The Legal 500

Musat & Asociatii is ‘among the best in town’ for energy matters, and is noted for its ‘excellent service level and great industry, legal and regulatory framework knowledge’. It recently advised Enel Green Power on the development of three wind farms totalling 310MW, and also acted on the €1.3bn Tarnita-Lapustesti hydropower plant project. George Musat is ‘a real team leader’, practice co-head Luminita Popa ‘runs a good team’, and fellow co-head Miruna Suciu is ‘a powerhouse lawyer in energy and M&A’. Cleopatra Leahu was promoted to the partnership.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen has ‘one of the most experienced’ energy practices in Romania, which encompasses the full range of energy and natural resources matters. Mandates included advising an oil and gas company on offshore petroleum exploration, and assisting Chinese parties with the acquisition of 50MW photovoltaic power plants. Other clients include GDF Suez Energy Romania and Polyus Gold International. Gabriela Cacerea co-heads the practice alongside the ‘very experienced and reliable’ Ruxandra Bologa.

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s team is praised for ‘going beyond the pure legal issues’. The team is an adviser to CEZ, which it is currently representing on the second phase of a 600MW wind farm project. It also represents Energy Holding on various corporate and regulatory matters, and is acting for Gabriel Resources on a €4bn gold mining project. Irina Moinescu is ‘very responsive and rigorous’, and, on the contentious side, Ioana Gelepu and Sorin Vladescu are recommended.

CMS’ team is led by corporate partner John Fitzpatrick and includes project finance specialist Simon Dayes. In 2012, it advised Iberdrola Energias Renovables on the second phase of a 1,200MW wind farm development; and LJG Green Source Alpha on a 45MW solar power plant. It also acts for EBRD in project finance matters.

Dentons advised GDF Suez on the acquisition of its first wind farm in Romania, and the Monsson Group on the sale of a 108MW wind farm to German electricity producer STEAG. It is also advising clients on the acquisition and development of solar energy parks. Practice head Claudiu Munteanu Jipescu has ‘extensive experience on the corporate side and is very dedicated to the client’.

Kinstellar’s team is ‘co-ordinated, experienced, and delivers swift and easy-to-understand solutions’. It is acting for E.ON Romania on gas distribution and electricity matters, as well as for Iberdrola on nuclear energy issues and a range of wind and solar energy developments. Practice head Stefan Botezatu is ‘quite a remarkable lawyer who has the ability to combine perfectly an in-depth and broad legal knowledge with a practical approach’.

Peli Filip is ‘among the best energy law firms in Romania’. The team is currently acting on the development, sale and acquisition of various wind farms, totalling over 900MW. It is also advising OMV Petrom on the development of an 800MW combined-cycle co-generation plant. Practice head Cristina Filip is ‘the best energy lawyer in Romania’. Filip and Monica Iancu ‘make an excellent team’.

Popovici Nitu & Asociatii is particularly recommended for renewable energy work. It is advising Filasa International on a €780m investment in 11 wind farm, and acts for a range of clients on other wind farm and photovoltaic projects. Ernest-Vigil Popovici and Vlad Neacsu are recommended.

Schoenherr si Asociatii SCA is advising clients such as Verbund and EDP Renewables Europe on the development and acquisition of wind farms, and acting for Samsung Deutschland and Edison on the development of solar PV parks. The team is also advising the European Commission on the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive. Monica Cojocaru and Markus Piuk are the key partners.

White & Case, Pachiu SCA is ‘definitely the firm to bring on board for cutting-edge projects’. The group continues to advise EnergoNuclear on the development of Romania’s €4bn nuclear power plant. It is also acting on the development of wind farms and photovoltaic projects. Practice head Delia Pachiu is ‘a resourceful lawyer, with remarkable insight and vast experience in the field’.

Buzescu Ca provides energy trading advice to energy companies, such as Gazprom Marketing and Trading, and global investment banks including Merrill Lynch Commodities. It also advised Beach Energy and Independent Resources on farm-out agreements relating to oil and gas exploration. Managing partner Peter Buzescu is ‘very organised’, Corina Papuzu is ‘technically very well prepared’, and Magda Alexandru has ‘solid legal expertise’.

Clifford Chance Badea is ‘highly knowledgeable’ on energy matters, and is particularly active within the wind and solar sectors. It has been advising EDP Renováveis on the development of a 230MW wind farm, and recently acted for Eco Silak in relation to hydropower micro-projects. Madalina Rachieru is ‘highly professional, proactive and always able to provide the right piece of advice’.

DLA Piper Dinu SCA’s ‘top-level professional skills and knowledge of local peculiarities is a perfect mix for doing business in Romania’. The group recently acted for OMV Trading on matters including power purchase agreements and regulatory issues, and advised Enel Green Power Romania on the acquisition of a number of wind farms. Ramona Volciuc-Ionescu is ‘very sharp’.

RTPR Allen & Overy (Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP)’s energy team recently advised a strategic investor on the acquisition of an oil and gas company. It is also active in the wind and photovoltaic sectors. Costin Tărăcilă, Victor Pădurari and Mihai Ristici are the key partners.

Voicu & Filipescu SCA has ‘thorough knowledge of the Romanian energy sector’. In 2012, it advised Belgian company Electrawinds on the acquisition of a 123MW wind farm in Romania. It continues to advise German oil and gas company SET Select Energy. Daniel Costea and Marta Popa are the practice co-heads.

Wolf Theiss’ ‘service is fantastic; it always responds promptly, its knowledge in the field is excellent and it is very well connected’. The team is noted for its renewable energy expertise, and recently advised Vestas on its €924m investment in 20 wind farm projects totalling 600MW. Other clients include Lukerg, Kelag and Gemini. Ciprian Glodeanu is the standout lawyer.

Anghel Stabb & Partners provides ‘a responsive, commercial and no-nonsense service, which is also exceptional value for money’. The team acts for biogas company Ener-G, and advised Thetford Avanti on the development of a wind farm. Monica Biciusca and David Stabb provide ‘first-rate, timely and well-balanced legal assistance’.

bpv Grigorescu Stefánicá’s ‘excellent’ team advises E.ON on all matters concerning the 800MW BPC Braila project. Other clients include Regal Petroleum and Ener-G. Anca Albulescu heads the team, and managing partner Catalin Grigorescu is ‘a very experienced lawyer with excellent communication skills’.

Bostina & Associates is active across the solar, wind and hydropower sectors. Its experience includes acting for Windexpert on a 600MW wind farm. Dana Dunel-Stancu heads the practice.

Bulboaca & Asociatii is noted for its renewable energy expertise. It continued to advise a consortium of energy companies on the €1bn structuring and negotiation of an operational agreement for a 700MW wind farm project. It also advised Martifer Group and Windkraft Simonsfeld on the sale of wind farms. Cosmin Stavaru is the key partner.

D&B David si Baias provides corporate advice to OMV Petrom, and acted for Eni in a competition case relating to an alleged cartel in the gasoline market. Anda Rojanschi and Sorin David are the key contacts.

Eversheds Lina & Guia is advising Altergie on the development of two photovoltaic plants, and continues to act for Eco2 on the greenfield development of a biomass project. Christian Lina heads the practice.

Gide Loyrette Nouel’s client base includes GDF Suez, Expert Petroleum and Solveo Energie. In 2012, the team advised on the acquisition of wind farms and photovoltaic plants. Bruno Leroy and Andreea Toma are the main partners.

Hammond, Bogaru and Associates SCPA has expertise in electricity and renewables, particularly the photovoltaic and wind sectors. Nicholas Hammond heads the group.

McGregor & Partners S.C.A.’s strengths lie in wind, solar and hydropower. It recently acted on the development of a 70MW wind farm.

Pachiu & Associates advised GE Energy and Prowind on the €100m development of several onshore wind farms, and also represented a US company in its bid for oil and gas exploration concession licences. Delia Vasiliu is the main contact.

Platis Bazilescu LLLP provides corporate support to clients in the wind energy sector, such as Enolia Frey Nouvelles Energies, and energy traders including Sencap. Senior associate Radu Ionescu heads the team.

Vernon | David recently advised on the potential acquisition of a large wind farm. It also provides general support to energy sector clients such as Xannat Minerals, TMK and BP. Daniela David and Diana Neagu jointly lead the practice.

Vilau & Mitel advised Eurocape New Energy on the development of a €138m wind farm, and assisted petrochemicals business Oltchim with obtaining guarantees for its €424m investment programme. Sorin Mitel and Dragos Vilau are the practice co-heads.

Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu Attorneys at Law is advising Vimetco Power on the development of a 250MW combined-cycle gas turbine power plant. Its expertise also includes solar and wind energy. Ioana Racoti is the main contact.