Castrén & Snellman provides full-service assistance on real estate transactions, advising major international and domestic clients on investments into the Finnish real estate market; the team also counts investors, developers, funds, construction companies, occupiers and municipalities on its client roster. Other areas of expertise span property development projects, leasing issues, environmental work, and construction mandates. In the contentious space, as well as handling domestic construction litigation, the team also acts in international arbitration proceedings relating to major energy and infrastructure projects in Finland and internationally. Key members of the team are Antti Kaakkola, who is head of the real estate investments and transactions group; and Samuli Tarkiainen, who is joint lead of the international construction and projects team. Elina Marttala is the kay name at senior associate level.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘C&S has one of the leading real estate practices in Finland. They have a strong position especially in demanding real estate transactions and development projects.’
  • ‘Antti Kaakkola has taken part in many of the biggest deals in the industry during the past few years, and in my books his skills and quality of work is almost unmatched.'

  • 'Elina Marttala is a very talented and skilled person. She has a practical way to think about different solutions.’
  • 'Minna Korhonen has helped us in cases where financing related expertise has been needed. She's done excellent work and stands out with the level of service and response times.’
  • ‘Antti Kaakkola is a very talented and wise attorney. He can identify the most important things. He negotiates in a solution-seeking way.'

  • ‘Antti Kaakkola, a partner with strong commercial acumen, excellent industry reach and can-do service attitude.’

  • ‘C&S' is truly a full-service law firm as they can provide high-end legal advice in various areas of law.’

  • 'Antti Kaakkola is very talented and one of the most promising younger generation real estate partners in Finland. We have noted his in-depth understanding on both legal and commercial aspects of real estate transactions (and business needs of the industry behind them) as well as appreciate his pragmatic and solution-oriented approach regardless of whether he advises us or our counterparties.’

Key clients

  • OP-Public Services Real Estate non-UCITS Fund
  • OP-Rental Yield non-UCITS fund
  • Nrep Oy
  • Sagax Finland Asset Management Oy
  • BEWI ASA
  • Samla Capital Oy
  • eQ Community Properties Fund
  • eQ’s Residential Property Fund
  • Vierumäen Hotellikiinteistö Ky
  • Biovian Oy
  • Fortum Corporation
  • NSF IV Finland Advisory Oy

Work highlights

  • Advised OP-Public Services Real Estate non-UCITS fund on a transaction whereby it sold a portfolio of 15 care properties to Kinland Property VI Oy, a company originating from Norway.
  • Advised Nrep on its acquisition of a residential portfolio comprising three residential properties and 226 apartments from S-Bank Housing non-UCITS Fund.
  • Advised Sagax on a sale and leaseback transaction whereby Sagax acquired MEKO AB’s central warehouse properties in Finland.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Antti Kaakkola, Samuli Tarkiainen

Other key lawyers

Minna Korhonen, Elina Marttala