Rankings

Rankings 2024 – Contents

 

Legal 500 EMEA 2024

Commercial, Corporate and M&A – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is highly regarded for its corporate and transactional expertise. The practice is recognised for its 'breadth of experience in M&A advisory', and the group is frequently instructed in high-profile mergers. The team has been kept especially busy assisting private equity investors with corporate matters. The 'commercially astute and pragmatic' Bogdan C. Stoica co-heads the practice with managing partner Florian Nițu and Silviu Stoica, an expert in M&A and counsel to several blue-chip US clients. Managing associate Vlad Ambrozie and Partner Irina Ivanciu, who brings experience in real estate-related transactions, are singled out for their contributions.

Testimonials

'The team led by Bogdan C. Stoica is excellent. They are very experienced, knowledgeable in Romanian law, and take a very commercial and pragmatic approach.'

'Bogdan C. Stoica is highly commercially astute and pragmatic. Not just a lawyer but a top-rate counselor and trouble-shooter. Recommend him very highly.'

'A breadth of experience in M&A advisory, with valuable insights, clear mark-ups on transaction docs, as well as a round the clock availability which was very important in the tight timeframe we had for our transaction.'

'Availability, confidence, expertise.'

'Silviu Stoica is a very responsive partner who looks at all the details of the transaction.'

'Vlad Ambrozie was super helpful in the coordination of the transaction with a deep knowledge of the client's industry and needs.'

Dispute Resolution – Tier 1

Dispute resolution is a key focus for Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii, which is widely recognised for its extensive expertise in contentious matters. The team's workload includes corporate and regulatory disputes, commercial claims, and contentious real estate and construction matters, however the group is equally adept at handling alternative dispute resolution and arbitration cases. Ciprian Donțu has an excellent track record in acting for multinational companies, financial institutions and individuals. Ilinca Ștefănescu-Goangă's workload includes civil and commercial disputes, and contentious real estate, tax, competition, public procurement and shipping cases. Florian Nițu leads the international arbitration group. At managing associate level, Bianca Chiurtu brings experience in handling tax and administrative disputes, while Partner Camelia Patrascu focuses on real estate infrastructure matters.

PPP and Procurement – Tier 1

The PPP and procurement group at Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii works closely with the firm's concessions, infrastructure and project finance offerings to support clients ranging from large entrepreneurs and construction companies to corporate entities across the energy, environment, IT, healthcare, and agriculture sectors. The development and implementation of national projects involving road rehabilitation, construction and utilities is the team's key area of strength; clients also praise the team's ability to work internationally. Practice head Florian Nițu is supported by the 'technically impeccable' Ramona Pentilescu and Diana Dobra, who is noted for her experience in EU law.

Testimonials

'We use PNSA in Romania but have used them as lead counsel working with partners in other EU or non-EU countries in relation to public projects, such as in Malta, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the UK. Their role is full scope: including regulatory advice, bid assistance, bid defense, procurement award support and challenges, litigation in public procurement, contract negotiation and contract implementation.'

'Florian Nitu, Ramona Pentilescu, and Diana Dobra form the core team we retain in procurement matters. Ramona is technically impeccable, with huge experience in the public sector. Diana Dobra is capable of handling very sophisticated EU procurement law and practice issues.'

Real Estate and Construction – Tier 1

'The Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii team is very strong in the Romanian real estate and construction market', operating as 8 sub-teams within real estate to cover land acquisition and development; project development and construction management; real estate investment; project finance and asset-based finance; real estate operation; real estate asset resolution; property disputes; and special projects. Florian Nițu heads the firm's real estate, M&A and arbitration practices; head of the real estate development group Valentin Creața excels at matters involving retail shopping centres, office buildings, healthcare, logistics and residential projects. Bogdan C. Stoica brings M&A and finance experience to related real estate projects; Ioana Șampek specialises in the acquisition, development and operation of office and industrial buildings.

Testimonials

'The Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii team is extremely involved and dedicated to the requested legal activity, regardless of its value. The professionalism they demonstrate is at the highest levels.'

'We have been working with Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii for almost 5 years and we can say that we are very pleased with the way of working and collaborating with Florian Nitu, Ela Marin and Bogdan C. Stoica. Their willingness to make an effort, professionalism and knowledge set them apart from other law firms.'

'Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii represent the ideal lawyers for this field of activity – real estate. The level of professionalism is very high, as is the seriousness and safety with which they treat us in all situations.'

'We were happy to have Florian Nitu, Ela Marin and Ana-Maria Popa and are impressed by their professionalism and the high level of continuous training.'

'The Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii team is very strong in the Romanian real estate and construction market and they provide very client-oriented services.'

Restructuring and Insolvency – Tier 1

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is a top choice for representing domestic and international clients in insolvency and restructuring proceedings. Insolvency litigation forms a key pillar of the practice, with litigator Ciprian Donțu often appearing in court proceedings pertaining to insolvency issues. Dontu jointly heads the team with managing partner Florian Nițu, who has extensive expertise in advising on corporate restructurings, and Valentin Creața, who regularly advises healthcare and real estate entities on reorganisations. Ilinca Ștefănescu-Goangă is a name to note for contentious insolvency matters.

Testimonials

'Prompt and stable support, consistent team, reliable advice with strong commercial understanding.'

Employment – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's employment team handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters and frequently collaborates with the firm's wider M&A, tax and litigation teams to support clients in industries from insurance to healthcare technology and manufacturing. Its expertise spans day-to-day consultancy and involvement in complex employment matters arising out of M&A transactions, including the handling of employee complaints, collective labour agreements, and disciplinary investigations. The team is co-led by Vlad Neacșu, who has particular experience regarding employee restructuring, and Ioana Cazacu.

Testimonials

'The team's support was provided in a timely manner.'

'Personal approach tailored to our needs. Team is very familiar with our internal processes and can provide solid legal advice also on very short notice.'

Energy and Natural Resources – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's energy and natural resources team handles regulatory, M&A, disputes and competition matters across the energy sector, with particular strength in nuclear projects. Disputes with regulatory bodies are an area in which the team has notable experience, bringing together the firm's litigation and compliance teams. Florian Nițu and Vlad Neacșu co-head the team. Nitu offers particular strength in renewables projects, while Neacşu, who also heads the firm's employment practice, has broad experience across the energy sector. Ciprian Donțu is a key contact for energy sector disputes.

EU and Competition – Tier 2

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's antitrust and competition team has a solid track record in assisting clients with all stages of contentious matters, and is also recognised for its strength in handling investigations within a broad range of sectors. Day-to-day compliance matters are another key driver of work for the group. Mihaela Ion, 'a market authority in antitrust matters', heads up the practice, and is well supported by Laura Ambrozie and Vanessa Nistor.

Testimonials

'PNSA lawyers are very careful and pay attention to our concerns and requests. What we really appreciated was their fast reaction when we need support in relation with the competition council in Romania.'

'Mihaela Ion is a very high skilled and dedicated lawyer in the competition law area. Apart from her deep knowledge, she also knows how to communicate with business people so to gain their trust and she speaks the same language.'

'Mihaela Ion is a market authority in antitrust matters.'

TMT – Tier 2

The TMT team at Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is 'highly professional, trustworthy and reliable'. It acts for a range of strategic and financial investors in the sector, alongside suppliers and customers. The team has standout experience in IT transactions, and notably advised SAP Romania in obtaining 5G certification. Ernest-Virgil Popovici, telecoms specialist, co-heads the team with Bogdan C. Stoica, who is particularly recommended for M&A matters, as well as regulatory expert Silviu Stoica, and Mihaela Ion.

Testimonials

'Good team, equilibrated, quick response and mature attitude.'

'Trustworthy individuals, always saying the truth and assessing the situations correctly.'

'We are a highly visible IT company, strongly present in the Romanian market. We trust PNSA with entire scope of legal services, including TMT. Their teams are highly professional, trustworthy and reliable. We value our cooperation and take comfort knowing that they will provide us most up to date and relevant advice.'

Banking and Finance – Tier 3

The finance team at Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is adept at acting on both borrower and lender sides of financial transactions, and is well versed at acting for banks with Romanian operations. Fintech work is a specialist area of focus for the group. Bogdan C. Stoica is the practice head; Alexandru Ambrozie and Ioana Lazar are other key names to note.

Testimonials

'Always close to the client's needs, acting somehow like an extension of the company; flexible, business oriented, always available and problem solving. Very good professionals, nice people. A pleasure to make a team with them for any project and these "attributes" and spirit are seen for the whole company (from associate to partner). Fees well calibrated for each project.'

'We have been working for many years in complex financing arrangements with PNSA. They do credit, debt, financial instruments, capital markets, project finance, operating a large experienced team.'

'Alexandru Ambrozie, Bogdan C. Stoica and Ioana Lazar are all experienced and pragmatic. With Alexandru Ambrozie we have worked constantly for a very long time.'

Intellectual Property – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's intellectual property practice routinely handles registration and defence of trade marks in various industries, and has a standout strength in the sports arena where it acts for elite Romanian athletes in the range of rights issues. Experienced partner Bogdan C. Stoica is the main contact and has a particularly strong presence in the healthcare and pharma sectors. Camelia Constantin is well versed in the TMT space.

Testimonials

'Highly professional, very engaged and with strong IP background.'

Tax – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's tax practice works cross-departmentally with the firm's M&A, litigation, IT, employment and white-collar practices to provide comprehensive support, including in relation to tax reviews and due diligence, and audit assistance. Raluca Rusu heads the team, a certified tax consultant with international tax experience. The team often works in collaboration with the firm's transactional department, across the construction, retail, IT and manufacturing sectors. Bianca Chiurtu is also recommended in this area.

TMT: Gambling Law – Tier 3

The gambling and betting law practice at Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii has expertise in all matters relating to the licensing process, acting on behalf of a diverse clientele which includes online and offline gambling and betting operators, software operators and payment processors. Bogdan C. Stoica heads the team, with the support of regulatory matters specialist Claudia Salomia.

White-Collar Crime – Tier 3

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii draws on 'deep experience advising on white-collar issues for big corporates' and has a regular stream of new mandates while maintaining its ongoing support in this area for its longstanding clients. Practice head Alexandru Ambrozie 'showcases strong professional judgement, decision-making skills, a high level of transparency and integrity'. He is especially strong in representing clients in regulatory and criminal investigations, and prosecutions brought by the National Anticorruption Directorate, the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, prosecutor's offices and administrative authorities. Ana Stoenescu is the other key lawyer to note, experienced in defending clients in tax evasion, money laundering, EU fraud offences, and health and safety breaches.

Testimonials

'Top-notch in Romania. Strong experience, pragmatic approach, and sound judgment.'

'Alexandru Ambrozie is very experienced and skilled in white-collar investigations. He takes a pragmatic and proportional approach and has sound judgement based on many years of experience.'

'PNSA's experience in anti-corruption matters and overall daily professional conduct enables them to provide high-quality service for their clients, in complex investigations and industries.'

'Alexandru Ambrozie is a very experienced partner, with extensive expertise in white-collar crimes, legal corporate, regulatory, anti-bribery and anti-corruption matters. He showcases strong professional judgement, decision-making skills, a high level of transparency and integrity, which I always appreciate.'

'Ana Stoenescu is a great professional, with whom the collaboration is really smooth. On several occasions, she has showcased great communication and listening skills. She is responsive, attentive and I am confident in our collaboration going forward.'

'Deep experience advising on white collar issues for big corporates. Very client focused.'

Capital Markets – Tier 4

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii's practice is well versed in advising on a broad spectrum of equity and debt capital markets matters. Under the leadership of Bogdan C. Stoica and Alexandru Ambrozie, the team has particular expertise in advising large, high-profile investment funds in the capital markets space. Alexandra Niculae is singled out for her contributions.