Weronika Duda shortlisted for Top Woman in Real Estate
The largest real estate transactions can span a dozen legal systems, four continents and dozens of counterparties requiring tough negotiations. That is why success in this field demands more than substantive expertise, practical know-how and the ability to navigate an international environment. What truly matters is the capacity to grasp the big picture and think holistically – especially when others are lost in the detail.
It is precisely this ability that has earned Weronika Duda a place among the finalists in the Legal Advisory Services category of the 9th edition of the Top Woman in Real Estate/Construction/Logistics competition.
A billion-dollar portfolio, day-to-day precision
Weronika manages a transactional portfolio worth over USD 2 billion, coordinating projects across 11 jurisdictions, including the United States and China, India and the DACHL region. And this is just one part of the bigger picture.
What truly sets her apart is her nearly 15 years of hands-on experience and a talent for devising effective strategies and building lasting partnerships, combined with a rare ability to translate complex legal frameworks into tangible business results.
To the PE funds and institutional investors she works with daily, she is not so much an advisor as a trusted partner who understands that real estate law is a tool for creating value, not just for managing risk.
The tougher the challenge, the better
Over the past year, Weronika delivered a series of projects that many would consider too challenging to take on simultaneously. Our expert was able to handle them all.
She led a multi-layered sale and leaseback transaction involving a portfolio of warehouse assets across three EU countries. She coordinated the work of foreign law firms, drafting the master framework agreement and securing W&I and title insurance policies. The result was a harmonised set of lease standards across different legal systems, reducing the negotiation timeline by more than a third.
At the same time, she conducted a due diligence exercise for a company managing 12 subsidiaries, across Europe and beyond. During the most challenging phase of this EUR 400 million-plus project, she successfully identified and eliminated critical risks in the chain of title. This ensured the operational continuity of facilities that were vital to the investor’s entire portfolio.
Another landmark transaction, valued at approximately USD 400 million, involved a strategic acquisition in the energy sector, bringing a global player into the Polish market. Weronika led an in-depth due diligence exercise on the land underlying a gas terminal infrastructure. Among other things, she identified restrictions on land disposals, significantly reducing the regulatory risk.
Law that adds value
One of Weronika’s most significant achievements last year was the restructuring of a site spanning nearly 4.5 hectares. Thanks to her dedication, the property’s redevelopment potential was unlocked, with 72,000 sqm of usable floor area becoming available. This fundamentally transformed its market position and value for the owner.
She successfully advised on the lease of a strategic BTS hub, reconciling the expectations of both parties with documentation requirements and market realities. She also negotiated a long-term lease, embedding rigorous ESG and green building standards into the transaction documentation.
In parallel, she manages a portfolio of prime office properties in central Warsaw, providing commercialisation support that directly contributes to the profitability of these assets.
DACHL Desk – bridging two worlds
As Head of the German Desk, Weronika builds a lasting investment bridge between the DACHL region and Poland. This role demands an understanding of multiple business cultures and the ability to navigate seamlessly between them.
Her clients include some of the largest FMCG and automotive companies, for whom she has managed property investments worth over EUR 500 million. This level of trust has been built over years and is sustained through precision, consistency and unfailingly high standards.
A leader who lifts others
Weronika does not build success for herself alone.
She acts as a mentor, with a particular focus on building the capabilities required to manage multi-jurisdictional projects. Her approach, combining rigorous transactional execution with optimisation and an emphasis on asset value, has become a benchmark for the next generation of real estate lawyers.
Her place on the Top Woman in Real Estate shortlist is no coincidence. It is the result of years of hard work, countless hours at the negotiating table and decisions taken at the most challenging moments of exceptionally complex transactions.
We congratulate Weronika on this richly deserved recognition. We are also proud to see her work setting new standards in real estate legal advisory – not just in Poland, but further afield too.
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