Rankings 2014
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 2014
COMPETITION/ANTITRUST – BAND 1
Chambers and Partners Europe (2014 edition) places D&B among the law firms from the 1st (first) band in Competition/Antitrust, mentioning that: “the team is leading light in the competition sphere advising on regulatory issues and state aid cases. Active on antitrust investigations initiated by the Romanian Competition Council, such as abuse of dominance and cartels. Highly recommended for litigation proceedings related to competition decisions.”
Head of practice Sorin David is one of the most prominent experts in competition and antitrust, and he also teaches competition and commercial law at the University of Bucharest. He is celebrated for his high level of expertise in the field.
Clients Testimonials:
- Manuela Guia is highly recommended by clients: “I have only good things to say about her; she gives us instant, clear advice and knows how to be diplomatic in negotiations.”
- “I would highlight Sorin David as one of the best lawyers in the market.”
TAX – BAND 2
Chambers and Partners Europe (2014 edition) places D&B among the law firms from the 2nd (second) band in Tax, mentioning that: “the team is known for respected tax practice which benefits from a co-operative relationship with PwC and access to the accounting firm’s wider global network. Active on tax disputes for clients and has expertise in VAT and excise duty issues.” D&B recently defended Rafinăria Steaua Română against a EUR 5 million interest claim for late VAT payment. Dan Dascălu coordinates the firm’s litigation department.
EMPLOYMENT – BAND 3
Chambers and Partners Europe (2014 edition)s places D&B among the law firms from the 3nd (third) band in Employment, mentioning that: “Noted employment practice with strong consultancy and litigation capabilities. Particularly noted for outsourcing, restructuring, international assignment and employment documentation work. Acts on both individual and collective employment relations issues.” Department head, Dan Dascălu, specialises in employment litigation and arbitration. He possesses strong crossover capabilities due to his ability to advise on tax and competition law.
CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 4
Chambers and Partners Europe (2014 edition) – places D&B among the law firms from the 4th (fourth) band in Corporate/M&A, mentioning that “D&B is an active group advising Romanian entrepreneurs, multinational corporates and banks on M&A and general corporate matters. It offers a full-service approach with expertise in competition and state aid, regulatory, employment and environmental law.
Anda Rojanchi leads the team advising the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Business Environment with the ongoing privatisation of state-owned company Oltchim. Clients say they appreciate her “openness”.
Sorin David is the Managing partner of D&B and is a well-known and respected corporate lawyer. He led the team advising on the sale of the majority stake in EnergoBit, and is also active in academia.
Clients Testimonials:
- Anda Rojanchi “provides instant and clear answers that are right to the point”
Chambers Global 2014
CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 4
Chambers and Partners Global mentions in the 2014 edition that “Managing partner Sorin David is a well-known and respected corporate lawyer. He led the team advising on the sale of the majority stake in EnergoBit, and is also active in academia.
Department head Anda Rojanschi provides “instant and clear answers that are right to the point,” and clients say they appreciate her “openness.” She leads the team advising the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business Environment with the ongoing privatisation of State-owned company Oltchim.”
Legal 500
IT, TELECOMS AND MEDIA – TIER 3
TIER 3: “D&B David si Baias’ five-lawyer practice is headed by Sorin David and acts on TMT regulatory and corporate matters. It is advising Castel Film and MediaPro Distribution on a state aid scheme to incentivise the national film industry”.
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
TIER 3: Legal 500 (2014 edition) places D&B in the 3rd tier of the recommended firms in Corporate M&A section, pointing out that: “D&B is noted for its ‘excellent teamwork and aggregate level of expertise’, D&B David si Baias advises clients such as OMV Petrom and Vantage Drilling on all corporate matters, and can call on a strong antitrust and competition team. It advised Burda International on its acquisition of Sanoma Hearst. Anda Rojanschi is recommended.”
DISPUTE RESOLUTION – TIER 3
TIER 3: Legal 500 (2014 edition) pointed out that: ”D&B David si Baias has traditionally focused on administrative and tax law disputes. Sorin David successfully represented Orange before the Bucharest Court of Appeal to annul a €38m fine, and acted for OMV Petrom in another case seeking the annulment of a fine. Dan Dascălu is also a key figure in the team.”
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES – TIER 4
TIER 4: “D&B David si Baias advised offshore drilling company Vantage Drilling on a cross-border merger between the client’s Romanian and Polish entities, and advised private investors on the €70m sale of their majority stake in EnergoBit. Anda Rojanschi heads the practice”.
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION – TIER 4
TIER 4: Legal 500 (2014 edition) mentioned that “D&B David si Baias advises on real estate transactions and due diligence for various projects including energy sector mandates. It recently advised an international retailer on the acquisition of numerous land plots and advised longstanding client Alpha Bank on the acquisition of the Doamna Ghica Plaza residential real estate project. Sorin David heads the practice.”
BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS – TIER 4
Legal 500 (2014 edition) places D&B in the 4th tier of the recommended firms in Banking, Finance and Capital Markets section, pointing out that: “Sorin David heads the team at D&B David si Baias, which recently advised Alpha Bank on the assignment of a €40m mortgage-backed loan to a Cyprus-based SPV. Other clients include OMV Petrom, Albalact, RBS, and First Investment Bank.”
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.”