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: “I would highlight him as one of the best lawyers in the market.” 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.”
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 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 & Business Environment with the ongoing privatisation of state-owned company Oltchim.”
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.
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.”
CORPORATE AND M&A
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: 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.”
IT, TELECOMS AND MEDIA
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”.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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: 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.”