COMPETITION/ANTITRUST – BAND 1
D&B David şi Baias is widely acknowledged as a superb choice to represent blue-chip international corporations in investigations carried out by the Romanian Competition Council, including alleged price fixing, abuse of dominance, and the exchange of information between competitors as well as bid rigging cases. Additionally, D&B maintains a strong offering in compliance matters, including the design of distribution models and acts for a client base of clients in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and energy sectors.
Clients applaud the firm’s business-oriented approach. One explains: “The lawyers react and give answers on the spot. For our business we require immediate answers, or at least a feeling of how things might evolve from a legal perspective.”
Another interviewee echoes this sentiment, enthusing: “They understand in detail our business and our needs,” adding: “They provide actionable legal advice.”
D&B lawyers represented Energobit in a Competition Council investigation into alleged bid rigging in public tenders for contracts to carry out maintenance and improvement works on the Romanian national grid.
Sorin David, Eminent Practitioner, is widely regarded as a leading competition law expert. Clients highlight his insight and experience, reporting: “I have a lot of trust and confidence in his advice.” He advises domestic clients involved in investigations.
Manuela Guia, band 1 lawyer, advises clients on contentious mandates, including investigations. Sources praise her pragmatic approach, reporting: “She is knowledgeable about our industry, understands our business priorities and is a highly intelligent person.”
TAX – BAND 1
The D&B Tax team specialises in contentious and non-contentious tax matters and has proven expertise in proceedings before Romanian and EU courts to challenge adverse tax assessments. D&B lawyers handle cases relating to VAT, corporate income and environmental tax law, offer tax advisory services through its strong connection to PwC as well as assisting companies with merger processes and advise clients from the manufacturing and energy sectors and recently increased activity in the pharmaceutical sector.
The “top tax law” practice stands out for the lawyers’ “really good court presence” and “fast replies.” Another source appreciates the group’s ability to “come up with new approaches on specific cases.”
D&B represented Yazaki Europe in proceedings relating to the company’s right to interest on a late reimbursement of VAT.
Dan Dascălu represents domestic and international clients in tax disputes, with a focus on VAT annulment and reimbursement as well as environmental tax and corporate income tax. A source notes: “Dan Dascălu is able to see and spot a trend in court practice ahead of time.” Another client values that he has “a blend of theoretical skills and pragmatism.”
CORPORATE M&A – BAND 3
D&B is frequently mandated by entrepreneurs to act on the sell side of M&A transactions. The firm handles mid-cap buy-side deals on behalf of private equity portfolio companies or privately owned corporate clients, often with the support of a strong competition law team, brings together corporate and tax law expertise to advise on mergers between Romanian companies. Regularly acts for clients from the life sciences and energy sectors. D&B also assists retail sector clients with real estate-driven corporate transactions.
Clients appreciate that “the lawyers give good business advice and point out things we may have overlooked.”
Interviewees further highlight the team’s availability, saying: “It is always possible to discuss matters with the lawyers, whether about small or large issues.”
Clients describe Anda Rojanschi, band 3 lawyer, as “open-minded, intelligent and able to quickly understand all of the possible outcomes.” She also earns praise for her negotiation skills and her ability to establish a “good relationship with the counterparty.” She is a key figure in the M&A team and leads diverse real estate, healthcare and food and drink transactions.
Sorin David, Eminent Practitioner, is a well-respected figure in the market with considerable experience in corporate law topics. Clients highlight his “business acumen and understanding” and say that “he provides immediate and valuable feedback.”
DISPUTE RESOLUTION – DAN DASCĂLU, BAND 5 LAWYER
Dan Dascălu of D&B David si Baias is particularly well known for his expertise in fiscal litigation, with sources noting that he is “a proficient lawyer, particularly in aspects pertaining to tax procedures”.”He also assists clients with broader commercial disputes”.
CORPORATE M&A – BAND 4
Clients describe Anda Rojanschi, band 3 lawyer, as “open-minded, intelligent and able to quickly understand all of the possible outcomes.” She also earns praise for her negotiation skills and her ability to establish a “good relationship with the counterparty.” She is a key figure in the M&A team and leads diverse real estate, healthcare and food and drink transactions.
Sorin David, Eminent Practitioner, is a well-respected figure in the market with considerable experience in corporate law topics. Clients highlight his “business acumen and understanding” and say that “he provides immediate and valuable feedback.”
EU AND COMPETITION – TIER 1
D&B David si Baias assisted clients in several high-profile investigations by the Romanian Competition Council. Examples include representing EnergoBit in relation to allegations of bid rigging for public tenders and acting for Toneli in an investigation into anti-competitive egg pricing. Manuela Guia serves as practice head, working closely with Sorin David.
TAX – TIER 1
D&B David si Baias represented Grup Servicii Petroliere in the Supreme Court of Justice, successfully obtaining the suspension of a tax assessment decision totalling €30m. The team also assisted Yazaki Europe with the annulment of several tax decisions that rejected the client’s right to interest under late reimbursements of VAT. Dan Dascălu and Anda Rojanschi head the practice and specialise in tax-related litigation and M&A work, respectively. Areas of expertise include VAT, profit tax, transfer pricing, social contributions, excise duty and environmental tax issues. Ana-Maria Iordache is also singled out – she is recommended as Next Generation Lawyer.
TMT (TELECOMS, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY) – TIER 2
At D&B David si Baias, the client roster includes major telecoms operators, media companies and technology entities. Manuela Guia acts for Orange, advising on day-to-day issues including contract negotiations and franchise agreements. She also assisted Castel Film and Media Pro in drafting a proposal for a piece of law concerning a state aid scheme applying to the film industry. Manuela heads the team.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION – TIER 4
D&B David si Baias`s team “provides perfect guidance” and “handles its part perfectly”, particularly excelling in administrative and tax law litigation. Acting for Grup Servicii Petroliere, practice head Dan Dascălu successfully obtained the suspension of a €30m tax assessment decision in the Supreme Court of Justice.
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 4
D&B`s M&A team is headed by Anda Rojanschi and Sorin David and handles a wide range of commercial and M&A mandates. The team is well regarded by Romanian entrepreneurs for its advice on business sales to strategic and financial investors and recently acted for Farmexim’s shareholders in the sale of their shares to Phoenix Pharmahandel. On the acquisition front, Anda Rojanschi assisted Voici La Mode with acquiring three Marks & Spencer stores, which saw the client becoming the new holder of the Romanian M&S franchise.
BANKING & FINANCE – TIER 3
D&B is a tier 3 law firm in Banking and Finance. Ovidiu Bold is Rising Star in Capital Markets.
M&A – TIER 4
D&B is a tier 4 law firm in M&A. Sorin David and Anda Rojanschi are mentioned as Highly regarded lawyers in M&A.