Rankings 2013

COMPETITION/ANTITRUST – BAND 1

THE FIRM: This leading team is widely regarded as one of the strongest in the country. Litigation is a key strength, and it recently represented the Romanian subsidiary of Orange in a number of cases related to potential infringement brought by the Competition Council. On the advisory side, the team handles a broad range of competition and antitrust matters, from investigations by the competition authorities to merger control. The firm’s impressive client list includes well-known domestic entities as well as multinationals, such as OMV Petrom, ENI, LG Electronics, Mega Image and Farmexpert.
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Head of practice Sorin David is one of the most prominent experts in competition and antitrust, and also teaches competition and commercial law at the University of Bucharest. He is held in high esteem by peers and clients alike, with one interviewee describing him as “one of the best lawyers in this area – both a professor and a mentor.”
Manuela Guia covers the full spectrum of competition and antitrust advice. She is valued by clients and peers alike, who describe her as “an ambitious young lawyer with excellent potential.”

TAX – BAND 2

THE FIRM: This six-strong team has a well-established presence in this practice area, thanks to its affiliation with PwC. The team is valued for its strength in litigation, where it has represented clients in cases related to fiscal issues in sectors such as real estate, construction, electronics and banking. Recent highlights include assisting Nidera with an annulment claim against the Romanian tax authorities regarding EUR3 million reimbursable VAT. The group is also providing on-going assistance to Rafinaria Steaua Romana in connection with its VAT compensation claim against the Romanian tax authorities. Other clients include Mivan and Gallaher Romania, part of the Japan Tobacco Group.
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Head of practice Dan Dascalu is recognised for his skill in litigation and fiscal procedure. He is also commended by peers for his recent work on amending the Romanian tax code.

EMPLOYMENT – BAND 3

THE FIRM: Through its close association with PwC, this firm is well known for handling employment mandates with tax and human resources aspects to them. The five-strong team has significant experience in litigation and dispute resolution, as well as restructuring. The firm was recently instructed by NH Hotels on a restructuring mandate to align its employee structure with that in other jurisdictions. Technology giant Intel uses this firm for the provision of advice on day-to-day employment matters in relation to its operations in Romania.
KEY INDIVIDUALS: In addition to heading this practice, partner Dan Dascalu also coordinates the firm’s litigation department. He is praised by interviewees for his skills as a litigator.
Carmen Medar assists with the coordination of this practice. Her expertise in this area includes significant knowledge of the Romanian labour code and trade union law.

CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 4

THE FIRM: This team benefits significantly from the firm’s co-operation with PwC and its strong international network, and draws on the stellar reputation of its competition practice. The group covers a wide array of corporate matters, from M&A to restructurings and on-going corporate advice. Key mandates include acting for Metair Investments with regards to the due diligence for Rombat, and assisting Clinica Polisano with the sale of its dialysis clinics to the German company Diaverum.
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Sorin David “understands clients’ interests and tries to come up with practical solutions,” say interviewees. Recent work includes assisting the shareholders of Supreme Chocolat with the disposal of 100% of shares in the company to Austrian group Kandia.
Group head Anda Rojanschi was part of the team acting for Metair Investments with regards to the purchase and due diligence for Rombat.

BANKING & FINANCE – BAND 4

THE FIRM: Despite its compact size, this team is recommended for its banking and finance expertize, and for its advice to non-banking financial institutions in particular. Key mandates include advising Provident Financial Romania IFN on the conditions on which it may continue its operations as a non-banking financial institution. Other clients include Garanti Bank, TBI Credit IFN and TBI Leasing IFN and Volksbank Romania.
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Managing partner Sorin David is the main point of contact for clients.