Earlier this year, Evan Z. Lazar found himself on top of the world — the world of real estate law, that is.

In January, the renowned British publishing house Chambers & Partners (C&P) picked him in their annual Global Guide as the leading real estate lawyer in the region.

Lazar is "something of a deity in East European real estate circles," C&P said, after interviewing 6,500 clients and lawyers in 170 countries over the course of 12 months.

"He is an aggressive lawyer in the New York style," C&P concluded.

While pleased with the honor, Lazar tried to downplay such high praise during an interview with The Prague Post. He said godlike comparisons conflicted with his religious views, and also that C&P may have mixed him up with his colleague at the firm Salans, Eric Rosedale, when referring to the aggressive style.

In the interview, Lazar displayed another characteristic — his answers were direct, if a bit laconic.

The Prague Post: A recent Chambers & Partners' report described you as 'something of a deity in East European real estate circles.' What was your reaction reading this?

Evan Z. Lazar: I was concerned, as this would conflict with the religious views that I have and those respected by most of my friends and clients.

TPP: How would you describe the potential of the regional real estate market compared to elsewhere in the European Union from the point of view of a law expert?

EL: The regional real estate market is quickly converging with the markets of Western Europe. Prices and lending conditions for commercial transactions are rapidly moving to the West European levels.

TPP: Although your Prague office provides legal services in other fields as well, C&P singled out the practice's real estate expertise. Why do you primarily focus on this field? Do you think other law firms tend to underestimate services in this field?

EL: Salans' Prague office is also a top provider of services in other areas of law such as corporate, mergers and acquisitions, finance, arbitration and litigation and tax. I think that, historically, real estate was considered a 'local practice' and Salans is one of the firms to recognize that it is rather an international business. But some other international firms also recognize that.

TPP: How attractive is the Czech market for a provider of real estate legal services?

EL: The Czech market is small compared to [that of] Germany or Poland, but it is still a significant market in the region.

TPP: After EU enlargement in 2004, an influx of foreign investors in the real estate sector was expected, but it never happened. What do you think was the main reason?

EL: I disagree. There are more and more investment funds investing here that did not do business here before the Czech Republic joined the European Union in May 2004.

TPP: Many investors in this country have been complaining about the complicated legal system in this country, especially the tax system. What is the situation on the real estate market? What are the biggest obstacles that foreign investors need to face?

EL: Many laws relating to real estate and other investments could be better but the basic framework is here and investments can be made safely.

TPP: In contrast to other countries in the region, your Czech practice is the market leader in real estate practice. How different is real estate law and business here from other countries in the region?

EL: Well, our Polish practice is also top-rated, and had C&P checked out properly our Budapest and Bratislava practices, they would also be top-rated.

TPP: You are described by fellow lawyers as an 'aggressive lawyer in the New York style.' How different is real estate practice in New York from here and Europe in general?

EL: I think that Chambers mixed me up with Salans' other co-chair, Eric Rosedale, who is really a 'New York' lawyer. I'm originally a Philadelphia lawyer and Americans say that if you want to be successful in your business, you should hire a Philadelphia lawyer.

TPP: You have been described as an aggressive lawyer and Salans law firm as an aggressive practice. Does that mean aggression is key to success in your business?