CMS appoints new head of CEE real estate practice

CMS has appointed Wojciech Koczara as the new head of the firm’s real estate practice in Central and Eastern Europe.

Wojciech Koczara of CMS Poland succeeds Hungary based Gábor Czike, who led the practice for over two years. Wojciech has over 15 years’ experience in the real estate sector and has played a key role in developing CMS’ regional real estate practice, advising on some of the major property transactions in the region. He takes the helm of the practice at a time of significant activity levels in the sector across the region and particularly in Poland, which has recently accounted for most of CEE real estate investment. The firm advised on the sale of a real estate portfolio of six logistics projects (four in Poland and two in the Czech Republic) by Pramerica and Panattoni Europe to Logicor, considered the largest so far in the increasingly active CEE logistics market in the first half of 2014.

CMS Managing Partner for CEE, Andrew Kozlowski commented: “CMS continues to stand out as the market leading real estate legal advisor in the region, advising on many of the most significant cross-border and domestic transactions in the logistics, office, retail, hotel and leisure sectors. We are indebted to Gábor for his thoughtful leadership and role in building the excellent market position we enjoy today.” Gábor will continue to play a key role in the development of the regional real estate practice going forward.

CMS has more than 450 dedicated real estate and construction lawyers in over 30 countries. The CMS Real Estate and Construction practice is one of the largest specialist teams worldwide. The firm was recently named the 2014 Law Firm of the Year in Poland by Eurobuild CEE.