Stefan Osing

Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek

Düsseldorf www.heuking.de

s.osing@heuking.de Tel: +49 211 600 55 207

Biography

Dr. Osing was admitted to the German Bar in 1997 and became partner of Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek in 2001. He is a recognised specialist in construction law and is head of the real estate and construction law department in Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek’s Düsseldorf office. He advises German and international clients in construction law and real estate transactions mostly on a crossborder aspect. His major projects have included energy and infrastructure projects, as well as large buildings such as cinemas, shopping centres or hotels.

What motivated you to pursue a career in construction law?

I was always fascinated by the complexity as well as the beauty of building constructions.

What qualities make for a successful construction lawyer?

The most crucial quality is a good technical understanding of the work and the complexity of construction sites. Different from any other industry each building is unique and each site is different from the ones you worked on before.

How do you effectively prepare for advising clients on crossborder construction and real estate matters?

I am a frequent speaker in and a frequent attendee of ICP, the Construction Subcommittee of the IBA.

What is the most complex energy and/or infrastructure project you have worked on?

Several big wind-farm projects in the North Sea and a couple of gas pipelines.

To what extent has the coronavirus pandemic impacted the construction industry in Germany?

There was no negative impact. On the contrary prices went up significantly as we experienced a shortfall in supplies such as wood or other essential materials.

If there was one reform you could implement in German construction law, what would it be and why?

A mandatory adjudication board for big construction sites. Adjudication boards offer quick solutions and are in my experience the best way to solve disputes as soon as they arise and before they become a problem that might endanger the whole project.

What can younger lawyers be doing to better establish themselves in construction law?

Meet people from the industry as well as other lawyers who are practising construction.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

It ain’t over till it’s over.

WWL says: Stefan Osing is revered for his broad construction and real estate practice which encompasses an array of transactional and contentious issues.