The Legal 500

The six-lawyer team at Andrékó Kinstellar is led by managing partner Csilla Andrékó, who is leading the advice to Matrai concerning the financing for a new power plant with a transactional value of €1bn. The team is also advising a banking conglomerate (including OTP Bank and Unicredit Bank Hungary) on the restructuring of the Budapest power plant, as well as OTP on the financing of a major wind power plant. Other international clients include RBS and Barclays Bank.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s team has grown to include 11 lawyers. It advised Hypo Investment Bank on a sale and leaseback financing involving Tesco, as well as advising on the financing of a major green energy power plant. Erika Paapp is recommended.

Faludi Wolf Theiss continues to work on high-profile matters, advising MVM on the €63m Bakonyi Power Plant financing, and also advising two of the major banks in Hungary, MKB Bank and OTP Bank, on the financing of a major office development. Senior associate Gábor Erdos heads up the department.

Horváth & Partners DLA Piper’s team deals with a wide and varied range of matters. The eight-strong team counts the Ministry of Finance and Hochtief Facility Manangement as clients. Practice head Péter Györfi-Tóth recently acted for several governmental bodies on aspects of the construction of a new line on the Budapest metro network, and is also leading the advice to a consortium on the financing for several PPP projects.

The four-fee-earner team at Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie, led by Pál Takács, has good relationships with a range of domestic banks and property developers. It advised OTP Bank Nyrt and MKB Bank Zrt on the proposed financing for the acquisition of a shopping centre in Russia with a value of $44m; and also acted for major property developer Autóker Holding on restructuring issues. Senior associate Dusán Lásztity is noted for his ‘outstanding knowledge and attitude’.

Péter Köves and Gábor Felsen lead the team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners. The former advised a consortium involved with the development of the M3 motorway, while the latter handled a €23.5m refinancing deal for Zala Park, a major business centre. The team also advised Immobilia Real Estate and Development on its plans to borrow €147m to invest in a new development in Budapest.

The hire of Zoltán Varga, former General Counsel at CIB Bank, as a partner has helped Nagy és Trócsányi cement its relationship with the major Hungarian bank, which it regularly advises on real estate investment matters. The team regularly receives mandates through US heavyweight Latham & Watkins LLP and, through its membership of the Lex Mundi network, also works with Uría Menéndez.

Oppenheim’s team has also been involved in advising parties bidding for involvement in the M3 motorway development. It regularly acts for large construction companies.

The nine-strong team at Réczicza White & Case LLP advised Hungary’s national electricity company, MVM, on several matters including a €150m refinancing deal with the EIB to extend the country’s electricity network and the financing of one of its subsidiairies, a power plant. It has also handled work for Unicredit and Klépierre.

The ‘well-prepared’ team at Siegler Law Office/Weil, Gotshal & Manges has a longstanding relationship with MKB Bank, regularly advising it on financing issues for construction and development, and also acts for OTP Bank. It recently acted for Commercial Metals in relation to a €90m project financing deal.

Erös Üqyvédi Iroda / Squire Sanders & Dempsey (US) LLP acts on energy and real estate deals, and often advises investors involved in major real estate projects.

Gide Loyrette Nouel advised long-term client Hypo Real Estate Bank on a new €130m refinancing deal, and also advised ProLogis, the major industrial real estate company.

Bihary, Balassa & Partners Attorneys at Law has experience in real estate projects. Managing partner Tibor Bihary and Ágnes Balassa deal with project finance mandates.

CHSH Dezsö has added UniCredit Bank Hungary to its client list. The team was also appointed to the Erste Bank Hungary panel, with Edina Nagy advising it on several restructuring matters.

Morley Allen & Overy Iroda’s experience includes infrastructure projects.

The team at Noerr & Partners Law Office handles a steady flow of real estate projects. István Rozgonyi-Tóth advises on financing matters.

Partos & Noblet in co-operation with Hogan Lovells International LLP advises on project financing for major property development companies.

Schoenherr has a solid relationship with many banks and property development companies in Hungary.

At Szecskay Attorneys at Law, Judit Budai concentrates on project finance transactions for banks.