Rankings

Rankings 2022 – Contents

 

Legal 500 EMEA 2022

Commercial, Corporate and M&A – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has one of the top M&A practices in the Romanian market, regularly winning roles on the country’s largest transactions. The firm acts for a wide mix of corporate blue-chips and private equity houses and is a referral favourite with major international law firms. Clients come from across a wide range of sectors, including telecoms, pharmaceuticals, retail and IT, and the firm’s depth of expertise in related areas such as capital markets, tax and competition ensures a one-stop-shop service. Lead partners include Florian Nițu, Bogdan C. Stoica (‘one of the best business lawyers in Romania’), and Silviu Stoica who ‘stands out through his pragmatic approach to negotiations’.

Testimonials

They stood out for their professional behaviour and a good and fast reaction to our requests.’

‘I noticed a good understanding and empathy in the relationship with the client, flexibility in approaching situations and a rich experience in the legal, financial and fiscal field.’

‘Good experience, pragmatic approach to negotiation, good understanding of SOP legal and fiscal implications and structures.’

‘Silviu Stoica stands out through his pragmatic approach to negotiations, experience in SOP structures and M&A transactions and the integration of fiscal advice in documentation.’

‘They have a lot of area of competence (M&A, competition, capital market).’

‘In terms of M&A I consider that Bogdan C. Stoica one of the best business lawyers in Romania. He has a lot of competences and always takes into consideration the interest of business of the clients.’

Dispute Resolution – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii offers a comprehensive range of disputes expertise to its domestic and international clients. Florian Nițu heads the international arbitration practice which has good experience of ICC and ICSID claims, with a particular focus on energy, natural resources and infrastructure-related claims. The versatile Ciprian Donțu ‘has a great overview’ of the cases he handles, including major insolvency and restructuring disputes. Ilinca Ștefănescu-Goangă leads on a broad spread of cases including tax, competition and public procurement. Clients appreciate the ‘determined’ team’s ‘stamina to sustain long disputes’ and ‘clear thinking, ability to prepare and stick to complex strategies’. Raluca Petrescu and Vlad Neacșu are also key team members.

Testimonials

‘Very good knowledge of the case and client. Determined, with stamina to sustain long disputes. Clear thinking, ability to prepare and stick to complex strategies. Business oriented – can put themselves in customer’s position and propose best possible solution in any given circumstance.’

‘Ciprian Dontu – has a great overview of all entrusted matters.’

PPP and Procurement – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a strong ‘knowledge and understanding’ of the market, and a good track record in guiding clients through the public procurement process. This extends to bids on major project finance and PPP concessions, where it represents a mix of domestic and international sponsors, and construction companies. Extensive knowledge of key industries, including energy, IT, transport, agriculture, health care and pharmaceuticals adds weight to the overall offering, which includes the full spread of relevant contentious and non-contentious support. Partner Florian Nițu has over 20 years’ experience in the market, and also represents public sector clients. Alexandru Ambrozie is another key contact.

Testimonials

‘Good knowledge of the way of dealing with Romanian people and administration. The budget was complied with.’

‘Good relationship with the partner in charge of the M&A project. Proactive and responsive.’

‘The firm has helped us in our bidding process. They have the knowledge and understanding of the requirements and applicable laws. The response of the team was also timely.’

Real Estate and Construction – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a deep pool of experienced real estate lawyers with a good grounding in complex acquisition and development projects. The practice covers several key areas, including land acquisition and development, construction, and structured and project finance. Contentious work also features prominently on the agenda, as well as advice on related insolvency proceedings. The versatile Florian Nițu handles both transactional and disputes matters, while Valentin Creața leads on the development side, including advice on retail, office, healthcare, logistics and residential projects. Other lead partners include M&A and banking co-head Bogdan C. Stoica, and the ‘very engaged and responsive’ Ioana Șampek.

Testimonials

‘Ioana Sampek – very engaged and responsive. Takes initiative.’

Restructuring and Insolvency – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a highly-rated multidisciplinary team with strong capabilities on both the contentious and non-contentious aspects of major insolvencies and restructurings. Experienced litigation head Ciprian Donțu leads the practice which regularly represents creditors and debtors across a wide range of industries. Insolvency processes in the real estate, energy and construction sectors have been a major feature of the firm’s work in recent years. Further contentious support is provided by partner Ilinca Ștefănescu-Goangă, while managing partner Florian Nițu is especially good on the non-contentious side. Valentin Creața has plenty of experience on healthcare and real estate-related restructurings.

Employment – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii provides ‘strong support and commitment’ on the full spectrum of employment matters. The team handles day-to-day consultancy issues through to related tax, health and safety, data protection and work-related white-collar crime. Recently the team advised on several high-profile collective redundancy procedures. The firm’s active corporate team also ensures a regular flow of strategic employment support on M&A deals and company reorganisations. Partner Vlad Neacșu co-heads the team alongside the ‘very thorough and patient’ managing associate Ioana Cazacu. Senior partners such as Florian Nițu also bring their ‘outstanding experience’ to larger mandates.

Testimonials

‘In the pandemic environment of the past year PNSA provided personal legal advice at the highest standards not only on labour and employment; with most of the employees working from home we were advised also on data protection and data security issues. Their experience expertly applied was the key in our company’s reorganization process. The virtual meeting technology used was flawless, no barrier in communication; we could feel the team’s strong support and commitment. And this was unparalleled.’

‘Our main contact is Florian Nitu. Besides the profound knowledge in all areas and his outstanding experience what makes Florian unique is his special feeling for the client concerns and his strong commitment.’

‘Individual treatment, very thorough investigation of background.’

‘Ioana Cazacu – very thorough and patient.’

Energy and Natural Resources – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii represents a broad mix of investors, developers and suppliers, and has particularly good expertise in the power sector. The team’s range of experience covers M&A, projects, regulatory and competition matters. Recently the firm, which is noted for its market ‘knowledge and understanding’, has been involved in several high-profile disputes with Romania’s energy regulator ANRE, some of which have gone to a European level. The practice also has strong credentials in renewable power projects and acquisitions, including solar and hydro. Versatile partners Florian Nițu and Vlad Neacșu jointly lead the team.

Testimonials

‘The firm has helped us in our bidding process. They have the knowledge and understanding of the requirements and applicable laws. The response of the team was also timely.’

Tax – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii will miss its longstanding practice head Mihaela Pohaci, who retired in late 2020. She has been replaced at the helm by Raluca Rusu, a certified tax consultant with over 15 years’ experience. The firm continues on a strong path, and is especially active on non-contentious matters. The team provides support to the corporate practice on structuring company reorganisations and acquisition. In recent years it has been particularly busy on the commercial real estate side, both with development and investment projects. Partner Alexandru Ambrozie also has experience of tax matters and the intersection with white-collar crime.

TMT: Gambling Law – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii advises several major online and offline gaming and betting companies. Service companies also feature prominently on the firm’s client list, including software operators, payment processors and other suppliers to the gambling industry. The full-service practice is experienced in the licensing process, as well as regulatory compliance issues, and broader corporate and commercial matters. Bogdan C. Stoica is the main partner contact.

TMT – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a good track record advising major telecoms and IT companies on a wide range of issues. The firm is especially strong on the transactional front and has been involved in several high-profile M&As within the sector in the past year. This is in addition to strategic corporate advice on business and product launches, as well as support on procurement contracts, both to suppliers and customers. Partners such as Ernest-Virgil Popovici, Silviu Stoica and Mihaela Ion are active on corporate matters. Florian Nițu and Alexandru Ambrozie are the two main contacts on the public procurement front.

Banking and Finance – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a solid finance practice offering a wide range of expertise. This includes corporate and retail lending, as well as fintech related advice to payments companies and financial institutions. A large portion of the work is borrower-led, but the lawyers also have strong regulatory capabilities, and the firm has advised several international banks on this front. The practice is jointly led by versatile partners Alexandru Ambrozie and Bogdan C. Stoica.

Capital Markets – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is particularly experienced in advising corporate issuers. In the past year the firm has advised corporate clients on several high value capital raisings as well as the introduction of new employee share schemes. The team is also popular with alternative investment funds, such as Franklin Templeton Investment Management, who regularly instruct the firm on compliance and regulatory issues, including licensing and authorisation matters. Alexandru Ambrozie and Bogdan C. Stoica are the two main contacts.

EU and Competition – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is noted for its collaborative and ‘very successful’ approach to antitrust and competition matters. The firm’s active transactional ensures a ready flow of merger clearance mandates. This is coupled with strong support on contentious proceedings, including major cartel investigations and abuse of dominance claims. Clients come from a broad range of industries, including retail, IT, life sciences, manufacturing and financial services. Mihaela Ion leads the well-regarded team, which also provides regular advice on internal compliance programs, particularly in relation to supplier and distributor agreements.

Testimonials

‘They are close to the people/clients, trying to understand the real needs of their clients and to provide them the best advice and recommendations money can buy - Mihaela Ion, Laura Ambrozie, Vanessa Nistor.’

‘Very good collaboration and successful approach.’

‘Special mention for the good collaboration with Mihaela Ion.’

Intellectual Property – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has good experience of trade mark, patent, and copyright matters, including those with a cross-border element. The team represents clients from across a wide range of industries, including telecoms, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and sport, and has a particularly strong focus on the software sector where it regularly assists with licensing and development agreements. The firm’s market-leading corporate team also ensures a large flow of IP-related due diligence mandates. The versatile Bogdan C. Stoica leads the team.

White-Collar Crime – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii’s white collar crime team is led by the versatile Alexandru Ambrozie who also co-heads the firm’s banking, capital markets and tax practices. The practice regularly assists its domestic and international clients in defending and mitigating claims on a range of related issues, including tax evasion, money laundering and the embezzlement of EU funds. This includes close work with other departments within the firm on associated financial services, public procurement and tax issues. Litigation managing associate Alexandru Nicolae and the ‘hard working and always helpful’ senior associate Ana Stoenescu are also active in this area.

Testimonials

‘Alexandru Ambrozie is efficient, easy to work with, client friendly and gives straightforward advice. Ana Stoenescu is hard working and always helpful.’