Rankings

Rankings 2021 – Contents

 

Chambers Europe 2021

Real Estate – Band 1

What the team is known for
Outstanding team with a particular focus on matters involving logistics assets, as well as commercial and retail properties. Offers noteworthy expertise to international and domestic developers, investors and commercial clients in real estate transactions, commercial lease agreements and construction projects. Additionally assists clients with portfolio management.

Strengths
A client enthuses that the team's "approach and involvement make it one of the best companies in the country".

Another client highlights that it is "rare to find a law firm with such high standards in customer care".

Work highlights
Assisted Warehouses De Pauw with its acquisition of the Aquila, Dunca and Craiova logistics centres.

Notable practitioners
The highly acclaimed Florian Nițu advises on a number of significant real estate transactions, as well as a range of other real estate matters, including lease agreements and development projects. An interviewee describes him as "an excellent lawyer" and highlights that he "takes a personal role" in matters.

Valentin Creata is noted by market commentators for his "hands-on" involvement in important transactions in the logistics, office and residential sectors. In addition, he assists clients with development projects.

Corporate/M&A – Band 2

What the team is known for
Reputable firm with an established M&A practice active representing a roster of Romanian companies. Able to handle transactions of all sizes ranging from high-value energy sector transactions through to smaller deals on behalf of domestic entrepreneurs. Assists foreign banks and investors with transactions involving local targets, as well as advising technology companies on their entry into the Romanian market. Also shows expertise in private equity matters.

Strengths
"The entire team we collaborated with showed seriousness and extensive knowledge of their areas of expertise", one client affirms.

Interviewees also point out the team's "problem-solving philosophy, combined with a humble attitude and a very consistent technical argumentation and case building".

Work highlights
Assisted BRD Groupe Société Générale with a co-investment in CIT One, alongside Raiffeisen Bank and BCR.

Notable practitioners
Bogdan Constantin Stoica represents clients from the pharmaceutical and telecommunications sectors, as well as investment funds, in acquisitions and divestments. Clients very much appreciate Stoica's "open and direct communication skills," with one of them adding: "He is an experienced lawyer, with a very constructive approach during the project, always having in mind to find solutions leading to the main result of the project".

Florian Nițu has a solid track record handling M&A transactions in the real estate sector. He offers additional expertise in private equity mandates.

Dispute Resolution – Band 2

What the team is known for
Handles a range of corporate and civil disputes, as well as international arbitration and insolvency proceedings. Areas of strength include public procurement, regulatory and planning disputes. Particularly active in the energy, infrastructure and construction sectors. Additionally represents clients in contractual litigation and shareholder disputes.

Strengths
Clients appreciate the team's service, with one highlighting in particular the lawyers' "availability and good strategic advice".

Another client's opinion is that the practice is "the best firm we have worked with" in the field of dispute resolution.

Work highlights
Represented ARACO and some of its members in two disputes against the National Public Procurement Agency regarding regulations about the adjustment of contract prices.

Notable practitioners
Ciprian Dontu is recognised for his advice to energy companies on regulatory disputes, shareholder litigation and state aid cases. A satisfied client describes him as "determined and willing to innovate".

Raluca Petrescu is well reputed for her strong experience in public procurement and contractual arbitration before the ICC and the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Petrescu regularly acts for clients within the construction, retail, agriculture and engineering industries.

 

Intellectual Property & TMT – Band 2

What the team is known for
Notable team handling a broad range of mandates, including trademarks, licensing and copyright issues. Also represents domestic and international clients in IP-related disputes. Advises on mergers and acquisitions in the telecoms industry, as well as assisting with IT procurement and data protection matters. Represents clients active in sport and distribution. Additional expertise managing a variety of intellectual property portfolios for clients from the software sector.

Strengths
One client lauds the team for being "very knowledgeable".

Work highlights
Advised Orange Romania on the development of its TV service, including the negotiation of retransmission and distribution agreements and regulatory compliance matters.

Notable practitioners
Key contacts for the department include Ernest-Virgil Popovici.

Competition/Antitrust – Band 3

What the team is known for
Defends clients in investigations into anti-competitive agreements, bid rigging and abuse of dominance. Often assists clients with market inquiries. Also handles merger control proceedings for Romanian retailers and international corporates from the financial services sector. Further offers compliance support.

Work highlights
Represented Hewlett Packard in an investigation into alleged abuse of dominance.

Notable practitioners
Mihaela Ion has a broad competition practice representing domestic and multinational clients in a range of antitrust investigations and sector inquiries, as well as assisting clients with obtaining competition clearance for M&A transactions. One interviewee reports that "she has good arguments".

Employment – Band 3

What the team is known for
Diverse expertise in Romanian employment law, regularly acting on collective negotiations and termination disputes. Also knowledgeable in regulatory and compliance issues. Additionally assists clients involved in mergers and acquisitions with the related employment issues. Acts for both international and domestic clients on local and cross-border matters.

Strengths
Clients cite the team's meticulousness, one asserting that "the recommendations received and the documents prepared were based on careful and substantiated analysis".

Another rates the team for its user-friendly manner, enthusing that "it is very pleasant working with them".

Work highlights
Assisted AkzoNobel with a compliance review of working times from a Romanian and EU law perspective.

Notable practitioners
Ioana Cazacu advises on an array of employment mandates, with expertise in terminations and working-time matters. She is praised for her reactivity, with one client recommending her for "making quick connections and thinking creatively," before going on to add: "She is always coming up with a solution".

Tax – Band 3

What the team is known for
Well-regarded tax practice with particular strength in the tax structuring of corporate and real estate transactions. Advises on both direct and indirect taxation, and experience includes income tax and VAT. Acts for clients in the agriculture and real estate sectors, as well as for investment funds. Also handles tax matters for high-profile individuals, including the taxation of non-residents. Also represents clients in tax investigations and appeals against tax audits.

Strengths
One client appreciates that the group is "very dedicated to the client" and is "very dedicated to finding solutions".

Work highlights
Acted for Oresa on the tax aspects of its sale of RTC Proffice Experience.

Notable practitioners
Mihaela Pohaci frequently assists clients with the tax aspects of corporate and real estate transactions, including advising international clients on investments in Romania. Pohaci also represents clients in tax audits. One client notes: "She has a huge amount of experience and knows a lot".

Banking & Finance – Band 4

What the team is known for
Reputable local team particularly active in regulatory matters involving fintech, blockchain and cryptocurrency. Assists borrowers and lenders with corporate finance and project finance, as well as refinancing mandates.

Strengths
A client reports that the team is "very fast in decision-making and has a practical approach".

Work highlights
Assisted CLN Group with three financings, totalling EUR134 million.

Notable practitioners
Department co-head Alexandru Ambrozie is a key contact for clients.