The Legal 500

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen’s ‘very experienced’ five-partner practice handles contentious matters in a variety of sectors, including real estate. The group recently acted for Alpha Bank in a €36m dispute relating to non-fulfilment of contractual obligations, and is representing Bucharest Municipality in a case regarding the ownership rights to Mogosoaia Palace and Bordey Park. Arbitration matters included acting as co-counsel alongside Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP to defend the Ministry of Public Finance against claims brought by foreign investors in the European Drinks Group. Ana Diculescu-Sova heads the practice, and Simona Neagu is ‘hardworking and proactive in finding solutions’.

Stoica & Asociatii Attorneys at Law’s highly respected dispute resolution practice is led by founding partner and former justice minister Valeriu Stoica, and also includes Cristiana Stoica. Clients have included Unilever, Deutsche Bank and BBC World Service.

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ‘passionate and committed’ five-partner dispute resolution team adopts ‘a fresh and dynamic approach’, and its expertise spans domestic and international commercial litigation or arbitration. It represented Alstom Group in challenging the award of €360m-worth of public procurement contracts, and acted for ČEZ in commercial disputes valued at €30m. It also defended River Invest against an €18m arbitration claim concerning its decision to terminate a development contract. Robert Rosu and Ioana Hrisafi are ‘commercially minded and results-oriented’.

Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu Attorneys at Law represented OMV Petrom in ten disputes totalling €10m concerning a plot of land in north Bucharest, and is acting for National Bank of Romania in two cases concerning the bank’s supervision of Romania’s financial institutions. It also represented GlaxoSmithKline Romania in a long-running trade mark cancellation claim. Calin-Andrei Zamfirescu is well known, and is recommended along with Stan Tîrnoveanu and Cosmin Vasile.

CMS’ ‘very good’ team successfully represented the state of Romania in a long-running, €147m arbitration with a Greek investor. It was also successful in representing the Bank of Cyprus in a criminal matter concerning an investigation by Romanian authorities into the acquisition of a large portfolio of shares in a Romanian financial institution. Managing partner Gabriel Sidere heads the practice, which recently recruited Iuliana Craiciu from Musat & Asociatii. Florin Dutu joined Voicu & Filipescu SCA.

Dentons acts in litigation and arbitration concerning IP, employment and contractual matters. Recent cases include representing a technology conglomerate in the contentious termination of an executive of a Romanian subsidiary, and acting for a leading water company in a contractual dispute before the ICC. Other clients include Rostock Wreck Removal Consortium, Continental Wind Partners, and Sidma. Group head Tiberiu Csaki is supported by counsel Delia Dragomir, who is ‘a good litigator’.

Well-respected dispute resolution boutique Dragne & Asociatii regularly acts for leading Romanian or international companies in multimillion-euro disputes. It recently represented Orange in various commercial contract disputes, and represented Bouygues in a case relating to a construction agreement. Ion Dragne is ‘a respected litigator who is well regarded by judges’. Andreia Dumitrescu is ‘a young and determined lawyer who puts a lot of energy into her work. She is proactive and has very good legal reasoning’. Other key partners include Delia Bosman and Stelian Garofil.

Musat & Asociatii’s ‘very dynamic’ seven-partner dispute resolution team has ‘strong knowledge and experience’, and is noted for its expertise in arbitration and all areas of litigation. It represented Enel Romania in a number of commercial litigation cases, including a multimillion-euro liability case against a subcontractor. It is also representing Discovery Communications Europe in a multimillion-dollar dispute with a communications provider concerning the broadcasting rights of several TV channels in Romania. The group is also acting in various ICC arbitrations, mainly relating to construction matters. This ‘very efficient team’ includes managing partner Gheorghe Musat; Nicolae Viorel Dinu, who has ‘strong written and advocacy skills, and US experience’; international arbitration expert Luminita Popa; and practice head and former Supreme Court judge Gheorghe Buta.

Popovici Nitu & Asociatii’s practice spans seven core areas: commercial claims, property disputes, regulatory and public procedures, tax litigation, IP disputes, and international arbitration. The team acts in various contentious matters against the Romanian state and state-owned entities such as Hidroelectrica, and also represented Hewlett-Packard in real estate and IP cases. ‘Very clever and tough litigator’ Ciprian Dontu heads the 14-strong team.

Buzescu Ca acted for Actavis Group in a dispute with Novartis regarding the annulment of 36 marketing authorisations, and represented Wizz Air in litigation and arbitration against Timişoara Airport. Managing partner Peter Buzescu shows ‘determination, tenacity, honesty and fearlessness’, and Adrian Tomescu is recommended for his commitment.

Daniel Badea and Nadia Badea lead Clifford Chance Badea’s team, which acted for a global investment bank in connection with white-collar-crime matters, and represented Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors in matters concerning a tender for the construction of the Constanta breakwater port extension.

D&B David si Baias represented Orange in its bid to annul the Competition Council’s €38m fine against the company, and acted for Mivan in various real estate disputes. Dan Dascalu head the practice.

Noerr’s recent work includes representing a major discount retailer in a multimillion-euro civil liability tort claim, and acting for an engineering company in a dispute concerning the public procurement process for an environmental project. The group is also involved in various insolvency proceedings. Alexandru Ene is the key partner.

Peli Filip has ‘a very dedicated and hardworking team of young and enthusiastic lawyers’. In 2012, it represented an international real estate developer in arbitration relating to the termination of a FIDIC construction agreement; and a leading energy company in an ICC arbitration. Cătălin Alexandru heads the team, which has ‘the courage to take an innovative approach’.

RTPR Allen & Overy (Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP) acted for Greif Flexibles in various contentious matters, including one in the High Court of Cassation and Justice concerning €2m in disputed tax obligations. It also represented Profi Rom Food and Vodafone in various cases. Practice head Christian Gavrila left to establish his own law firm, but of counsel Lucian Mihai joined from Wolf Theiss.

Schoenherr si Asociatii SCA has ‘a strong team with very good capabilities’, and is active across matters such as employment, insolvency and construction law. In 2012, it represented OMV Petrom in an €80m commercial arbitration, and is acting for the same client in a challenge against the Competition Council’s decision to fine the company €110m for an alleged regulation infringement. The team also acted for Dr Oetker in a dispute with the National Authority of Consumer Protection. Dan Costinescu and Bucharest managing partner Sebastian Gutiu are the key figures.

Stratula Mocanu & Asociatii’s ‘outstanding’ team continues to act for British American Tobacco in various cases before the Bucharest Court of International Commercial Arbitration. It also represented UPC Romania in various commercial litigation cases. Sorin Stratula and Cosmin Mocanu are ‘excellent litigators – there is no case that these gentlemen could not handle’.

Vilau & Mitel represents Romanian and foreign companies, banks, and multinational corporations in litigation, arbitration and mediation. Dragos Vilau and Magda Dima are the key litigators.

Voicu & Filipescu SCA provides ‘an outstanding service’, and has ‘in-depth knowledge of Romanian and international legislation’. The team recently acted for a Romanian bank accused of market manipulation, insider trading and transfer of privileged information. Florin Dutu and Mariana Popa are recommended.

Anghel Stabb & Partners represented Charles Taylor Ltd in arbitration proceedings relating to damage sustained by a Wizz Air aircraft due to a defective runway, and is advising the Cumpana Investment Group, formed of 60 investors, on potential claims against promoters of a real estate project. David Stabb, Ana Anghel and Monica Biciusca are recommended.

bpv Grigorescu Stefánicá recently represented Metalexportimport in a €25m dispute with the Ministry of Finance, and acted for CEC Bank in proceedings against a former employee regarding alleged theft and forgery. Other clients include Romprest and Bucharest Municipality. Daniel Stefanica is the key partner.

Biris Goran SCPA represented RoGrup in a €15m tax case against the Romanian Customs Office and the Ministry of Finance, and acted for Monsson Alma in a RON71m contractual dispute relating to wind farms. Raluca Năstase is the key contact.

Bulboaca & Asociatii’s strengths lie in antitrust, IP and commercial litigation. In 2012, the team acted for a large drinks manufacturer in a dispute regarding a well-known trade mark, and represented Martifer Group in a series of construction cases. Ioana Motofei-Radu and Valentin Berea are ‘very professional and knowledgeable’.

DLA Piper Dinu SCA’s ‘proactive team’ is praised for ‘not just solving an issue in an old-fashioned way but also coming up with new, innovative ideas’. Managing partner Marian Dinu is considered to be ‘one of the finest Romanian lawyers in the market’. The team acted for OMV Petrom in a commercial dispute with an energy supplier, and is defending Western Union against a number of claims relating to money transfers.

Eversheds Lina & Guia is particularly recommended ‘if one is looking for a business partner rather than simply a lawyer’. It is representing Danone in disputes with contractors; and RBS in consumer protection litigation. Diana Balanescu is praised for her dedication, Sorin Susnea is ‘an excellent and experienced trial lawyer’, and managing partner Christina Lina has ‘a keen business sense and ability to spot the issues with the highest impact’.

Kinstellar is ‘extremely responsive, easy to work with, and works well with international counsel and clients’. It represented Siemens in a dispute with General Electric Medical System Romania and Medist Imaging, as well as in an arbitration against Proimsat. Practice head Stefan Botezatu is recommended, as is the ‘smart and energetic’ Bogdan Bibicu.

In 2012, Platis Bazilescu LLLP represented Olympus Dairy in shareholder disputes, and SMS Meer in VAT litigation. Cristina Bazilescu is the key contact.

Vernon | David continues to represent McDonald’s in labour law and commercial disputes; and The Coca-Cola Company in tax litigation. In 2012, it acted for SAB Miller in an IT dispute. The team regularly acts for TMK, and acted for the client to challenge a €1.5m fine imposed by the environmental authorities. Dana David is the key partner.

White & Case, Pachiu SCA’s team continues to flourish under the leadership of new team head Peggy Suica-Neagu. The team acted for Lukoil Romania to annul a €30m fine issued by the Competition Council, and represented an engineering company in pursuing the enforcement of a foreign arbitral award. Suica-Neagu is ‘one of the most reputable and respected litigation lawyers in Romania’.

Wolf Theiss continues to act for Degi Millennium Tower, the Romanian subsidiary of a major British investment fund, in an insurance indemnity claim. Other clients include Raiffeisen Bank and Swarovski. Counsel Ligia Popescu is the key partner.

Andra Musatescu Law & Industrial Property Offices’ strengths lie in IP and IT disputes. The team routinely undertakes complex trade mark cases for clients such as EMI.

Stan Dragomir heads Dragomir & Asociatii Law Firm’s dispute resolution practice, which acts in privatisation and construction cases.

Drakopoulos Law Firm recently represented BP in a dispute with a local company, and acted for Nestlé in cases against Mars and Unilever. Valentin Cocean is recommended.

Hammond, Bogaru and Associates SCPA’s debt recovery practice includes contentious element. The team also acted for Romanian Airport Services in a €2m case following damage to an aircraft. Cristian Bogaru is recommended.

Mararu & Mararu undertakes litigation across a number of disciplines, including public procurement, corporate and insolvency law. Ioan-Bogdan Mararu is the main partner.

McGregor & Partners S.C.A.’s core strength lies in construction disputes. Practice head Bioana Berchi recently led in a case relating to the construction of a road bypass for a Romanian city. It also advised an international auction house on a dispute with a bidder.

Laurentiu Pachiu and Adriana Dobre are the key partners at Pachiu & Associates. In 2012, they acted for a party in a dispute with the Romanian authorities concerning an aviation accident.

Boutique firm Soimulescu, Dragan-Costin & Partners exclusively focuses on construction disputes. Recent matters include acting in a €17m case for a joint venture contractor in connection with the Arad bypass. Other clients include Strabag, Alpine and Athena. Oana Soimulescu and Mona Soltan are recommended.