COMPETITION/ANTITRUST – BAND 1
THE FIRM: This competition team is widely acknowledged as a market leader. It has assisted heavyweight international clients in compliance, investigations and litigation across a range of industries. Key clients include Orange, GlaxoSmithKline and the Caroli Group. The team boasts successful compliance advisory work and representations before the Competition Council among its notable work.
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Sorin David is “an academic with a great deal of common sense, providing rigorous, pragmatic solutions,” sources affirm. Manuela Guia is known internationally as “extraordinarily knowledgeable,” and her expertise is widely admired by her peers. The “exceptional” Catalin Suliman is recognised as an emerging name in the sector.
EMPLOYMENT – BAND 2
THE FIRM: As a correspondent law firm of PwC, D&B David si Baias serves an impressive list of clients and is particularly noted for its tax-related employment advice. In addition, the employment team provides regulatory compliance advice to Romanian Commercial Bank, as well as complex restructuring and market entry work for international companies such as Omniasig, JT International and Panasonic.
Sources say: “They are very responsive, very professional lawyers and their work is of a high calibre.”
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Dan Dascalu frequently represents clients against trade unions, in addition to frequent advisory instructions. Peers note that “he is very analytic, provides good solutions and is able to combine an employment focus with tax and fiscal advice.” Carmen Medar is the employment practice leader and provides high-level restructuring and European regulatory advice to the firm’s big-name clientele.
TAX – BAND 2
This group is especially strong in litigation. The team has successfully recovered tax from the state to the amount of EUR12 million, striking down the decision of the tax authorities regarding the Steaua Romania Oil Refinery. Further clients include Caroli, Philips and Panasonic. As a correspondent law firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers, David&Baias is able to provide local legal expertise combined with the international professional services of the global PwC network. Clients appreciate the firm’s meticulous approach. One interviewee enthused: “I always get the expected professional standards and beyond.” Dan Dascalu draws praise from peers for his specialist knowledge of tax law, especially fiscal procedures.
CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 3
Corporate clients who want an integrated service appreciate this firm’s links to PwC. The outfit has seen mergers and reorganisations dominating the recent workload. It has received instruction from Mega Image, Philips, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania and AstraZeneca. The nine lawyers assisted Caroli Foods with the negotiation and implementation of a strategic joint venture with Campofrio Food Group. Clients find working with Sorin David “a real pleasure,” and peers describe him as an “outstanding lawyer.” He has “mastered the fundamentals of the law and takes a constructive approach, delivering balanced advice,” enthused one interviewee. Anda Rojanschi is “calm and cool, but is also positive and proactive, and gains a lot with this approach.” Carmen Medar “can be fast and tough when needed.” “The two lawyers make a very good pair in negotiations,” said a client.
BANKING & FINANCE – BAND 3
This correspondent firm of PwC continues to win market recognition and regularly advises banks. The team acted for Garanti Bank in relation to the transfer of Romanian operations from GarantiBank International NV to GE Garanti Bank. Another important mandate was advising HeidelbergCement on the refinancing of a syndicated facility and a syndicated revolving letter of guarantee facility. Other key clients for the firm include EOS-KSI Romania, TBI Credit, Banca Românească and Provident Financial. Clients welcome Laura Toncescu’s “dedication to the completion of projects, her practical solutions, proactive approach and overall knowledge.” Raluca Puscas is highlighted for being “analytical, concise and results-driven.” One client was keen to give a “special mention to the team’s problem-solving attitude and ability to always offer practical advice.”
RESTRUCTURING/INSOLVENCY – BAND 3
This firm’s association with PwC means it is able to offer clients integrated legal and tax advice in relation to corporate restructuring and insolvency issues. The firm recently assisted Panasonic with a pan-European transfer of business, including the transfer of employees. Another important mandate was a post-acquisition restructuring for Mega Image, including representation in court. Clients report that “the lawyers’ response time is very fast” and that the team is “proactive in offering their opinions on the options available.” Further key clients include Delamode Group, Relad Group, Romstal Group, Philips, Omniasig and Valad Property Group.
RESTRUCTURING/INSOLVENCY – BAND 3
Sorin David and Anda Rojanschi co-head this department. The group’s close working relationship with PwC not only means it has strong international connections, but that it can offer specialised tax advice in relation to corporate restructuring and insolvency issues. Clients include the Delamode Group, Philips, Panasonic, Valad Property Group and A&S International.
BANKING & FINANCE – BAND 3
Laura Toncescu is commended for her “dedication to the completion of projects, her practical solutions, proactive approach and overall knowledge.” She has worked on a number of domestic and cross-border matters for clients including the National Bank of Greece and TBI Credit IFN. She assisted EOS KSI Group in the granting by one of the group’s financial services companies of a number of cross-border loans valued at approximately EUR75 million.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION – BAND 3
Daniel Dascalu heads this firm’s dispute resolution practice. Clients include Convance Clinical and Periapproval Services, Gallaher Romania, National Institute Pasteur and the Romanian Red Cross.
CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 4
Sorin David is “an outstanding lawyer who is a pleasure to work with.” He has vast experience in competition law and M&A and is the author of a leading book on Romanian company law. “A cool negotiator who takes a calm and proactive approach,” Anda Rojanschi has broad experience of complex corporate and real estate deals, restructurings, joint ventures and employment law matters. Carmen Medar is commended for her negotiation skills, particularly her ability to be “firm and tough when necessary.” She has significant corporate law experience, particularly in relation to M&A, corporate structurings and reorganisations.
IT, TELECOMS AND MEDIA
TIER 2: Managing partner Sorin David is the name to note for IT work at D&B David si Baias. Clients remark on the firm’s ‘professional approach’. Competition and disputes work are areas of strength. The practice counts Orange Romania among its clients.
CORPORATE AND M&A
TIER 3: Clients rate the ‘business understanding’ of the corporate team at D&B David si Baias. The firm has particular expertise in competition matters. The practice acted for Caroli Foods, the second largest Romanian producer of cold cuts, in connection with the negotiation and implementation of a strategic joint-venture with Campofrio Food Group, one of the leading European groups. In the real estate field, the firm provided sell-side legal assistance to Avrig 35 on the disposal of Iris Shopping Centre in Pitesti. On general corporate matters, the firm’s clients include Philips and Samsung Electronics. Sorin David is ‘results oriented’.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
TIER 3: Tax litigation and competition matters are areas in which D&B David si Baias excels. The firm acted for oil refinery Steaua Romana in irrevocably annulling a tax decision which would have adversely impacted the company to the sum of €12m, as well as in recovering this amount from the State. Dan Dascalu heads the team and is recommended.
BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS
TIER 4: Real estate finance and regulatory work are two areas of strength for D&B David si Baias as part of a broader banking and finance offering. The firm is praised for its ‘business acumen’ and ‘appropriate advice’. The practice is acting for a major EU financial services group in connection with the most suitable legal structure for establishing a shared service centre in Romania. It acted as counsel to Global Finance Real Estate – D&B in connection with the refinancing of a €75m syndicated facility. Sorin David and Laura Toncescu are recommended.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
TIER 4: D&B David si Baias energy practice is focused on transactional work. The firm acted for Termoelectrica in connection with a planned joint venture envisaged with E.ON and ENEL for the purposes of developing a thermal power plant in Braila. Anda Rojanschi is the main point of contact.
REAL ESTATE
TIER 4: Managing partner Sorin David heads up the real estate team at D&B David si Baias. The firm worked with Global Finance Real Estate in relation to the development of commercial and residential real estate projects in Romania. The firm also provided sell side legal assistance to the company for the disposal of part of its portfolio.
Legal Advisors
In the Top 10 Legal Advisors, published by ISI Deal Watch in February 2011, D&B has been ranked 8th by the value of deals (83 million EUR for 2 deals in 2010) on the Romanian market.
COMPETITION / ANTI-TRUST
D&B David si Baias is ranked as a leading law firm.
TAX
D&B David si Baias is one of the leading law firms.
CORPORATE / M&A
D&B David si Baias is ranked as recommended law firm.
LABOUR AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
D&B David si Baias is one of the recognised law firms.
BANKING AND FINANCE
D&B David si Baias is one of the recognised law firms.
CONSTRUCTION
D&B David si Baias is one of the recognised law firms.