The Legal 500

Local firm Nagy és Trócsányi has a strong dispute resolution focus. Péter Nagy leads the team, which acted for the Hospital of Municipality of Hódmezovásárhely and has also been involved in high-profile matters for OTP Bank and CIB Bank, the two largest banks in Hungary, as well as representing Coca-Cola HBC Magyarország Kft in a tax dispute.

Tamás Éless leads the team at Oppenheim, which worked on a €640m professional liability case for Deloitte, as well as advising KESZ Group on corporate governance issues. The team also won work from prestigious new client CIB Bank.

Szecskay Attorneys at Law has been representing Slager Radio Zrt and Danubius Radio Brt in a high-profile case before the Metropolitan Court. It also acted for the Republic of Hungary, long-term client L’Oréal, and K&H Bank. András Szecskay leads the team.

The eight-strong team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP saw the loss of former practice head Milán Kohlrusz to Réczicza White & Case LLP, but continues to receive instructions from a wide range of international clients. It advised Samsung Electronics in a copyright dispute, and also acted for the Southeast Europe branch of General Motors.

The ‘leading lawyers’ at Erös Üqyvédi Iroda / Squire Sanders & Dempsey (US) LLP provide a ‘very good service’. ‘Experienced’ lead partner Judit Keleman acted for Budapest Bank in a case before the Metropolitian Court, and also represented Tesco in a dispute. ‘Solid and tactically good’ senior associate Artúr Tamási was involved in an arbitration case concerning the repayment of a $56m loan for a Cypriot investment company.

Led by senior associate Gábor Bárdosi, the team at Faludi Wolf Theiss is noted for its ‘excellent industry knowledge’. It represented the subsidiary of a major international oil company in a multimillion-euro arbitration, and also acted for a major Hungarian energy company.

Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie has been busy advising the Hungarian subsidiary of a major car manufacturer on a supplier issue.

With an emphasis on financial regulation and telecoms litigation, the team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners draws on the resources of its broad referral network. Péter Lakatos is recommended.

The nine-strong team at Réczicza White & Case LLP benefited from the arrival of Milán Kohlrusz, previously at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP. The team worked closely with the firm’s New York office on a matter for Hungarian railway company MÁV. Department head Milán Kohlrusz led a matter for HJ Heinz Company, and the firm also represented new client Fiat Group Automobiles in a dispute worth €4m.

The team at Siegler Law Office/Weil, Gotshal & Manges acted for oil giant MOL in a series of cases. It also acted for Magyar Telekom, the major Hungarian media company, and assisted HBO with various employment disputes.

With particular expertise in IP and employment-related disputes, the ‘outstanding’ team at Simándi Bird & Bird is ‘commercially minded and gives concise advice’, and is exceptionally good at ‘anticipating changes in the legal environment’. It Recent highlights include representing EST MEDIA GROUP in trade mark disputes. Clients note András Lendvai for his ability ‘to give an easily understandable solution’.

Ádám Máttyus leads the department at Andrékó Kinstellar, as well as being head of corporate and M&A at the firm. It has experience in matters ranging from professional negligence to pensions arbitration.

The ‘flexible’ team at bnt Szabó Tom Burmeister Ügyvédi Iroda is noted for its ‘very high level of service’. It boasts FedEx, Hochtief Development, and railway construction company Wiebe as long-term clients, as well as being regularly instructed by the Republic of Hungary in major international matters. The team includes practice head Levente Szabó and Jan Burmeister, who is noted for his ‘good level of experience’, particularly on investment disputes.

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm continues to represent MTV, and gained two major clients in 2010, in international footwear company Sketchers and Agility Logistics. Gábor Damjanovic is head of the department.

The team at Noerr & Partners Law Office is recognised for its employment and tax-related disputes work. The firm uses its network of European offices to draw in cross-border work.

The four-partner team at VJT & Partners Law Firm assisted ING, a long-term client, on a range of matters.

Tamás Gödölle is the key figure at Bogsch & Partners.

Burai – Kovács & Partners’ team is led by Janos Burai-Kovács, who is a well-regarded litigator.

CHSH Dezsö’s team includes a number of registered mediators.

Gide Loyrette Nouel had a busy 2010, handling liquidation and debt recovery matters among others. The newly reorganised department is headed by Daniel Gera, who led matters for BIC Hungary and Cautinho Caro + Co International.

Team head Attila Kovács at Kovács Réti Szegheö Attorneys at Law is a qualified mediator.

Agnes Fábry leads the team at PRK Partners, and has a particular focus on financial litigation and arbitration.

Partos & Noblet in co-operation with Hogan Lovells International LLP has a key client in the Aviva Group, and handles commercial and employment-related disputes.

Réti, Antall & Madl Landwell focuses on tax litigation.

Sándor Szegedi Szent-Ivány Komáromi Eversheds’ team dealt with a number of employment disputes in 2010 arising from construction project work. It also acted for Fornetti in a €3m dispute, and acted for SPAR as the defendant in a high-profile dispute with Delta Aft.

László Kelemen heads up the team at Szabo Kelemen & Partners Attorneys, which acts on major construction disputes.