The Legal 500

Highly regarded John Fitzpatrick heads up the TMT practice at CMS Cameron McKenna SCA. The firm acts for a number of large technology players across IP, disputes and general commercial matters, with clients describing the practice as ‘very client oriented’. The practice is advising BT Group on data protection and other regulatory and commercial issues arising from the company’s Romanian activities, as well as on various commercial agreements with Romanian counterparties. It also acted for GTS, the largest alternative telecom operator in Central Europe, on data protection and other regulatory issues related to international data transfers and shared data centres.

Musat & Asociatii’s IT clients praise the way the firm mixes ‘technical skill with sound legal advice’. The firm is particularly strong in the telecoms field. It advised Apple in relation to regulatory matters concerning the technical documentation required for distributing iPhone in Romania, as well as on the launch of the iTunes online stores in the country. The practice also advised Amazon in connection with the expansion of its software development centre in Iasi. Co-managing partner Catalin Baiculescu heads up the team; clients praise his ‘regulatory knowledge’ and ‘fabulous experience in telecoms’.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen boasts a ‘first rate’ IT practice with particular expertise in regulatory matters, competition issues and disputes work. The firm acted for telecom provider PCCW Global on its entrance to the Romanian market and regularly represents its client’s interests before the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications. Vodafone, Microsoft Romania and Nokia Romania are on the practice’s client roster. Adina Chilim-Dumitriu heads up the practice and is recommended.

Described as ‘outstanding’ by clients, the IT team at Popovici Nitu & Asociatii has a strong practice doing commercial work for IT and telecoms providers. The firm’s clients include Orange, GTS Telecom, UPS, Hewlett Packard, Siveco Romania, Asseco Group and Scop Computer. It represented Innova Capital in connection with the successful acquisition, through GTS Telecom, of Datek Telecom, an independent provider of telecom services and in particular system integration services. It is also acting for Orange Romania with regard to an investigation launched by the country’s Competition Commission.

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ‘professional’ IT team has a strong telecoms practice at its centre. The firm acts for Romtelecom, Romania’s largest telecoms provider, and assisted the company in connection with a public procurement contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to implement IT networks and systems necessary for Romania’s integration into the Schengen agreement. The practice’s clients include Cosmote and Ericsson. Sorin Vladescu heads up the IT and telecoms practice and is recommended.

bpv Grigorescu has particular expertise in outsourcing projects; clients report ‘good industry knowledge’. The firm worked with EXL Services Holdings on the establishment of a major business outsourcing project in Cluj. Siemens IT Solutions and Services and Omnicom Media Group are clients. Alexandru Rusu is ‘reliable, professional and business-oriented’.

Finance matters related to IT and telecoms are the area in which Badea Clifford Chance excels. The practice assisted Provus in connection with the acquisition of Romcard, a card processing and e-commerce company as well as acting on various deals in the advertising space. Managing partner Daniel Badea heads up the team.

Biris Goran has leveraged its excellent tax practice to develop a significant client base in the media sector. The firm has particular expertise in intellectual property and transactional matters. It is acting for Publicis Groupe with respect to the acquisition of the Romanian operation of Zenith, a leading media agency in the country. Daniel Visoiu heads up the practice and is respected for his ‘professional approach’.

Managing partner Sorin David is the name to note for IT work at D&B David si Baias. Clients remark on the firm’s ‘professional approach’. Competition and disputes work are areas of strength. The practice counts Orange Romania among its clients.

Clients praise the ‘prompt, knowledgeable and practical’ TMT team at Lina & Guia SCA. The firm acted for Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications in connection with the acquisition of the Romanian mobile operator Telemobil which operates on the local market under the Zapp brand name. It also represented the management of Siemens Enterprise Communications in connection with an MBO by local management. Cristian Lina leads the team.

Disputes work, competition and acquisitions are active areas for Peli Filip’s IT practice. The firm is advising a number of telecoms providers active in the Romanian market on investigations by the Competition Commission. The practice also advised RCS&RDS, a regional telecommunications and media group, in relation to the issuance of a high-yield bond. Clients praise the firm’s ‘flexibility and quality service’.

Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP’s IT practice is focused on transactional matters. The firm has a strong private equity client base. It acted for 3TS Cisco Growth Fund in connection with the acquisition of a minority state in Internet Corp, a Romanian based online media company as well as representing Swisscom on its exit from the country’s CATV and internet provision market via a share sale.

Clients report they are ‘very satisfied’ with the IT and telecoms practice at Salans. Intellectual property is an area of strength, and the firm counts television companies and internet service providers among its client list. Managing partner Anda Todor is the name to note.

Vernon | David has good capability in trade mark and disputes work in the TMT space; clients are impressed with the firm’s ‘commercial awareness’. Ericsson, Raycap and Cosmorom count among the practice’s clients. Managing partner Charles Vernon is the key contact.

Ana Anghel heads up the TMT team at Anghel Stabb & Partners. The firm has particular expertise in intellectual property matters. The firm advised Romtelemedia on the establishment of an internet marketing directory as well as working with Sales Focus International on IP issues.

Clients are impressed with the ‘proactive approach’ of the IT team at Buzescu Ca. It has a strong intellectual property practice and acts for Coca-Cola Romania on brand protection in relation to media programs and media campaigns initiated by third parties. Motorola is a client. Corina Papuzu is the name to note.

E. Platis C. Bazilescu LLLP’s work in the IT field extends to acting for telecoms companies and internet service providers. The practice acted for Infoclick on its successful tender before the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications for the appointment of a national provider in the field of directory enquiry services. Nicoleta Gheorghe is the key contact.

Noerr & Partners Law Office is a leading media firm in the German legal market, experience which it has brought to Romania. Intellectual property and general commercial work for large technology clients are at the core of its IT practice.

Stratula Mocanu & Asociatii is making a name for itself as the law firm to go to for radio and television companies in Romania. The firm has a strong contentious practice and is well regarded for its disputes work in the intellectual property field. It is also developing transactional expertise for its media client base.

Vilau & Mitel’s expertise lies in intellectual property work and transactional matters for its media and IT client base. The practice advised GED Capital Development in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake in Infopress Group, the biggest printing house in Romania. Clients include Datanet Systems, Mediapost, Romanian Phonogram Producers Union and Romtelecom. Madalina Paisa is the main contact for IT, telecoms and media work.

Voicu & Filipescu SCA has a broad-based practice in this area with clients ranging from telecoms companies to consulting firms. The firm advised Dell Systems on all legal issues pertaining to opening its Romanian subsidiary, and is currently assisting the client on corporate, contract and employment matters related to its day-to-day business activities. Capgemini Services is a key client. Marta Popa is recommended.