Rankings

Rankings 2022 – Contents

 

Chambers Europe 2022

Real Estate – Band 1

What the team is known for
Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has an outstanding team with a particular focus on matters involving logistics assets, as well as commercial, residential and retail properties. The law firm offers noteworthy expertise to international and domestic developers, investors and commercial clients in real estate transactions, commercial lease agreements and construction projects. It additionally assists clients with the financing of projects.

Strengths
A client praises Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's "high level of expertise" and appreciates that the team is "business-oriented."

Another client enthuses that the firm's lawyers are "well organised."

Work highlights
Advised Auchan and One United Properties on the development of One Floreasca City, a large mixed-use project.

Notable practitioners
The "fantastic" Florian Nițu possesses extensive experience acting across a broad range of complex real estate mandates. He frequently advises developers on the leasing, development and forward sale and purchase of residential, retail and commercial projects.

Valentin Creata has notable expertise in transactions concerning logistics and commercial assets. He is additionally active in the development of various projects. A client reports that he is "very well prepared, he works very hard, and the result of his work is always of very high quality."

Corporate/M&A – Band 2

What the team is known for
Reputable firm with an established M&A practice representing a roster of Romanian companies. Able to handle transactions of all sizes ranging from high-value telecoms and retail 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
"On the M&A and finance side the team is great," affirms one happy client.

Work highlights
Assisted Orange Group with the purchase of a 54% controlling stake in Telekom Romania Communication, valued at EUR500 million.

Notable practitioners
Bogdan Constantin Stoica represents clients from the telecommunications sector and international investment funds in acquisitions and divestments. He is additionally well versed in handling sizable takeovers in the retail sector.

Florian Nițu has a solid track record of 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
Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații has a respected dispute resolution team that handles a range of corporate and civil disputes, as well as international arbitration and insolvency proceedings. The law firm has strength in the areas of public procurement, regulatory and planning disputes. The team is particularly active in the energy, infrastructure and construction sectors. The team represents clients in contractual litigation and shareholder disputes.

Work highlights
Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații assisted Medist with a series of litigations relating to public procurement amounting to EUR40 million.

Notable practitioners
Ciprian Dontu heads the practice and is recognised for his advice to energy companies on regulatory disputes, shareholder litigation and state aid cases. He is described by a client as being "very responsive and adaptive."

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. She regularly acts for clients within the construction, retail, agriculture and engineering industries. A client praises her "perfect strategy advice that is accurately provided at all times."

Competition/Antitrust – Band 3

What the team is known for
Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații defends clients in investigations into anti-competitive agreements, bid rigging and abuse of dominance. The law firm often assists clients with distribution agreements. It also handles merger control proceedings for Romanian retailers and international corporates, often from the financial services sector. The team further offers compliance support.

Work highlights
Advised SIVECO Romania on its challenge against a fine imposed by the RCC for alleged bid rigging.

Notable practitioners
Mihaela Ion offers a range of competition-related services, including assistance with merger clearance proceedings, as well as bid rigging and abuse of dominance allegations. One respondent values her ability to "deal with the most complex deals."

Employment – Band 3

What the team is known for
Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații has diverse expertise in Romanian employment law, regularly acting on collective negotiations and individual and mass termination disputes. The law firm is also knowledgeable in regulatory and working time compliance issues. Additionally, the team assists clients with salary-related disputes. It acts for both international and domestic clients on local and cross-border matters.

Strengths
A client describes Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații as "highly competent and trustworthy."

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".

Intellectual Property & TMT – Band 3

What the team is known for
Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații has a notable team that handles a broad range of mandates, including trade mark registration, software licensing and advertising agreements. The law firm also represents domestic and international clients in IP-related disputes. It advises on acquisitions in the telecoms industry, as well as assisting with IT procurement matters. It represents clients active in sport and logistics. It has additional expertise managing intellectual property portfolios for high-profile individuals.

Strengths
A respondent praises Popovici Nițu Stoica & Asociații's "high expertise in complex matters."

Work highlights
Assisted Greentek with the registration of trade marks for its new brand and with opposition to similar trade marks.

Notable practitioners
Key contacts for the department include Silviu Stoica.

Tax – Band 3

What the team is known for
Popovici Niţu Stoica & Asociaţii is a well-regarded tax practice with particular strength in the tax structuring of corporate and real estate transactions. The law firm advises on both direct and indirect taxation, and its experience includes corporate income tax and VAT. It acts for clients in the agriculture and real estate sectors, as well as for companies in the telecommunications sector. It also handles tax matters for high-profile individuals, including matters concerning issues of double taxation. It also represents clients in tax investigations and handles the tax aspects of liquidation procedures.

Strengths
A client lauds the lawyers for being "highly competent and trustworthy."

Work highlights
Advised Estoria Group on tax matters in relation to the sale of their retail land development to Mobexpert, Leroy Merlin, Kaufland and Lidl.

Notable practitioners
Raluca Rusu and Alexandru Ambrozie are key contacts for clients.

Banking & Finance – Band 4

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

Strengths
"The team is able to organise the work in a seamless manner," one client says.

Work highlights
Assisted Warehouses De Pauw Romania with the EUR150 million facilities made available by the EBRD with the purpose of financing the construction of sustainable certified green logistic centres in Romania.

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