The Legal 500

Andrékó Kinstellar’s ‘forward-thinking’, 13-strong group had a prosperous year that bucked the market trend, and played a key role in major transactions in the automotive and TMT sectors. It advised Turk Telekom on its €221m acquisition of Invitel’s CEE wholesale operation, and FN Cable Holdings on the sale of Hungarian distressed assets. A close referral relationship with leading international firms provides the practice with a steady stream of transactions. The ‘hardworking’ Ádám Máttyus provides ‘thorough legal analysis of issues’, and has a ‘business-friendly approach’.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s ‘very strong’ M&A group has an excellent track record in cross-border transactions and is able to leverage the network’s offices across Eastern Europe. Group head Anikó Kircsi, ‘the driving force behind the firm’, is ably supported by Ferenc Mátrai, who has advised a number of venture capital funds including Finext Startup and OTP on investments in the TMT sectors; and Eva Talmacsi, who divides her time between London and Budapest. Other clients include Siemens, Advent International and Sun Capital.

Horváth & Partners DLA Piper advised a major energy group on the sale of its stake in a Budapest-listed company, but has been more active on capital markets and financing transactions than corporate work of late. The ‘very commercial’ Gábor Molnár oversees the group, which has ten lawyers after the recruitment of senior associate Lívia Németh from Morley Allen & Overy Iroda in late 2010.

Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie is ‘an outstanding firm on M&A transactions’, and is highly regarded for ‘strong drafting skills’ and ‘excellent levels of service’. This ‘diligent’ group recently advised Bank of China (Hungária) Hitelintézet on its acquisition of BorsodChem, and Ákos Fehérváry advised Abbott Laboratories (Hungary) on a complex separation and transfer of business operations following its acquisition of Solvay. Pál Takács and Ines Radmilovic are the practice co-heads.

Lakatos, Köves and Partners has witnessed a decline in M&A transactions since the departure of Clifford Chance from Hungary, but it continues to source work from its former owner’s worldwide network. The group played a key role in one of the most significant acquisitions in 2010, having advised Permira and BorsodChem on the latter’s takeover by Wanhua Industrial Group. 2011 was a year of few major regional highlights, but the firm acted for AEW on the sale of its property management business to BNP Paribas. Richard Lock heads the practice.

Oppenheim’s ‘innovative’, ‘business-minded’ and ‘professional’ M&A team ‘strives hard to stay at the top of the market’. It recently advised Allianz Hungaria Insurance on the sale of Allianz Bank Hungary to FHB Bank Penta Investments, and represented TEVA Pharmaceuticals and Tengelmannon in respective pursuits of targets in Hungary. Mihály Barcza is the key contact. The firm retains close ties to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

Regional, buy-side M&A is a fundamental aspect of Réczicza White & Case LLP’s practice. It advised regular client Mid Europa Partners on its acquisitions of a 49.05% stake in Waberer’s Holding and a 65% share in Kent Hospital, both matters overseen by Rob Irving. The team also advised Invitel Holdings on its acquisition of FiberNet and assisted Falcon Group with the €574m auction sale of Ceské Radiokomunikace. Edward Keller has ‘a strong understanding of financial matters and transactional tactics’. Zsuzsa Kovács and Kinga Szabó left the firm in 2010.

Siegler Law Office/Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ strong relationship with energy groups, private equity firms and construction companies has resulted in a steady flow of transactional work for the three-partner team. László Nagy continues to advise longstanding client MOL on takeover defence; the ‘experienced’ Konrád Siegler advised FHB Jelzálogbank on its planned acquisition of all shares in Allianz Bank Hungary; and David Dederick advised French developer Vinci Group on its bid for Hochtief Airport AG. Clients applaud the firm’s ‘broad acquisitions expertise’, ‘extremely quick response times’ and ‘effective network’.

Eördögh Bird & Bird lost key figure András Lendvai to Kõvári and Tercsák – Salans Ügyvédi Iroda. In May 2011, Lendvai was replaced by Richárd Eördögh, an experienced corporate lawyer with a strong background in private equity who joined from a position as head of legal affairs at Chayton Capital in London. Eördögh subsequently became managing partner of the firm following the departure of Andrea Simándi. Lexmark and Richemont are key clients.

Erös Üqyvédi Iroda / Squire Sanders LLP’s advises Hungarian clients and international investors on domestic and cross-border M&A. Lead partner Ákos Eros recently advised Group DF on the $600m purchase of a 90.3% interest in OJSC Concern Stirol. Ákos Mester and Zsolt Fábián are the other names to note.

Faludi Wolf Theiss has picked up some notable new clients including American Airlines, TNS Hungary and ACN Inc. János Tóth and his team ‘provide solid advice’ on M&A, and recently acted for Sonova Holding and Alvogen Lux Holdings on prospective Hungarian healthcare and pharmaceuticals acquisitions.

Zoltán Forgó and Gábor Damjanovic lead Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm’s M&A practice, which promoted three new partners including the ‘meticulous’ and ‘well-organised’ Zsófia Füzi. The team attracted several new clients including FM Logistic Finext Startup and Helit. Clients have ‘full confidence in the team’, which provides clear answers and ‘perfect response times’.

Gide Loyrette Nouel’s Budapest office has become the central hub for the firm’s CEE transactions, and took on part of the work of the Serbian office. István Kovári heads the 11-lawyer team, which advised France Télécom on the privatisation of Telekom Srbije and acted for Lafarge in a complex joint venture.

Kõvári and Tercsák – Salans Ügyvédi Iroda significantly boosted its M&A standing by hiring András Lendvai from Eördögh Bird & Bird. He is a ‘first choice’ for clients when it comes to cross-border transactions and regional acquisitions. Clients also appreciate the team’s access to an international network.

Morley Allen & Overy Iroda has sourced a number of significant mandates from strategic investors through its broad international network. Highly recommended team head Zoltán Lengyel advised a foreign entity on acquiring an equity stake in a Hungarian chemicals company. Locally generated clients include Shell, OTP Bank and IKO.

Nagy és Trócsányi is ‘a strong and efficient local firm’, which supplements its own client base with referral work via the Lex Mundi network. Highlights for the team included advising Vink Holding BV on acquiring a Hungarian plastics company, and handling a merger of two Hungarian subsidiaries for Lexmark. Other clients include Scania, Kemira and Ramirent.

Widely regarded as Hungary’s ‘strongest local practice’, Szecskay Attorneys at Law advises foreign acquirers in Hungarian M&A transactions involving SMEs or larger entities. Name partner András Szecskay led advice to Škoda Holding on the creation of Ganz-Skoda, and Judit Budai advised Agrifutura Holding AG on divesting Agrifutura and ASI Zr.

Jan Burmeister heads bnt Szabó Tom Burmeister Ügyvédi Iroda’s ‘outstanding’ and ‘dynamic’ M&A team, which provides ‘thorough responses’ and has ‘a deep knowledge of Hungarian law’. It recently advised Faurecia on domestic consolidation and is representing several German developers on selling Hungarian subsidiaries.

Dr Arne Gobert and Dr Réka Ipacs handle the M&A mandates at Gobert & Partners Attorneys-at-law / Taxand. The team works closely with its banking and real estate colleagues on cross-border transactions in Europe.

Jalsovszky Law Firm assisted BorsodChem on issues arising from its takeover by Wanhua and also acted for BVfon Holding on the sale of its CEE operations. Pál Jalsovszky heads the group, which provides ‘a similar service to international law firms’.

Noerr advises on cross-border, distressed acquisitions for large European entities, and also handles purely domestic deals. It advised OTP’s venture capital fund PortfoLion Kockázati Tokealap-kezelo on two multimillion-euro investments in the Hungarian technology sector.

György Fehér leads PRK Partners’ ‘flexible’ team of five, which recently advised an Italian real estate investor on a potential venture in Hungary. It continues to act for Elliott Associates on media sector acquisitions.

Partos & Noblet remains active on cross-border deals, and recently guided ING Real Estate Finance through its merger with ING Bank. Other clients include Camoplast and international water treatment group, GLV.

Reti, Antall & Partners works closely with PricewaterhouseCoopers and handles demergers, joint ventures and international M&A.

Tamás Sándor’s team at Sándor Szegedi Szent-Ivány Komáromi Eversheds assisted ADT Group with a large share transfer, and Péter Komáromi handled cross-border M&A for Parker Hannifin.

Szabo Kelemen & Partners Attorneys advises multinational companies on the Hungarian elements of group-wide mergers and reorganisations, and has recently assisted domestic corporates with de-mergers. ING is a key client.

VJT & Partners has a substantial body of private equity clients, such as Euroventures and Bancroft. János Tamás Varga heads the ‘very professional’ group, which ‘focuses on the key issues’.