Instructed by a diverse array of stakeholders, including investors, banks and developers, BGI Legal has an excellent perspective of the commercial and legal requirements required to successfully conclude real estate and construction matters. Under the guidance of Zaza Bibilashvili and Tamara Tevdoradze, the team has gained particular acclaim for its work in the energy space and as part of its multi-disciplinary approach regularly advises on the real estate-related matters associated with facilitating large-scale fossil fuels and renewables projects. Lasha Gogiberidze's work in the space spans both “brick and mortar” matters, as well as corporate real estate mandates, to include M&A and asset deals involving shopping malls. Sandro Bibilashvili is also a key member of the team, regularly advising investors and financiers on hydropower projects and also regularly engaged by foreign diplomatic missions on their real estate requirements in Georgia.

BLC Law Office LLC is particularly adept at advising national and international developers across a range of large domestic construction and real estate projects. Since the deregulation of the energy market in 2008, the firm has been involved in many substantial projects in the space and continues to advise on a wide range of major renewable energy projects. Lasha Uplisashvil has been pivotal to the firm’s success in the sector, impressing developer clients with his ability to handle mandates throughout the life-cycle of project, from advising on land acquisition, acquiring the relevant permits and licenses, to negotiations with the relevant public authorities. Managing partner Alexander Bolkvadze co-heads the team alongside Uplisashvil and is also active in the energy space, including renewables and fossil fuels, as well as regularly handling general commercial property mandates.

Effectively combining ‘knowledge of the local legislation with significant international experience,’ Dentons provides a ‘very efficient and results oriented’ service to foreign stakeholders across a wide array of real estate and construction-related work. The energy sector remains a particularly fertile source of work, both on the renewables and oil and gas front, with work spanning the transaction life-cycle, through contracts governed by both Georgian and English law. Avto Svanidze is pivotal to the firm’s success in the energy space and recently advised a private equity fund as investor on the first ever hydro power project concession under the new PPP law of Georgia. ‘Personable, knowledgeable and cost conscious’ Irakli Pipia is well-liked by international stakeholders for his ability to provide ‘local problem solving capability of the highest order,’ including as it relates to real estate due diligence and contractual matters. Managing partner Otar Kipshidze co-heads the team alongside Svanidze.

Drawing upon an ‘excellent breadth and depth of coverage at both partner and associate levels,’ BLB (Business Legal Bureau) has the resources and expertise to handle concurrent real estate matters for a diverse array of stakeholders. The firm’s longstanding presence in the market, stretching back to Georgia’s transformation to a market economy, means that the firm has ‘knowledge of all peculiarities of Georgian legal system,’ which provides reassurance to international stakeholders. Areas of focus include commercial, retail and industrial real estate matters, as well as larger-scale construction projects. Kakha Sharabidze, Maya Mtsariashvili and David Khaindrava co-head the team.

Under the leadership of the vastly experienced Nick Gvinadze, Gvinadze & Partners LLC is particularly effective advising international stakeholders engaged in a myriad of major commercial real estate, energy and infrastructure projects. In this context, clients benefit from a deep knowledge of the nuances of Georgian law, but with advice which is delivered with a core understanding of international legal and commercial standards. Although the team is also abreast of renewables work, it continues to advise on a number of major oil and gas projects, including its role as exclusive Georgian counsel to SOCAR Midstream Operations on all aspects of their extensive activities related to the operation of the biggest gas pipeline transiting Georgia (the South Caucasus Pipeline). Sophie Panjikidze and Zakaria Shvelidze are also recommended.

Nodia, Urumashvili & Partners advises property developers, contractors and construction companies, primarily from the fields of hospitality and real estate, throughout the life-cycle of their projects. Drawing upon expertise gleaned through private practice as well as in her previous role as in-house counsel to a major domestic construction and development company, Nino Kvinikadze has deep understanding across the gamut of core “brick and mortar” real estate matters. Kvinikadze co-heads the team alongside Vakhtang Gamtsemlidze, who is well-versed in advising on corporate and M&A-related real estate matters.

MG Law Office provides ‘practical and commercially viable solutions’ to local and international clients across a wide range of real estate transactions and investments, including as it relates to commercial property acquisitions, major construction and development projects, co-ownership arrangements and leases. The team has longstanding expertise advising clients on major hospitality projects and has also recently started to pick up work in the renewables space, including the development, construction and operation of hydropower plants. George Svanadze and the ‘very experienced and insightful’ Archi Giorgadze co-head the team.

 

Combining deep insight into local legislation and regulations, with commercial knowledge of the market, MKD Law is well-positioned to advise a range of stakeholders including developers, investors and end users across a wide range of commercial real estate and construction projects. David Metskhovrishvili has expertise among private and public entities in relation to infrastructure and energy projects, with clients also benefiting from his broader litigation knowledge from a risk management perspective as well as in the event of litigation. As part of her broad ranging banking and finance expertise, Natalia Babakishvili regularly advises borrowers and lenders (including development banks) on large domestic infrastructure projects.

The ‘professional and experienced’ team at VBAT provides ‘high-quality’ advice to myriad stakeholders across the gamut of transactional, advisory and disputes work within the real estate space. The hospitality sector remains a particular area of strength, with the team often involved in the drafting of hotel management or development agreements. Managing partner Davit Kikaleishvili, who has real estate and construction litigation expertise, co-heads the team along with Giorgi Melikishvili, Tinatin Tskhvediani and Nana Amisulashvili.