Team size: Two

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

The legal team at NCC Property Developmen is at the forefront of all legal and transactional affairs within development projects in Denmark. Despite our limited size, our team is highly regarded in the real estate sector for our specialised expertise, astute commercial insights, and strong integrity. Here are some recent noteworthy cases:

In spring 2022, our team collaborated with external advisors to facilitate NCC Property Development divestment of Genmab new headquarters in Valby, Copenhagen, to Industriens Pension. The transaction, valued at approximately SEK875mn, involved a property spanning 16,000 square meters lettable area and a parking garage next to the building, with space for 285 vehicles and facilities for parking bicycles.

During spring 2021, we played a pivotal role in NCC Property Development’s acquisition of a prime building plot (COPEN) in central Copenhagen, earmarked for the development of 10,000 square meters for office and hotel use.

Additionally, in 2023, our team, alongside external advisors, facilitated negotiations for several option agreements. These agreements paved the way for NCC Property Development to secure over 50,000 square meters of residential building rights in Greater Copenhagen upon final district plan approval.

Over the years, we have also contributed to various development projects across Denmark, including Frederiks Plads and Omega Company House in Aarhus, Genmab headquarters and Kontorværket II in Valby, Copenhagen, and COPEN on Amager Boulevard, Copenhagen.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

To succeed as an in-house lawyer in the real estate industry requires a combination of strong legal expertise, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Understanding the complexities of both office and residential development projects is crucial, as is the ability to navigate regulatory frameworks and anticipate potential legal challenges and solutions.

Effective communication and collaboration skills are essential for fostering strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners. Moreover, a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards are of utmost importance in ensuring business success in our industry, which is currently undergoing significant transformation due to increasing demands for sustainability, ESG data, and EU taxonomy.

Our legal team also plays a crucial role in incorporating these requirements into our business, ensuring long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

Our legal team has fostered closer collaboration with our business partners by actively engaging in cross-functional initiatives and projects. This involves regular communication and alignment meetings to ensure that legal considerations are integrated early in decision-making processes. Additionally, we conduct legal training sessions for relevant colleagues and business units to enhance their understanding of legal implications.

By being accessible, proactive, and emphasising the importance of legal input, we have established a culture of collaboration where our colleagues are not hesitant to involve us in projects, resulting in smoother workflows and better-informed decisions across projects and business units.

All these efforts have positioned our legal team as a key strategic partner within our business – not only regarding legal considerations but particularly in commercial deliberations and decisions.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

In addition to my role as a legal counsel at NCC Property Development, I am deeply involved in Djøf, where I serve as the chairman of Djøf Advokat and the vice president of Djøf. Djøf Advokat is dedicated to representing and advocating for the interests of over 3,100 employed lawyers and junior lawyers.

Within Djøf Advokat, we strive not only to improve working conditions but also to cultivate a vibrant community through various professional and social events, networking opportunities, and international study trips. Our membership has grown by 46% since 2018, reflecting the value and impact of our initiatives.