The Legal 500

‘Solid, responsive and good value’, Polenak Law Firm remains ‘one of the leaders in Macedonia’. Tatjana Popovski Buloski, who is praised for her litigation skills, acted for Austrian electricity producer and transporter EVN Group in arbitration against the Republic of Macedonia. Other work included advising on infrastructure financings. Practice head Kristijan Polenak is ‘an experienced lawyer with good contacts in the community’.

Lawyers Antevski has longstanding collaborative relationships with several other law firms internationally and is part of several networks, exposing it to a range of foreign clients and cross-border matters. Zlatko Antevski leads the team, which advised Austrian company Ardex Baustoff on establishing an office in Macedonia; and also provided FCE Bank and the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries with legal opinions on several loan agreements. Clients comment that there is ‘a good cost-to-performance ratio’, and advice is ‘in clear language and can be understood quite easily’.

Recently rebranded Cakmakova Advocates continues to advise on corporate and commercial, banking and finance, and dispute resolution matters. The firm advised Fox International Channels Bulgaria and Italy on IP and competition issues; and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints on corporate governance, employment and tax issues. Biljana Cakmakova is recommended.

Debarliev, Dameski & Kelesoska Attorneys at Law advises foreign and domestic clients on large-scale construction, acquisition and financing projects. It is advising the City of Skopje on the BOT concession for the Ski Vodno Center. It also acted for Wienerberger, the world’s largest brick producer, on its merger with Tondach and related corporate and competition matters. Dragan Dameski is recommended.

Law Firm Knezovic & Associates has been busy advising the government on PPP projects. In collaboration with Gide Loyrette Nouel LLP, Dejan Knezovic’s team is advising on a project to build two hydropower plants on the River Crna. Other work includes advising Société Générale on local banking regulations, and providing ArcelorMittal with general corporate advice.

Cukic & Markov Law Company displays ‘profound legal knowledge’, ‘experience in different areas of law’ and ‘professional treatment of clients’. It was particularly busy in litigation, as well as incorporations, due diligence and banking. The team, led by Serjoza Markov and Lazar Cukic, advises large domestic clients such as Stopanska Banka and NLB Tutunska Banka, as well as international companies including Xerox and Hydropol.

Georgi Dimitrov Law Offices has been busy advising domestic clients, but is rated as ‘a great choice for foreign investors’, and so has also attracted several large foreign investment projects, most notably in the energy sector. Highlights included advising a major Italian company in a tender procedure regarding 44 small hydropower plants. Practice head Georgi Dimitrov has ‘extensive experience in corporate governance issues’, and on ‘the implementation of the Law on Trade Companies’. New partner Katarina Panova is also recommended.

Monevski Law Firm has strong experience handling projects in the energy sector and recently advised on the construction of numerous hydropower plants. The team is also advising the electricity company GEN-I on a range of matters including licensing, and acted for Aegean Power on general corporate governance matters. Litigation is also a strong suit for the team.

Biljana Panova is the founder of full-service law firm Law Office & Patent Bureau Panova, and is also a patent and trade mark attorney. The firm represents local and foreign corporate clients and individuals in the Macedonian courts. Clients include MAT Airways and Icelandic investment firm Milestone.

Advokatska kancelarija Pepeljugoski acts for a wide range of international and domestic clients across a number of core focus areas including finance, energy, IP and employment law. Valentin Pepeljugoski, who has particular expertise in IP matters, represents Microsoft, Louis Berger, Landesbank Berlin and a number of NGOs.

Law & Patent Office Joanidis acts for international clients on corporate, commercial, property, litigation, tax and privatisation matters. International clients include Unilever, Canon and Schneider Electric. The firm also often works alongside international law firms. Jovan Joanidis is the managing partner.

Mens Legis Law Firm is particularly active in due diligence matters, and has worked in collaboration with international law firms on large due diligence projects relating to the privatisation of state-owned companies in the energy and telecoms sectors. Other recent work includes advising Telecom Slovenije on its €190m acquisition of Cosmofon. Founder Ljubica Ruben is well known.

Trpenoski Law Firm has a solid practice advising clients such as Italian developer Gruppo GEO, Cosmofon and Stopanska Banka on general corporate and commercial matters.