Arendt & Medernach approaches much of its work in the real estate sector from a multi-disciplinary perspective as befits a firm that has a core focus on the corporate aspects of work in the space. In this context, the work is driven by a strong and loyal base of real estate-focused funds which the firm, through its investment management team, has helped structure the initial funds, with the subsequent downstream investment work handled by the M&A lawyers - often also involving tax structuring at both stages. Pierre Beissel , who co-ordinates the firm's real estate industry group, is key to much of the fund structuring work, as is the vastly experienced Claude Niedner. For the downstream investment work, which is often cross-border in nature, corporate/M&A head Carsten Opitz often takes the lead. The firm also handles some more 'bricks and mortar' style work across both commercial and residential assets, for developers and end-users/occupiers. Christian Point is the main contact for this work where he is adept at both contentious and non-contentious mandates.

With a core four-strong team that is also able to leverage wider corporate, finance and tax expertise, Dentons has the subject matter expertise and the critical mass to handle a significant variety and volume of complex transactions, ranging from asset and share deal-related real estate M&A, to development projects and advice relating to complex lease negotiations, both domestically and across borders (where it can also tap into the firm's broader international network). 'Very knowledgeable and practical' team head Martine Gerber-Lemaire leads from the front and has an excellent perspective in relation to M&A, funding and investment in the sector, regularly handling many of the most consequential commercial real estate projects in Luxembourg for a wide array of stakeholders, including institutional investors, promoters and sellers. Senior counsel Christel Dumont is also a key member of the team who as well as advising on acquisitions, leasing and property management issues, also has niche experience with regard to real estate-related insolvencies for both creditors and debtors.

Acting in a standalone fashion and working collaboratively with broader practice area specialisms when required, KLEYR GRASSO provides a 'high-quality service' across the full spectrum of commercial real estate/construction work from an advisory/transactional and litigation perspective. Drawing upon an 'in-depth knowledge of real estate law and construction regulations', Yasmine Poos is a popular choice across a range of contractual work, including as it relates to lease negotiations. She is a skilled litigator, with work including defending the State of Luxembourg in relation to real estate-related public procurement disputes. François Collot co-heads the team alongside Poos and has developed niche expertise across environmental, health and safety rules.

 

Led on the downstream investment front by the 'proactive, diligent and very professional' Anton Cox, Linklaters is particularly adept at advising institutional investors on acquisitions and sales in the domestic market relating to the office, retail and logistics assets. The team is also able to lean into broader corporate/M&A strength, while this cross-disciplinary approach is similarly applied across a considerable volume of real estate finance work. Cox is also active advising developers, as well as for owners and users on lettings. Leveraging the firm's extensive international network, the team is also well-placed to advise funds structured in Luxembourg on their cross-border real estate strategies.

The 'excellent and highly professional' team at A&O Shearman collaborates well with other associated practice groups to provide an all-encompassing service to public and private sector stakeholders across all legal aspects associated with the purchase, sale, construction and lease of commercial properties. 'Responsive and solutions-oriented' team head Philippe Eicher  is 'calm and imperturbable in difficult negotiations', including on the negotiation of lease terms for large financial services clients on their moves to new offices in Luxembourg. He is also skilled at advising on forward sales agreements and large development projects. Other key members of the cross-disciplinary group include Jacques Graas, for funds-related real estate work; counsel Pol Theisen whose 'understanding of the Luxembourg real estate sector is exceptional'; and Andreas Hommel for real estate finance matters.

Working on its own as well as being able to leverage vast resources throughout its global network, Baker McKenzie is well-positioned to advise on domestic and cross-border real estate work for developers, investors and end-users. Team head Jean-François Trapp has excellent standing in the industry both through his fee-earning work, which includes corporate real estate work for fund clients, as well as through his continued role as President of the Advisory Board of the LuxReal association.

Led on a day-to-day basis by Sébastien Schmitz and well-integrated across the firm's banking, corporate, funds and tax practice areas, Clifford Chance handles a range of work for developers, investors and public bodies, where it combines local experience with best international practice. Schmitz has recently handled a number of real estate projects in the energy space and is often assisted by 'exceptional' senior associate Alma Custovic , who has 'a proven track record of success in the real estate area'. Litigator Albert Moro co-heads the overarching team alongside Schmitz that is also well-versed at handling cross-border deals, often working closely with its Brussels office, in particular.

‘Combining deep industry knowledge with practical experience’, DSM Avocats à la Cour provides ‘commercially sound guidance’ to a wide array of stakeholders, including but not limited to, developers, investors, engineering companies and project managers, across the gamut of real estate acquisitions/disposals, leasing and development work. As well as handling new money matters, including as it relates to major office space developments, the team has been increasingly active advising on distressed projects. In this context, under the guidance of well-respected team head Mario Di Stefano, it has handled a considerable amount of work for a major insurance company (which provided completion guarantees) in relation to claims brought with regard to the non-completion of a significant residential development.

As well as continuing to advise across core development, leasing and real estate acquisition projects, in light of relatively depressed market conditions Elvinger Hoss Prussen has also been increasingly active handling restructuring mandates, where it is particularly well-positioned to act by virtue of its broad full-service expertise. Team head Stéphanie Pautot has handled some of this restructuring work for her core developer clients, as well as advising on a myriad other corporate real estate transactions. Nathalie Prüm-Carré is very skilled at advising on urban planning matters, both from an advisory as well as contentious perspective. Michel Nickels advises on lease negotiations and also handles some real estate disputes work as part of his broad ranging commercial litigation expertise.

Combining specialist real estate knowledge with broader tax, investment management, corporate and finance nous, Loyens & Loeff provides a one-stop-shop service to a range of stakeholders across the full-scope of their commercial real estate needs. Team head Julien Lecler has 'deep expertise in the real estate sector', particularly for Luxembourg and Belgian development matters (including with regard to forward sale agreements) where he is noted for his 'ability to balance legal precision with commercial pragmatism'.

The 'skilled and pragmatic' team at MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour SARL has 'excellent knowledge of the market', ensuring that it is well-placed to advise investors, asset management entities, developers and owners across a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The 'friendly and hardworking' Stéphanie Juan  has 'excellent technical skills', which she implements to good effect, including on the acquisition and sale of office buildings. The team is co-headed by Paulo Lopes Da Silva who excels in advising on real estate disputes.

Since the arrival in 2022 of the vastly experienced Serge Hoffmann from A&O Shearman, PwC Legal Luxembourg has become in an increasingly pervasive force within the Luxembourg real estate market. Hoffman, who heads the team, is active across a broad range of major development projects within the commercial, retail, logistics and mixed use sectors, and is also very skilled at advising on complex lease negotiations.

Luther S.A.'s 'excellent' team head Aurélien Latouche is noted for his 'pragmatic approach' on behalf of investors, developers, and owners on acquisitions, financings, sale and lease back transactions.

Thewes & Reuter is particularly skilled at advising public sector clients on real estate-related litigation. In this context, administrative law expert Marc Thewes regularly defends public institutions on the defence of challenges to procurement processes.