Rankings

Rankings 2023 – Contents

 

Legal 500 EMEA 2023

Commercial, Corporate and M&A – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has established a stellar reputation for its advice on corporate and private equity transactional mandates; testament to this is the steady flow of instructions it receives from major domestic and international companies and funds, including Orange and Auchan. The firm's expertise covers multiple key industries, including telecoms, IT, pharmaceuticals and financial services, and clients benefit from strong support in ancillary areas such as capital markets, competition and tax. Florian Nițu, Bogdan C. Stoica, Silviu Stoica and Irina Ivanciu are all key senior contacts.

Dispute Resolution – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's highly regarded disputes practice has a strong handle on domestic and international disputes, with managing partner Florian Niţu particularly noted for his expertise in international arbitration and investment treaty disputes with a heavy energy and infrastructure element. In domestic litigation, the firm represents clients in a broad range of civil and administrative disputes, including property, labour, tax, IP, public procurement and shareholder claims. Litigation head Ciprian Dontu has a multifaceted practice with a strong grounding in insolvency disputes. Other key members include versatile litigator Ilinca Ștefănescu-Goangă, Raluca Petrescu, who is very active in construction disputes, and Vlad Neacșu, who regularly handles employment, energy and insurance claims.

Testimonials

'Very accurate analysis.'

'Comprehensive view over the topic and ability to use the best approaches to get maximum from the rationale used to defend the client's position.'

PPP and Procurement – Tier 1

Clients are impressed by the 'work ethics, dedication and quality of the interaction' at Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii, which has 'profound knowledge of the key issues' in public procurement and projects work. The cross-practice team acts for a broad portfolio of clients, including major construction companies and contractors, as well as project sponsors. The firm has good credentials across many project types, including road rehabilitation and construction, water and waste management, telecoms, healthcare, energy, environment and IT. On the corporate side, recent work has included assisting Orange France with a risk assessment of Telekom Romania's public procurement contracts as part of Orange's takeover. Practice head Florian Nitu stands out for his 'dedication and pragmatic approach'. Managing associate Ramona Pentilescu is another key team member.

Testimonials

'We had the opportunity to work together on several projects, both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic, so I have interacted on different occasions and with different members of their team. Besides the profound knowledge of the key issues and the commitment of the team members, I valued the work ethics, dedication and quality of the interaction.'

'Florian Nitu is one of the best business lawyers, his solid and profound knowledge of the legal issues is doubled by his dedication and pragmatic approach offering solutions to complex problems. Not to mention the erudition and the extraordinary work ethos.'

Real Estate and Construction – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is instructed by an impressive portfolio of clients, who dominate many corners of Romania's real estate market; these include major landowners and developers, domestic and international investment funds, banks, construction companies, and strategic and industrial investors. This span of clients ensures a broad range of work, including major financings, acquisitions and development projects, property and asset-based financings, and the creation of special purpose vehicles. On the development side, the firm is currently involved in seven mixed-use projects with an aggregate value of over €1.5bn. Florian Niţu oversees contentious and non-contentious real estate work, while Valentin Creața heads the development offering. Other names to note include corporate finance specialist Bogdan C. Stoica, development expert Ioana Șampek, and, for retail developments, Irina Ivanciu.

Testimonials

'The team of attorneys are well prepared, willing to investigate the case for proper advice. Involved and result-oriented, very good at obtaining results for their client.'

Restructuring and Insolvency – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a stellar track record representing creditors and debtors in major debt restructurings and insolvency proceedings. The firm has been particularly active on the trade creditor side, taking key roles in multiparty disputes across a range of industries, including energy, infrastructure, and financial services. Clients comment that the team 'has proven its outstanding quality by always being present and approachable'. Litigation head Ciprian Dontu is the key contact for contentious work, while on the advisory side managing partner Florian Niţu is commended for 'his oversight and capability to put things into perspective from various angles'. Ilinca Ștefănescu-Goangă also handles insolvency disputes, while Valentin Creața has a strong niche in real estate-related workouts.

Testimonials

'The team at PNSA has supported this company for several years now and has proven its outstanding quality by always being present and approachable, with the highest professionality and by not just reacting or waiting for input but by actively watching the client's interest, anticipating developments and preparing well considered positions ahead of time. This has greatly helped during the proceedings.'

'Particular attention is deserved by Florian Nițu for his client orientation, his oversight and capability to put things into perspective from various angles.'

Employment – Tier 2

The employment team at Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a longstanding list of clients comprising some of Romania's largest employers, including major companies operating in the agribusiness, energy, manufacturing and IT sectors. The cross-practice team works closely with colleagues in other departments to cover a range of related areas including tax, health and safety, and white-collar crime. The group also plays a key role advising on the employment aspects of major M&A deals. Other recent mandates have included representation in harassment claims disputes and internal investigations linked to whistleblowing complaints. Vlad Neacșu and managing associate Ioana Cazacu jointly lead the team.

Energy and Natural Resources – Tier 2

The energy sector is a core area of focus for Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii, which handles a broad spectrum of regulatory, transactional, project development and litigation issues. The firm has a notable track record for nuclear energy projects and has recently advised a large number of major European developers and investors into the Romanian renewables market, assisting with over 65 wind farm projects in recent years. On the regulatory and litigation front, highlights include representation of the Enel Group, among others, in energy tariff-related disputes with the National Energy Regulatory Authority. The team is jointly led by Florian Niţu and Vlad Neacșu. Ciprian Dontu is also active on the contentious front.

EU and Competition – Tier 2

At Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii, clients receive 'excellent legal and practical advice from well-trained competition law professionals'. Practice head Mihaela Ion is commended for her 'broad knowledge of EU and local competition legislation'. Clients instruct the firm at every stage of the competition journey, from day-to-day advice on compliance and distribution agreements, through to merger clearance and antitrust investigations, and any related challenges that might occur. Lately, the team has been active on matters linked to the IT, chemicals, leasing, manufacturing and automotive sectors.

Testimonials

'Excellent legal and practical advice from well-trained competition law professionals.'

'Mihaela Ion is a very experienced attorney with skillful and client-focused legal advice.'

'Mihaela Ion has a broad knowledge of EU and local competition legislation. Her advice is practical and well focused towards clients needs.'

TMT – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has extensive experience in the TMT field, with a strong selection of longstanding clients in the telecoms and technology sectors. High-end corporate support remains a major focus, with notable highlights including the firm's advice to Orange Group on its post-acquisition integration of the controlling stake in fixed operator Telekom Romania Communications. The team also has a notable track record in negotiating contractual partnerships and regulatory matters, and often appears before the authorities. Lead partners include Ernest-Virgil Popovici, Bogdan C. Stoica, Silviu Stoica and Mihaela Ion.

Banking and Finance – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a versatile banking and capital markets practice which assists banks, borrowers and fintechs with a broad range of transactional and regulatory issues. This includes support with syndicated loans, refinancings and white-collar crime issues, where practice co-head Alexandru Ambrozie has a particularly strong focus. The firm has also developed a good niche in asset leasing and finance, where it represents some of the market's largest leasing companies. Ambrozie's counterpart, Bogdan C. Stoica, has a notable track record assisting both bank and borrowers, and has lately been involved in several high-value financings in the energy and chemicals sectors.

Capital Markets – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii handles a broad mix of debt and equity capital markets matters. In addition to advising corporate clients on capital raising and equity incentive plans, the firm has an extremely good reputation for advising major investment funds; this latter specialism is reflected in the firm's client base, which includes some of the largest actors on the market, including Franklin Templeton Investment Management and Certinvest. Regulatory, compliance and corporate governance advice also features prominently on the agenda, and practice co-head Alexandru Ambrozie is highly experienced in related white-collar crime issues. Fellow co-head Bogdan C. Stoica has over 20 years' market experience.

Intellectual Property – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is noted for its 'very specialised expertise and aptitude to do world-class legal work'. The firm handles a wide range of trade mark, patent and copyright issues, and has developed a strong niche within the sports sector, where it assists the Romanian tennis player Simona Halep and the former footballer Gheorghe Hagi with image rights and other related issues. The firm has also been active on cases in the technology, life sciences, and telecoms sectors. Bogdan C. Stoica oversees the offering.

Testimonials

'Due to the fact that I worked solely with Bogdan C. Stoica, I can say that as a client I was impressed by how fast and efficiently him and his team work. I wanted to work with Bogdan knowing that this firm is the best in Romania. The quality of the work and the proficiency that his team possessed is unequalled.'

'Exquisite knowledge.'

'What this team really has is its very specialised expertise and aptitude to do world-class legal work. The team is a true multidisciplinary collaboration, more than the sum of the participating individuals' knowledge.'

Tax – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has an active tax advisory service which provides regular support to the firm's leading transactional department. This includes advice to domestic and international clients on standalone projects, such as M&A and group restructurings, as well as assistance with broader day-to-day commercial and operational issues. The team also works closely with the firm's litigators on direct and indirect tax disputes when required. Certified tax consultant Raluca Rusu leads the advisory team. Alexandru Ambrozie also has experience in this area.

TMT: Gambling Law – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has an experienced gambling and betting practice which is instructed by multiple leading companies active in the sector, including betting companies, shareholders, investors, payment processors and other B2B service providers. Work covers all stages of the licensing and regulatory journey, including day-to-day compliance issues and company registrations. The firm's active corporate practice is also on hand to advise shareholders and companies on related M&A matters and internal reorganisations. Bogdan C. Stoica heads the practice.

White-Collar Crime – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has a strong grounding in defence trials and also assists numerous multinationals with internal investigations. Cases with a strong tax, capital markets and public procurement angle regularly feature on the agenda, as do mandates linked to money laundering, bribery and the embezzlement of EU funds. Practice head Alexandru Ambrozie is also known for his capital markets work. Other key individuals include senior associate Ana Stoenescu, who advises on compliance and internal investigations.

Testimonials

'PNSA are very strong in white-collar crime cases. We have been working with them on a number of matters for around 3 years. They are responsive, knowledgeable and client-friendly. We have been working extremely successfully as a team for a big corporate client.'