters, insurance, tax and litigation services. The firm represented Skanska Bolig on a joint venture with Ferd Eiendom for the sale and development of the Tiedeman properties. Bjorn Slaatta led this work and receives high praise from sources. He has “wide experience and is able to see the business side of a case, as well as the legal considerations.” The construction team has been handling a range of major disputes for clients such as Mesta, Veidekke, Oras and NCC Construction. Hans Christian Brodtkorp has particular expertise in construction law and development matters in real estate. His experience ranges from large international projects such as PPP mandates to smaller local matters. He is highlighted for being “very quick and very good on the contracts side.” Are Hunskaar regularly works with service providers, construction companies and their subcontractors. He also has extensive experience in litigation in the fields of construction and professional liability. Espen Moe is often called upon in major disputes and contract negotiations and is “a very efficient, positive, practical man – he really gets things done,” say commentators.

This Oslo-based player is recognised for its real estate construction group, and commentators remark that the lawyers form “a very good team.” Heikki Giverholt is highlighted for his negotiation skills. Karl Marthinussen  is “very experienced as a litigator and good with contracts.” Johan Henrik Vister also works with the construction team.

Real estate and construction is one of this firm’s central areas and the team has grown rapidly to number 55 lawyers across the offices in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. The firm is particularly highly regarded for construction. The lawyers have impressed clients with their high level of attention: “They always provide good service, no matter whether we ask a simple question or have a complex issue.” The team represents a wide variety of clients within the construction industry, including architects, owners, developers and engineers. Kluge has frame agreements with a number of major state entities, including the Norwegian National Rail Administration and the Norwegian State Airport Authority; it also acts for some of the major Norwegian construction companies such as AF Gruppen, Veidekke and Mesta Entreprenør. Harald Kobbe has “huge experience in representing the construction sector,” say sources.  He has acted for Veidekke in litigation against the Norwegian Road Authorities. Sources say Espen Nyland is “an excellent practitioner to work with – we have good discussions, he always responds quickly and is business-minded.” Odd Tvedt is admired as “a very skilled and sensible lawyer.”

Nine partners and ten associates focus on real estate transactions and restructuring work in the Oslo and Bergen offices of this firm. This capacity means the team’s broad experience and expertise cover all aspects, including real estate law, finance, insolvency, contracts, corporate and tax. In light of Anne Sofie Bjorkholt's move to BA-HR, the firm has plans for reorganisation but continues to be busy with major transactional work. The group advised Niam on the acquisition of several properties from an Aberdeen Property Investors real estate fund, at a total value of approximately NOK1.5 billion. The group has also assisted Estatia Resort on a high-value restructuring matter. Five partners and eight associates are active in real estate construction. This team is frequently instructed on litigation cases and has expertise in resolving complex construction disputes. Heading the team, Erlend Holstrøm is praised for his “wide capability and expertise” in this area.