Dentons appoints Piotr Szafarz as Head of CEE Real Estate practice

Dentons has appointed partner Piotr Szafarz as Head of the CEE Real Estate practice, where he will be responsible for strengthening institutional client relationships and enhancing Dentons’ position as the leading Real Estate practice in Central and Eastern Europe. In his new role, he will collaborate closely with Pascal Schmitz, Head of the Europe Real Estate practice, based in Paris.

Piotr Szafarz also leads top tier Warsaw Real Estate team of more than 50 lawyers including eight partners.  He will be supported by two newly appointed deputies: partners Monika Sitowicz and Bartłomiej Kordeczka.

“The CEE region continues to offer excellent opportunities for investors. I believe that after a difficult 2020, we will see a rebound and increased activity on the real estate market in the coming year,” said Piotr Szafarz. “Understanding our clients’ business needs and improving efficiency through new technology enables us to continue delivering a top value proposition to our clients. I will collaborate closely with my partners across CEE and in Warsaw, in particular with my deputies – Monika Sitowicz and Bartłomiej Kordeczka.”

Piotr Szafarz has advised on real estate law for 27 years and is ranked as a top tier lawyer in Poland by independent legal directories Chambers Europe and Who’s Who Legal.  In 2020 alone, under his leadership, the Warsaw Real Estate team advised on more than 40 deals with an aggregate value of approximately €2.5 billion, for clients such as Cavatina Holding, CPI Property Group, GLL Real Estate Partners, Hines, P3 Logistic Parks, Savills Investment Management, Segro and Skanska Property Group.

Piotr Szafarz’s appointment is part of the Firm’s leadership transition strategy in preparation for senior partner Paweł Dębowski’s planned retirement from private legal practice at the end of this year.  He will be moving to a new phase of his career in private equity.

“After 31 years in private legal practice, I have been contemplating a change for some time, and am excited about my next chapter in the private equity sector,” said Paweł Dębowski. “I am fully confident that the Firm’s clients will be in the extremely capable hands of Piotr Szafarz and the other stellar partners of Dentons’ Real Estate practice, who are recognized among the top lawyers in Poland. I look forward to my continued collaboration with Dentons’ Real Estate team, now as a client.”

“I am absolutely delighted that Piotr has agreed to take the helm of our CEE Real Estate practice.  Dentons has a world-class team of 450 real estate lawyers in Europe and the UK, including more than 50 in Poland, who are ready to serve the legal needs of our clients across the region,” said Evan Lazar, Co-chair of Dentons’ Global Real Estate Group and Chairman of the Europe Board. “I would like to thank Paweł for his immense contribution to our firm over the last decade and wish him the best in the next stage of his professional life. I very much look forward to working with Paweł as our client.”

Dentons’ Real Estate team offers comprehensive services to property clients – investors, developers, and lenders. The team advises on the acquisition and sale of commercial real estate, real estate financing, and lease transactions in the office, logistics, retail, residential and hotel sectors.