The Legal 500

Andrékó Kinstellar has a six-strong team and is valued for its ‘extensive knowledge’. It continues to have a close relationship with Linklaters LLP; led by managing partner and ‘convincing negotiator’ Csilla Andrékó, it advised the Bank of Scotland on the restructuring of the Samsonite group alongside the UK firm. It also advised a major banking consortium on the financing of CVC’s acquisition of Anheuser-Busch’s brewery assets in the CEE region, valued at €690m.

Erika Papp leads the team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP. A highlight for the team was advising TMW Pramerica on a facility from Hypo Investment Bank, involving Islamic financing elements. It also advised Eurohypo and property investment company Carpathian plc.

Lakatos, Köves and Partners benefits from its continued good relationship with Clifford Chance, receiving a significant amount of referral work particularly in the refinancing field. Led by Péter Köves, the team advised Permira on the restructuring of its portfolio, and a consortium on the construction of the M3 motorway. The loss of joint practice head Gábor Felsen to Gide Loyrette Nouel may signal some changes.

Gide Loyrette Nouel demonstrated its ambition with the hire of star lawyer Gábor Felsen from Lakatos, Köves and Partners to take over from well-respected former practice head Balázs Ferenczy, who left the firm in November 2010. The team won CIB Bank Zrt as a new client, and also advised new client Caisse Nationale des Caisses d’Epargne.

With the ‘highest level of legal knowledge’, Horváth & Partners DLA Piper’s team of eight fee-earners, led by Péter Györfi-Tóth, provides refinancing and restructuring advice to some of the largest banks in Hungary. It has also been involved in certain acquisition finance deals in the media sector.

Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie’s banking team continues to work for two of the largest banks in Hungary, advising on securities agreements worth €54m. It also takes advantage of the firm’s global network and has been involved in various cross-border matters, notably advising two Dutch banks on a merger in Hungary. Managing partner Pál Takács leads the team.

Morley Allen & Overy Iroda advises various international banks on financing matters in the CEE region. Acquisition and refinancing work keeps the team busy.

The six-fee-earner team at Oppenheim advised CIB Bank on a financial lease, as well as working for The Bank of America Trustees Limited as a security agent, in relation to the release of certain security interests over the assets of the ProLogis Group, it also acted for the Starbev Group, the major brewing company, on acquisition finance matters.

Réczicza White & Case LLP’s two-partner team continued to advise the European Investment Bank on a risk-sharing facility due to be provided by major Hungarian bank CIB Bank Zrt. It is also advising a group of mezzanine lenders on a complex restructuring matter worth €1.2bn.

As well as advising a significant number of the major banks in Hungary, Siegler Law Office/Weil, Gotshal & Manges advised Adriatic Marinas on a major investment project, and, through Konrád Siegler, advised ICFO Systems on a complex bond redemption matter.

Law Office of Gárdos, Füredi, Mosonyi, Tomori works on transactional matters and banking litigation. It has also handled work for the Hungarian government.

Nagy és Trócsányi regularly advises major Hungarian banks CIB Bank and OTP. It has added former CIB general counsel Zoltán Varga to its practice as a partner, strengthening its relationship with the bank, and enjoys good relationships with foreign law firms including US heavyweight Latham & Watkins LLP. It recently advised BNP Paribas on a security package matter and also Deutsche Bank.

PRK Partners lost talented litigator Zsuzsanna Karolyi, who set up her own firm. The team, led by Ágnes Fábry, has been busy advising Oberbank on tax matters as well as providing acquisition-related advice to Gránit Bank.

Partos & Noblet in co-operation with Hogan Lovells International LLP’s team was busy with ongoing restructuring deals as well as attracting some new mandates. Clients have included Barclays, BNP Paribas and Unicredit.

Lead partner Péter Komáromi at Sándor Szegedi Szent-Ivány Komáromi Eversheds has ‘extensive knowledge and experience’, with recent clients including a Korean bank. The team also worked with US-based manufacturer Jeld-Wen on a loan restructuring, which included cross-border elements and had an overall value of £200m. Clients appreciate the ‘good service, which is thorough, timely and good value for money’.

Szecskay Attorneys at Law’s team advised Cisco Systems and Mastercard International on financing and banking issues respectively. Team head Judit Budai acted as Hungarian counsel for the CEDC Group in a $880m high yield bond issue.

Bihary, Balassa & Partners Attorneys at Law advises domestic and foreign multinational companies on financial issues, including industrial investment.

Burai – Kovács & Partners provides advice on loans and securities, as well as project financing, particularly in the energy field.

enwc Natlacen Walderdorff Cancola Attorneys at Law acted for the Hungarian state railway as well as advising on several refinancing deals including work with Hungarian company OM ‘05 Zrt. The team is led by Dénes Szabó.

The arrival of Zsolt Fábián has reinforced the team at Erös Üqyvédi Iroda / Squire Sanders & Dempsey (US) LLP. It has been handling ongoing work for General Electric, and several refinancing matters for ING Real Estate along with its Hungarian subsidiary.

Managing partner Géza Katona at Katona & Partners Attorneys at Law advises on financial issues, and the firm has strong links with several Austrian and Germany banks. It provides ‘appropriate, comprehensible and on-the-spot legal advice’.

Noerr & Partners Law Office’s team works on corporate, cross-border financing and refinancing matters.

Réti, Antall & Madl Landwell advises financial institutions on securities issues as well as reorganisation and refinancing matters.

Recent work for Schoenherr includes banking regulatory advice for Mitsubishi, and advising Syngenta on share scheme matters.

Szabo Kelemen & Partners Attorneys advises financial institutions on loan agreements, restructuring and project financing.