Rankings

Contents

 

Rankings 2016

Legal 500 EMEA 2016

Commercial, Corporate and
M&A – Tier 1

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații acts for buyers and sellers on some of Romania’s largest M&A deals. Florian Nițu is ‘very experienced and creative in sophisticated transactions’, and recently advised Ferro Corporation on the Romanian aspects of its purchase of the Nubiola group. Bogdan Stoica advised Auchan on its €280m acquisition of 12 hypermarkets.”

PPP and Procurement – Tier 1

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații’s procurement team, led by Alexandru Ambrozie, assists both bidders and public authorities in relation to tender processes, procurement litigation and arbitration. It advised the Ministry of Transport on three motorway projects, including successfully representing it in a dispute with Astaldi regarding the Cernavodă-Constanța project. Other clients include Hewlett-Packard and Arup.”

Real Estate and Construction – Tier 1

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații is ‘a very professional and client-oriented firm’, providing ‘high-level services all the time’. Bogdan Stoica advised Adeo Group, the owner of Leroy Merlin, on its purchase of 15 bauMax stores and six plots of land. Valentin Creața, ‘an efficient negotiator for construction projects’, advised Immofinanz on its purchase of a 50% interest in the Băneasa residential project. ‘Innovative real estate lawyer’ Florian Nițu leads the team.”

Restructuring and Insolvency – Tier 1

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații’s Ciprian Donțu ‘always challenges the status quo’. He is representing Fondul Proprietatea as a key shareholder and creditor of Hidroelectrica. Ilinca Ştefănescu-Goangă advises KBC Bank Ireland as a major creditor of Bel Rom Patru.”

Banking, Finance and Capital Markets – Tier 2

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații provides ‘pragmatic answers’ in the capital markets arena. Alexandru Ambrozie, who advises Franklin Templeton on its Fondul Proprietatea responsibilities, is ‘highly competent in corporate finance and capital markets, and very experienced in international deals’. He advised Radisson Blue and its shareholders on a share buyback as part of the dissolution of the RASDAQ. Bogdan Stoica advised Ameropa Holding on taking a CHF150m bridging loan.”

Dispute Resolution – Tier 2

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații’s areas of practice include construction arbitration, and insolvency and public procurement litigation, and it represents Fondul Proprietatea, and companies in which it owns shares, in a range of disputes. Ciprian Donțu is ‘a brilliant and passionate litigation lawyer’, and Ilinca Ştefănescu-Goangă is ‘an outstanding claim manager’.”

Energy and Natural Resources – Tier 2

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații’s ‘very professional, helpful, responsible and flexible’ team ‘knows the energy industry very well’. Vlad Neacşu advised Nuclearelectrica on its planned purchase of Enel’s six Romanian subsidiaries. A particular area of focus for the team is energy litigation, where Ciprian Donțu represents Fondul Proprietatea.”

Intellectual Property – Tier 2

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații’s IP practice primarily advises on trade marks, but also undertakes copyright work. Recently promoted partner Cristian Popescu advises tennis star Simona Halep on trade mark registration and sponsorship contracts. Ernest-Vigil Popovici advised Orange on the use of music as ringtones.”

TMT – Tier 2

“Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații advises on telecoms, digital procurement, software ownership disputes, and M&A involving digital assets. Ernest-Virgil Popovici assists Orange on data protection matters.”

 

IFLR 1000 2016

Review

Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații is best known for its corporate and M&A practice where it is a market leader. The firm's finance practice is also well regarded.

A TMT client who the team advised on competition and M&A matters says: “We are very impressed and happy with their services. Their lawyers are always responsive, hard-working, and often offer valuable business solutions in addition to the sound legal advice. They have a strong multi-competency team but in the few instances when our needs go beyond their scope they make competent recommendations for international counsel.”

A bank client who worked with the team on finance matters says: "Clear and detailed legal opinions, short time response, very good feedback and follow up of their engagements. Excellent communication with their team and a good reporting of cost. We rank as high quality the services provided by these law firm.”

An asset management client who the team advised on capital markets and M&A matters says: “I was very comfortable with the lawyers from Popovici Nitu because they have a very good reputation in Romania and they know very well the legal framework for M&A and the capital market also.

Florian Nițu is singled out for individual praise: “Florian Nițu is a key figure of the local law landscape and has always been a loyal, wise and a brilliantly competent partner,” says one client. Alexandru Ambrozie is also referenced: “Very detailed and on time legal opinion. Strong commitment to fulfil the engagement requested by us and this is backed by excellent communication with the team allocated to the engagement.”

In the project finance area, one of the firm's key projects saw Irena Tudorie act for the Romanian transport ministry on the procurement process related to three key motorways in Romania (Timisoara – Lugoj, Nadlac Arad and Cernavoda – Constanta).

In the capital markets Ambrozie and Stoica acted for Radisson Blue Romania and Voestalpine VAE respectively on their delistings from the Bucharest exchange in the case of Voestalpin and the now defunct Rasdaq exchange in the case of Radisson.

In M&A, just some of the firm's highlights include work by Stoica for Auchan on its acquisition of 12 retail centres located across Romania. In a similar matter Stoica acted for Adeo on the acquisition by its subsidiary Leroy Merlin of the Romanian operations of Baumax, which includes a number of DIY stores. Elsewhere Florian Nițu led as the team acted for Ferro Corporation on the Romanian aspects of its global acquisition of Nubiola Group; while Vlad Neacșu acted for Certinvest and SIF Transilvania on the former's acquisition of the life insurance business of AXA in Romania.

Rankings

M&A – Tier 1

Capital markets – Tier 2

Energy and infrastructure – Tier 2

Project finance – Tier 2

Banking – Tier 3

 

Chambers Europe 2016

Real Estate – Band 1

Top-rated advice for investment funds and banks on real estate tax and project finance. Highly regarded in the field of asset management, and acting on the full process of property construction developments. Acts for leading clients on purchases and sales, particularly for office, retail and residential projects.

“This team is just great. Perfect delivery, always timely, and copes well with new commercial matters. Combines technical skills with a very good handle on local legal intricacies.”

“Our impression is excellent in all aspects. The firm provides the highest standards of advice in all of our projects.”

Practice head Florian Nițu is a leader in the field of Romanian real estate. Enthusiastic clients describe him as “a pleasure to deal with, with a practical and pragmatic approach to discussions.”

Corporate/M&A – Band 2

Focused advice on private sector and FDI mandates, with activity across such industries as IT, pharmaceuticals and retail. Strong on property-related mandates and highly active assisting international private equity investors with their Romanian transactions.

“The lawyers are very proactive and client-oriented, so we never have to push them.”

“The firm has a unique mix of market experience, cutting-edge knowledge and business awareness.”

Florian Nițu has an exceptional reputation for transactional work in Romania, with clients commenting: “He is amongst the best M&A lawyers in Romania – very creative, with top expertise in truly sophisticated investment models.” Others add: “He is brilliant - not a classic lawyer, but one who looks at the business side of things and points out the risks for us as a client.” He has extensive experience across all aspects of Romanian and international M&A.

Bogdan Constantin Stoica is a well regarded M&A lawyer on the market, who recently acted for the founding shareholders of Fleet Management Services on its sale to Business Lease.

Silviu Stoica primarily advises investment funds and US corporations on inbound M&A transactions into Romania. Lately, this included acting for Oresa Ventures on the acquisition of 49% of Romanian Business Consult.

Employment – Band 2
Diverse expertise in Romanian employment law, regularly acting on such matters as transfer of business, reorganisation, reviews of company law and pension conditions, as well as regulatory and compliance issues. Experience of advising clients in the IT, retail, transport and energy sectors.

“We have a great collaboration – the lawyers always have a very prompt reply to our requests and they solve everything quickly.”

“We were very satisfied by the lawyers' openness and proactive approach. They offer complex and complete answers.”

Vlad Neacșu is a respected lawyer with experience in a variety of issues in the Romanian labour market. He is particularly active for clients requiring advice on business transfer and disciplinary matters, as well as other complex mandates. He recently advised Leroy Merlin on the employment aspects of the integration of 15 stores purchased from bauMax.

Tax – Band 2

Offers a fully integrated service covering all areas of contentious and non-contentious tax, including advice on substantial M&A transactions, and litigation cases involving the Romanian authorities. Experience of direct and indirect tax issues in a variety of sectors, including retail, agriculture and real estate.

Tax consultant Mihaela Pohaci is broadly appreciated for her expertise regarding transactional tax advice, particularly acting on international tax issues. Her recent experience includes advising Eurofins on the Romanian tax aspects of its acquisition of EVIC.

TMT – Band 2
Well-rounded expertise across the TMT sector, including regulatory issues. Significant involvement in IT procurement matters, as well as regular activity in media and technology-related disputes.

“The lawyers are very responsive and easy to communicate with, with almost 24/7 availability.”

Banking & Finance – Band 3

Significant practice advising international leasing companies on cross-border financing mandates, as well as foreign and local banks. Knowledgeable about finance matters in such sectors as construction, real estate, agribusiness and pharmaceuticals.

“The time response on any issue is very quick. The team reaches your expectation by working to achieve it in a speedy manner.”

Competition/Antitrust – Band 3

Significant involvement with competition investigations and compliance programmes. Offers competition advice to a range of household name clients, particularly those in the IT, pharmaceutical and retail industries.

“The lawyers here manage to solve everything and reply very quickly.”

Sources praise Mihaela Ion for being "extremely dedicated to clients in her work." She is increasingly recognised in the competition market for assisting a variety of clients with competition issues, particularly council investigations. She has recently acted for Ameropa Holding on an ongoing Competition Council investigation into an alleged price fixing cartel.

Silviu Stoica is a widely respected lawyer who combines his competition and corporate expertise to advise clients on merger control procedures with his activity on antitrust investigations and state aid matters.

Dispute Resolution – Band 3

Recognisable dispute resolution presence, active across commercial and corporate litigation, and international arbitration. Particularly noted for work on matters concerning employment, competition and bankruptcy proceedings, and cases in the property sector.

Ciprian Donțu is the firm's litigation head, notably advising on high-end insolvency disputes. Clients consider him an "extraordinary manager" of commercial litigation claims.

Energy & Natural Resources – Band 3

Widely admired domestic firm offering a range of energy services, particularly in energy-related litigation and competition issues. Highly experienced in transactional, financial, construction and regulatory matters. Expertise spans nuclear, hydropower, wind and natural resources mandates.

Projects – Band 3

Well-regarded Romanian firm with broad knowledge across a variety of projects involving domestic and international clients. Significant involvement in infrastructure, technology and utilities matters, notably acting on public procurement and compliance issues.

“A very good, knowledgeable team, which is commercial and solution-oriented.”

Ramona Pentilescu is well respected for her public procurement expertise, and comes described as an "excellent professional, who specialised in this area of practice for both pre-litigious and contentious aspects."

 

Chambers Global 2016

Corporate/M&A – Band 2

Florian Nițu has an exceptional reputation for transactional work in Romania, with clients commenting: “He is amongst the best M&A lawyers in Romania - very creative, with top expertise in truly sophisticated investment models.” Others add: “He is brilliant - not a classic lawyer, but one who looks at the business side of things and points out the risks for us as a client.” He has extensive experience across all aspects of Romanian and international M&A.

Bogdan Constantin Stoica is a well regarded M&A lawyer on the market, who recently acted for the founding shareholders of Fleet Management Services on its sale to Business Lease.

Silviu Stoica primarily advises investment funds and US corporations on inbound M&A transactions into Romania. Lately, this included acting for Oresa Ventures on the acquisition of 49% of Romanian Business Consult.

Banking & Finance – Band 3

Significant practice advising international leasing companies on cross-border financing mandates, as well as activity advising foreign and local banks. Alexandru Ambrozie and Bogdan C. Stoica are the main contacts for the banking and finance team.

Dispute Resolution – Band 3

Ciprian Donțu is the firm's litigation head, notably advising on high-end insolvency disputes. Clients consider him an “extraordinary manager” of commercial litigation claims.