On the wave of change in energy and real estate investments: Introducing our new Partner Alisa Montonen

Alisa Montonen

Attorney-at-Law Alisa Montonen was appointed as Partner at Lieke, effective as of 1 September 2025. Alisa has been part of Lieke’s team since 2021, and her special expertise covers the energy and infrastructure sectors as well as real estate investments and construction law. What draws Alisa to these fields, and what kind of assignments bear her mark?

From wind power enthusiast to Partner at Lieke

Like many career paths, Alisa’s journey began somewhat by chance: “I landed my first job by chance while studying law and looking for an internship. During my first internship, I discovered a genuine interest in wind power, which inspired me to focus both my studies and work on wind power and the broader energy sector.”

Alisa has been involved in real estate and energy matters since her internship days, where she gained valuable insights into environmental and real estate law from various perspectives. Over the years, Alisa has deepened her expertise in the legal dimensions of the energy and infrastructure sectors, construction, and real estate investments, and has found her work to be consistently intriguing. “I’m naturally curious about new things, and the more I explore a topic, the more I realise how much there still is to learn. That, in turn, fuels my curiosity to continue exploring.”

After graduating, Alisa spent several years working mainly on real estate transactions at another leading law firm. During this time, she also completed a secondment at an asset management company, which gave her valuable insight into the underlying business perspective. During her secondment, Alisa realised her true calling lies in providing legal advice. “At a law firm, I get to discuss and tackle legal issues with fellow lawyers daily, and I particularly enjoy the challenge of making even the most intricate regulations understandable for our clients. I find it inspiring to work with my colleagues in this way.”

In addition to gaining experience in real estate transactions, Alisa gradually developed a growing interest in project development related issues. She chose Lieke as her workplace due to its strong focus on projects and construction. “I wanted to deepen my understanding of environmental, project development, and construction-related themes. At Lieke, I’ve especially focused on developing our early-stage project development services and integrating a real estate investment perspective into our services. At the same time, we have expanded our range of transaction and financing-related services, among other things,” Alisa explains.

The idea of becoming a partner emerged naturally, as Lieke felt like the right place at the right time. “As a partner, I can take greater ownership of my work and shape service concepts that align with my interests. There was a perfect opportunity in Lieke’s growth story for this step, and it’s rewarding to be part of a team where I feel at home and truly enjoy working.”

Concrete and creative legal work in regulated industries

Alisa regularly advises clients on matters related to land acquisition, planning, and regulatory processes, and handles various contract negotiations and appeal processes. She also has extensive experience in sector-specific legislation concerning the energy industry, real estate, and construction, as well as in the implementation of corporate restructuring processes in these industries and in real estate asset management consulting.

Alisa is a member of the Finnish Bar Association’s Expert Teams on Environmental Law, and Property and Construction Law, as well as a member of the Renewables Finland’s offshore wind committee.

What inspires you about real estate and energy projects and their regulation?

“I am fascinated by tangible, visible outcomes. A wind power project, for example, results in a real wind farm that generates energy. The energy transition and shift toward new energy sources have made my work even more meaningful.

I’m a bit of a legal nerd: I enjoy working in regulated industries where I can navigate complex regulatory frameworks and apply them to our clients’ specific projects. Real estate and environmental law are incredibly versatile; the same legal frameworks can be adapted to a wide range of scenarios. For example, a building permit appeal may concern a new development in central Helsinki or a solar power site. Creativity is also essential, especially in new projects where we often face novel legal challenges. We need to think innovatively about how to apply existing regulations in new ways. However, my work is not just about interpreting legal clauses. It’s also about agreements, which often allow room for innovation of new structures and practices. Understanding the underlying legislation is key to ensuring that contracts are both legally sound and tailored to support the project’s goals. This is particularly relevant now in areas like electricity markets and grid access.”

Industries in transition – interfaces are blurring

If you had to name one memorable assignment at Lieke, what would it be? “One recent highlight has been the Power to Gas project with Tampere Energy. It involved interesting legal questions around excess heat, issues that also arise in data centre projects, for example. I also find the daily legal project development issues inspiring when I can help a client move forward from a difficult situation.”

How does the combination of the real estate and construction sectors and the energy and infrastructure sectors intersect in your daily work? “The sectors represented on my desk are deeply interconnected through the applicable legal frameworks. Every project also involves key stakeholders, such as landowners, tenants, users, authorities, and various other partners. As a lawyer, it’s essential to understand each party’s perspective while keeping the client’s objectives and the broader context in focus.”

What does the future hold for these industries?

”The energy transition is reshaping the future of these sectors. The real estate industry is also evolving as a result: actors both in energy and real estate are increasingly facing similar challenges. Actors are exploring how data centre solutions, decentralised energy production and its utilisation in new ways, as well as hybrid models, could serve their businesses, or how they could utilise their own expertise to accommodate these emerging dynamics. These industries are constantly discovering new points of connection and innovative solutions, offering valuable lessons along the way.”

Advice for aspiring lawyers

What advice does Alisa have for young professionals? “First, focus on what genuinely interests you. Second, pursue what feels meaningful to you – for as long as it feels right to you. Investing in things you enjoy and that align with who you are will take you far, both professionally and personally.”

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