Rankings 2012
D&B David and Baias – a successful partnership.
In a partnership, the success belongs to the partnership. The team wins and with it, each one of its members.
Chambers Europe 2012
COMPETITION/ANTITRUST – BAND 1
This six-strong team remains one of the leading competition practices in Romania, representing several prominent multinationals in a broad range of competition issues. The firm assisted key client Orange with several files before the Competition Council, in addition to various internal projects. It has also been advising leading domestic food producer Caroli Food Group on issues pertaining to a strategic joint venture.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources unanimously praise practice head Sorin David, describing him as a “star” and highlighting his “tremendous experience.” He is also a renowned professor at the University of Bucharest.
Manuela Guia handles both state aid and antitrust issues, and is admired for her robust knowledge of both Romanian and European law.
Up-and-comer Catalin Suliman wins plaudits for his expert competition advice. Observers see him as “knowledgeable on competition law and very promising for the future.”
Clients Testimonials:
- “This firm manages situations very smoothly.”
TAX – BAND 2
This firm is widely regarded as a strong choice for tax issues, helped by its status as a correspondent law firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. The department is divided into two separate teams, covering litigation and advisory matters, which enables it to direct its resources with great precision. It successfully represented Steaua Romana in challenging a state tax bill, and is now representing the client as it pursues compensation for the late payment of the reimbursement. The team has also been assisting Gallaher Romania, part of the Japan Tobacco Group, with lawsuits linked to exercise duties and penalties.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Dan Dascalu earns peer praise for his knowledge of tax litigation and tax law, particularly fiscal judicial procedure.
EMPLOYMENT – BAND 2
Recently, the group assisted AXA Life Insurance with its restructuring and litigation procedures, and was instructed by Panasonic on a Europe-wide transfer of activity. Other clients include Banca Comercială Română, JT International and Actavis.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Dan Dascalu is widely praised for his experience in helping employers deal with disputes, especially relating to unions. Clients appreciate his client-focused service.
Carmen Medar’s practice centres on social security law, and she frequently assists clients with corporate restructurings and transactions.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The opinions are well elaborated and structured, professional and accurate.”
- “The approach is very personal and friendly, and the team is flexible.”
BANKING & FINANCE – BAND 3
This correspondent firm of PwC is praised by clients for its network support and tax expertise. Sources also highlight its members’ skills, experience and stability, and appreciate the team’s proactive and high-quality service. The team recently advised EOS KSI on a finance restructuring, and acted for BRD Finance IFN on its settlement process.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Laura Toncescu heads the practice and is widely praised by clients for her technical background and customer-oriented approach.
Clients Testimonials:
- “In the last part of the project, one of D&B’s team was located in our headquarters, which brought a big improvement in the project team’s efficiency.”
CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 3
As the partner firm of PwC in Romania, this group has an important international link. It is renowned for its competition and antitrust law expertise, which sources confirm feeds a healthy corporate practice. A significant recent transaction was the firm’s work for Caroli Foods in its strategic joint venture with Campofrio Food Group. Additionally, it advised Turkven Private Equity on its sale of 96% of Provus. The firm also provides ongoing corporate governance support to Samson International Holding.
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Sorin David is the firm’s managing partner, whose long experience of corporate law gives him gravitas, and whose expertise in the field of competition and antitrust is well known. Anda Rojanschi is the corporate/M&A partner managing the department, who clients note “always finds time to provide a quick, detailed response, no matter how short-notice.” Carmen Medar is a managing associate with a particular expertise in labour and employment matters, which makes her a valuable addition to the corporate/M&A team.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The advice is practical and realistic. The firm is constructive, flexible and open to discussing different ways to approach a subject. The team knows our business well and anticipates our needs, even when we forget them ourselves.”
RESTRUCTURING/INSOLVENCY – BAND 3
This PricewaterhouseCoopers-associated firm is noted for its expertise in tax, and maintains an important restructuring and insolvency practice. A total of 16 fee earners drawn from the tax support and corporate and M&A departments undertake the firm’s mandates in this field. Recent highlights include handling the restructuring of Panasonic’s Romanian operations as part of a process taking place with the assistance of PwC across Europe. The firm also performed a business reorganisation for Philips.
KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Sorin David and corporate partner Anda Rojanschi share responsibility for the restructuring and insolvency department.
Clients Testimonials:
- “D&B is very fast in its reaction, and really helps to keep the costs down.”
Chambers Global 2012
CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 3
Sorin David is the firm’s managing partner, whose long experience of corporate law gives him gravitas, and whose expertise in the field of competition and antitrust is well known. Anda Rojanschi is the corporate/M&A partner managing the department, who clients note “always finds time to provide a quick, detailed response, no matter how short the notice.” Carmen Medar is a managing associate with particular expertise in labour and employment matters, making her a valuable addition to the corporate/M&A team.
BANKING & FINANCE – BAND 3
Laura Toncescu heads the practice and gathers widespread applause from clients for her client-oriented approach and “strong technical background.”
Restructuring/Insolvency – BAND 3
Managing partner Sorin David and corporate partner Anda Rojanschi share responsibility for the restructuring and insolvency department.
Legal 500
BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS – TIER 4
D&B David si Baias advised EOS KSI on revisions to a €20m financing arrangement, as well as Turkiye Garanti Bankasi on the reorganisation of three of its Dutch entities. Sorin David and practice head Laura Toncescu are recommended.
IT, TELECOMS AND MEDIA – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias represented Orange Romania in three investigations by the Competition Council, and provides ongoing regulatory advice. Sorin David heads the team.
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias’ ‘client-oriented’ team advised Medlife, a leading provider of private medical services in Romania, on its purchase of a 55% stake in Genesys Medical Clinic Group Arad. It also advised Mega Image on the acquisition of two Primavara stores held by Can Serv. Other clients include Caroli Foods and Keyence International Belgium. Team head Anda Rojanschi and managing partner Sorin David are recommended.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION TIER 3
‘Real experts in tax litigation and competition matters’, D&B David si Baias advised Orange Romania during three complex investigations by the Competition Council. It also represented Steaua Romana Oil Refinery in challenging the validity of two offset notes issued by the tax authorities. Dan Dascalu heads the team.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES – TIER 4
D&B David si Baias advised Socar Petroleum, the state oil company of Azerbaijan, on the €7m acquisition of Romtranspetrol. It also acted for Duro Felguera on the development of certain electric power station projects in Romania. Anda Rojanschi is recommended.
Legal 500
EU AND COMPETITION – TIER 1
The depth of the team D&B David si Baias SCA is a major plus, not just in terms of associates such as Lucian Bozian, who attracts huge client praise, but also in the presence of managing partner Sorin David who remains a leading figure in the market. The versatile practice covers the full range of issues, including antitrust and unfair competition claims on the contentious side, and merger clearance and compliance training on the advisory front.
Sorin David – Leading individuals
Lucian Bozian – Rising stars
Clients Testimonials:
- “We were extremely pleased with their expertise and know-how in EU Funds/ State aid and Competition and built a strong relationship from then onward.”
- “Very professional attitude, good understanding of client’s objectives, hands-on approach, clear and structured legal opinions, first-class defence of client’s interests.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients.”
- “They provided seamless advice on our daily business and performed several compliance tasks on competition issues.”
- “Sorin David is one of the best known lawyers in the market.”
- “Lucian Bozian, was always available for our needs and we received valuable help and advice every time it was necessary. His commitment and great knowledge on complex matters was always treasured by us. Lucian Bozian has a past experience as a competition inspector, which enables him to provide practical insight into the authority’s way of handling investigations. He also has a strong hold of our business and understands the intricacies of the market.”
TAX – TIER 1
D&B David si Baias SCA has a top-notch reputation for contentious and non-contentious tax advice, and related administrative and white collar crime proceedings. The firm regularly represents clients before the regulatory authorities, and provides strong corporate support on M&As, financings, real estate deals and restructurings. Other areas of strength include VAT, transfer pricing, social contributions, excise duty and environmental tax. The firm’s membership of the PwC network makes it popular with clients seeking a one-stop-shop.
Tax litigation head Dan Dascălu, Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian are highly recommended for disputes. Sorin David and Anda Rojanschi are active on the advisory side.
Dan Dascălu – Leading individuals
Ana-Maria Iordache – Next Generation Partners
Clients Testimonials:
- “D&B David si Baias SCA are a great team and we trusted them with our tax litigation.”
- “In our opinion, Dan Dascalu is the best Romanian lawyer specialised in tax litigation, with extensive knowledge and experience in tax matters.”
- “The tax team is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to choosing the best possible lawyers in this domain. They can handle even the most difficult and complex cases, due to their exceptional technical skills doubled by the most practical approach.”
- “They are always available, even in short notice, and when you work in a fast changing industry you learn to appreciate this. I usually need answers yesterday, because this is how things work, so I know that I’ll get it when I ask D&B. We’ve worked together for so long they understand the business, so I don’t need to prepare pages of business understanding for them; I just ask the question.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients. Stability of representation team.”
- “Responsive lawyers who ask great questions and actively listen to answers.”
- “They have that connection to the reality that is given by years of practice, I guess – they provide a straightforward answer, not an open one. As a practitioner in the industry I do not need an array of possibilities to choose from, but a yes/no answer. Dan Dascalu and Ana Maria Iordache are remarkable to me.”
- “Dan Dascalu, being both a very persuasive practitioner and also an exceptional theorist, is definitely one of the best advocates to which anyone can entrust in full confidence even the most sensitive cases. He is a proficient lawyer, coordinating a team of genuinely professional individuals, of which I would mention Mihail Boian as a young lawyer on the rise.”
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA offers an all-embracing corporate practice that is as comfortable on the transactional side as it is on day-to-day matters. The one-stop-shop nature of its offering is cemented by its membership of the PwC network, and clients appreciate having the ability to access the full range of services.
Highly rated partner Anda Rojanschi leads the team alongside managing partner Sorin David. Clients include major multinationals, entrepreneurs and investors, and the firm is especially active in the healthcare sector.
Clients Testimonials:
- “A highly dedicated team with many years of M&A experience proven by several completed deals. The legal team benefits from the association with PwC (easy to assemble cross-disciplinary teams with financial, tax, corporate finance experts).”
- “Anda Rojanschi is a seasoned lawyer with strong M&A experience gained in several successfully closed transactions. She has the ability to smoothly convey her knowledge to the client achieving effective results in time-pressured situations.”
DISPUTE RESOLUTION TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA fields a strong team of litigation experts with experience across a range of disciplines. Tax disputes feature high on the agenda, but the firm also handles claims linked to heavily-regulated industries such as telecoms, as well as broader commercial, real estate, employment, banking and insolvency related disputes.
The versatile Dan Dascălu leads the team, which includes tax and administrative litigation expert Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian. Managing partner Sorin David is also highly experienced in this area.
Clients Testimonials:
- “We have been collaborating with D&B for many years within a sensitive and complex case; have a relationship based on trust, given the quality of legal opinions, the promptness of their submission, and considering our needs as clients.”
- “The capability of the team to handle difficult and complex litigations puts them to the top of practitioners in the dispute resolution area. They hold impressive skills in managing tax, competition, and administrative proceedings.”
- “I totally recommend Sorin David and Ovidiu Bold as very professional, rigorous, innovative lawyers.”
- “Sorin David is a really prestigious professional who can be trusted with the most sensitive competition cases, as he holds great experience and extensive knowledge in competition matters. Dan Dascalu is widely known for managing tax and administrative disputes on the highest possible standard, combining a very strong know how with the eloquence of a brilliant barrister.”
EMPLOYMENT TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA has a solid team led by partner Dan Dascălu, who divides his time between tax and employment law. The practice also contains several specialised associates who come highly recommended by clients, including Ioana Cercel. The practice is especially strong on the employment aspects of complex restructuring projects and business transfers. More recently it has been active on the litigation front and advised clients on COVID-19 related issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “Very professional team, responsive and supportive. Pro active approach from their side, flexible and customer oriented.”
- “D&B David & Baias communicates very effectively with the client’s internal teams, even if they are not people from the legal department. D&B team members are talking in the same language, more precisely if they are working with teams outside from the legal area, for example the HR department, they can explain the request or they can give advice that can be understood by non-legal teams. Moreover, D&B deliver their works in due time to be reviewed / approved from the point of view of the client’s commercial policy and they maintain a professional working environment.”
- “Ioana Cercel – Managing Associate – I appreciate that Ioana is very pragmatic and also informs me about the estimation of the chances of losing the litigation, in case the case is not solid. Unlike other competitors, she gives us a clear and balanced picture of the strengths we have but also of the weaknesses in labor disputes. She is very organized, has well-structured works and respects the deadline.”
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA made strong inroads into the market through its absorption of the energy boutique Pachiu & Associates, including partner Laurentiu Pachiu and well-regarded consultants Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu. The new arrivals add depth to an energy practice, where managing partner Sorin David and corporate partner Anda Rojanschi also have strong experience. The group now provides a full service offering, encompassing transactional, infrastructure, regulatory and tax issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team has an extensive and in-depth knowledge and experience in the energy sector in Romania. It provides thorough information at once and full support. The team is very responsive. The cost estimates and billings are correct.”
- “Key strengths and capabilities are: Extremely knowledgeable of the Energy Market in Romania, including applicable law and regulations. In-house expertise on various specialist topics. Very well connected with official organizations in the energy industry in Romania, as well as the private sector, including investors.”
- “The firm seems to have a strong focus on innovations in people and technology. It has an easy and user friendly system of organising online meetings, even with large groups, and connecting to our team of attorneys by electronic means is very simple and a straightforward process.”
- “Professional, creative, pro-active and solution oriented: a true partner in all business dealings. Reliable, flexible, pleasant and professional co-operation, quick response times and excellent availability.”
- “We have been working with Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu for many years and have been accompanied through many regulatory changes. They respond within a short term, answer questions completely and handle all topics to our full satisfaction.”
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION TIER 4
D&B David si Baias SCA has a strong transactional offering, regularly advising on the real estate aspects of major corporate acquisitions, as well as the corporate structuring of property investments and joint ventures. The firm’s membership of the PwC network also gives it a significant edge on the tax side, as well as related financings and regulatory issues.
Managing associate Georgiana Balan leads the practice, which has strong involvement from managing partner Sorin David and corporate head Anda Rojanschi.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team is composed by lawyers with awareness of the legal and business environment. We have been working mainly with Georgiana Balan. Georgiana has been very motivated and responsive and has offered solutions whenever necessary.”
- “A very competitive team, with very good communication from the team members with the client and a strong understanding of the client’s needs.”
Legal 500
EU AND COMPETITION – TIER 1
The depth of the team D&B David si Baias SCA is a major plus, not just in terms of associates such as Lucian Bozian, who attracts huge client praise, but also in the presence of managing partner Sorin David who remains a leading figure in the market. The versatile practice covers the full range of issues, including antitrust and unfair competition claims on the contentious side, and merger clearance and compliance training on the advisory front.
Sorin David – Leading individuals
Lucian Bozian – Rising stars
Clients Testimonials:
- “We were extremely pleased with their expertise and know-how in EU Funds/ State aid and Competition and built a strong relationship from then onward.”
- “Very professional attitude, good understanding of client’s objectives, hands-on approach, clear and structured legal opinions, first-class defence of client’s interests.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients.”
- “They provided seamless advice on our daily business and performed several compliance tasks on competition issues.”
- “Sorin David is one of the best known lawyers in the market.”
- “Lucian Bozian, was always available for our needs and we received valuable help and advice every time it was necessary. His commitment and great knowledge on complex matters was always treasured by us. Lucian Bozian has a past experience as a competition inspector, which enables him to provide practical insight into the authority’s way of handling investigations. He also has a strong hold of our business and understands the intricacies of the market.”
TAX – TIER 1
D&B David si Baias SCA has a top-notch reputation for contentious and non-contentious tax advice, and related administrative and white collar crime proceedings. The firm regularly represents clients before the regulatory authorities, and provides strong corporate support on M&As, financings, real estate deals and restructurings. Other areas of strength include VAT, transfer pricing, social contributions, excise duty and environmental tax. The firm’s membership of the PwC network makes it popular with clients seeking a one-stop-shop.
Tax litigation head Dan Dascălu, Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian are highly recommended for disputes. Sorin David and Anda Rojanschi are active on the advisory side.
Dan Dascălu – Leading individuals
Ana-Maria Iordache – Next Generation Partners
Clients Testimonials:
- “D&B David si Baias SCA are a great team and we trusted them with our tax litigation.”
- “In our opinion, Dan Dascalu is the best Romanian lawyer specialised in tax litigation, with extensive knowledge and experience in tax matters.”
- “The tax team is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to choosing the best possible lawyers in this domain. They can handle even the most difficult and complex cases, due to their exceptional technical skills doubled by the most practical approach.”
- “They are always available, even in short notice, and when you work in a fast changing industry you learn to appreciate this. I usually need answers yesterday, because this is how things work, so I know that I’ll get it when I ask D&B. We’ve worked together for so long they understand the business, so I don’t need to prepare pages of business understanding for them; I just ask the question.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients. Stability of representation team.”
- “Responsive lawyers who ask great questions and actively listen to answers.”
- “They have that connection to the reality that is given by years of practice, I guess – they provide a straightforward answer, not an open one. As a practitioner in the industry I do not need an array of possibilities to choose from, but a yes/no answer. Dan Dascalu and Ana Maria Iordache are remarkable to me.”
- “Dan Dascalu, being both a very persuasive practitioner and also an exceptional theorist, is definitely one of the best advocates to which anyone can entrust in full confidence even the most sensitive cases. He is a proficient lawyer, coordinating a team of genuinely professional individuals, of which I would mention Mihail Boian as a young lawyer on the rise.”
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA offers an all-embracing corporate practice that is as comfortable on the transactional side as it is on day-to-day matters. The one-stop-shop nature of its offering is cemented by its membership of the PwC network, and clients appreciate having the ability to access the full range of services.
Highly rated partner Anda Rojanschi leads the team alongside managing partner Sorin David. Clients include major multinationals, entrepreneurs and investors, and the firm is especially active in the healthcare sector.
Clients Testimonials:
- “A highly dedicated team with many years of M&A experience proven by several completed deals. The legal team benefits from the association with PwC (easy to assemble cross-disciplinary teams with financial, tax, corporate finance experts).”
- “Anda Rojanschi is a seasoned lawyer with strong M&A experience gained in several successfully closed transactions. She has the ability to smoothly convey her knowledge to the client achieving effective results in time-pressured situations.”
DISPUTE RESOLUTION TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA fields a strong team of litigation experts with experience across a range of disciplines. Tax disputes feature high on the agenda, but the firm also handles claims linked to heavily-regulated industries such as telecoms, as well as broader commercial, real estate, employment, banking and insolvency related disputes.
The versatile Dan Dascălu leads the team, which includes tax and administrative litigation expert Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian. Managing partner Sorin David is also highly experienced in this area.
Clients Testimonials:
- “We have been collaborating with D&B for many years within a sensitive and complex case; have a relationship based on trust, given the quality of legal opinions, the promptness of their submission, and considering our needs as clients.”
- “The capability of the team to handle difficult and complex litigations puts them to the top of practitioners in the dispute resolution area. They hold impressive skills in managing tax, competition, and administrative proceedings.”
- “I totally recommend Sorin David and Ovidiu Bold as very professional, rigorous, innovative lawyers.”
- “Sorin David is a really prestigious professional who can be trusted with the most sensitive competition cases, as he holds great experience and extensive knowledge in competition matters. Dan Dascalu is widely known for managing tax and administrative disputes on the highest possible standard, combining a very strong know how with the eloquence of a brilliant barrister.”
EMPLOYMENT TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA has a solid team led by partner Dan Dascălu, who divides his time between tax and employment law. The practice also contains several specialised associates who come highly recommended by clients, including Ioana Cercel. The practice is especially strong on the employment aspects of complex restructuring projects and business transfers. More recently it has been active on the litigation front and advised clients on COVID-19 related issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “Very professional team, responsive and supportive. Pro active approach from their side, flexible and customer oriented.”
- “D&B David & Baias communicates very effectively with the client’s internal teams, even if they are not people from the legal department. D&B team members are talking in the same language, more precisely if they are working with teams outside from the legal area, for example the HR department, they can explain the request or they can give advice that can be understood by non-legal teams. Moreover, D&B deliver their works in due time to be reviewed / approved from the point of view of the client’s commercial policy and they maintain a professional working environment.”
- “Ioana Cercel – Managing Associate – I appreciate that Ioana is very pragmatic and also informs me about the estimation of the chances of losing the litigation, in case the case is not solid. Unlike other competitors, she gives us a clear and balanced picture of the strengths we have but also of the weaknesses in labor disputes. She is very organized, has well-structured works and respects the deadline.”
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA made strong inroads into the market through its absorption of the energy boutique Pachiu & Associates, including partner Laurentiu Pachiu and well-regarded consultants Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu. The new arrivals add depth to an energy practice, where managing partner Sorin David and corporate partner Anda Rojanschi also have strong experience. The group now provides a full service offering, encompassing transactional, infrastructure, regulatory and tax issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team has an extensive and in-depth knowledge and experience in the energy sector in Romania. It provides thorough information at once and full support. The team is very responsive. The cost estimates and billings are correct.”
- “Key strengths and capabilities are: Extremely knowledgeable of the Energy Market in Romania, including applicable law and regulations. In-house expertise on various specialist topics. Very well connected with official organizations in the energy industry in Romania, as well as the private sector, including investors.”
- “The firm seems to have a strong focus on innovations in people and technology. It has an easy and user friendly system of organising online meetings, even with large groups, and connecting to our team of attorneys by electronic means is very simple and a straightforward process.”
- “Professional, creative, pro-active and solution oriented: a true partner in all business dealings. Reliable, flexible, pleasant and professional co-operation, quick response times and excellent availability.”
- “We have been working with Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu for many years and have been accompanied through many regulatory changes. They respond within a short term, answer questions completely and handle all topics to our full satisfaction.”
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION TIER 4
D&B David si Baias SCA has a strong transactional offering, regularly advising on the real estate aspects of major corporate acquisitions, as well as the corporate structuring of property investments and joint ventures. The firm’s membership of the PwC network also gives it a significant edge on the tax side, as well as related financings and regulatory issues.
Managing associate Georgiana Balan leads the practice, which has strong involvement from managing partner Sorin David and corporate head Anda Rojanschi.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team is composed by lawyers with awareness of the legal and business environment. We have been working mainly with Georgiana Balan. Georgiana has been very motivated and responsive and has offered solutions whenever necessary.”
- “A very competitive team, with very good communication from the team members with the client and a strong understanding of the client’s needs.”