The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Wolf Theiss - Zagreb branch is a first tier firm,

Wolf Theiss – Zagreb branch provides ‘prompt, clear and business-oriented legal advice’, and its cross-border clients value the firm’s network across the CEE. Recent instructions include acting for investment houses as borrowers of acquisition financing, and acting for Erste Bank Group to recover a €26m construction loan. The firm is also advising UniCredit Bank Austria as lender of a secured financing package for Zapadni trgovački centar d.o.o. to develop its West Trade shopping mall in Rijeka, and continues to advise Citigroup Global Markets on the acquisition of a loan portfolio from Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International. Dora Gaži Kovačević heads the team, in which senior associates Vedrana Iveković and Dalibor Valinčić are valued contributors. Luka Tadić-Čolić and ‘very reliable’ managing partner Ronald Given are also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Wolf Theiss - Zagreb branch is a first tier firm,

Wolf Theiss – Zagreb branch’s ‘prompt, clear and business-oriented legal advice’ spans general corporate, commercial and transactional matters, as well as competition, labour and tax law. Recent transactions include advising Alpha poslovno savjetovanje d.o.o. on acquiring a stake in Dokument IT, and advising NYSE-listed Commercial Metals Company on the divestiture of a steel mill following financial restructuring of its local holding company. Managing partner Ronald Given is valued as a team leader and dealmaker. The team is deep in quality associates: Dora Gaži Kovačević is ‘a very approachable, hardworking, creative lawyer with in-depth knowledge of various legal fields’, and Silvije Cvjetko is ‘reliable, responsive’, has ‘strong negotiating skills’ and is fluent in German and English. Luka Tadić-Čolić heads the team, Vedrana Iveković is ‘very sharp, proactive and business-oriented’, and Saša Jovičić is valued for IP work as well as his problem-solving ability. Aleksandra Raach and Danijel Pribanić joined Karanovic & Nikolic.

Within Dispute resolution, Wolf Theiss - Zagreb branch is a second tier firm,

Wolf Theiss – Zagreb branch’s clients include Arenaturist, which it is defending against a minority shareholder action; the team won the initial case, which has gone to appeal. Other cases include litigation and arbitration variously arising from failed privatisations and business relationships. Dalibor Valinčić heads the team.

Within Privatisation, projects and energy, Wolf Theiss - Zagreb branch is a first tier firm,

The team at Wolf Theiss – Zagreb branch is ‘very experienced and up-to-date with both relevant legislation and judicial and business practises’, and is able to staff local and cross-border transactions and projects across the transport infrastructure, renewable energy and oil and gas sectors. It advised one of the consortia bidding for the PPP tender to develop and operate a new passenger terminal at Zagreb International Airport. It is also advising a client on a potential tender bid on the privatisation of a port in the Balkan region. In the energy sector, the firm has been retained by Vestas Central Europe to advise on establishing sustainable operations in Croatia and recently advised EVN Croatia Plin on procurement laws. Associates Ira Perić Ostojić and the ‘very approachable and reliable’ Silvije Cvjetko, who heads the team, are the key figures, with senior associate Saša Jovičić also contributing.

Within Real estate and construction, Wolf Theiss - Zagreb branch is a second tier firm,

Wolf Theiss – Zagreb branch is ‘very responsive and available’, and provides ‘clear and business-oriented legal advice’. The team is advising Leonhard Moll Betonwerke on a complex proposal to lease a railway sleeper factory from bankrupt Croatian entities, and continues to advise investor Bruno Gantenbrink on the purchase of forest following a similar transaction previously. The team advised Movieplex Kina on several lease agreements for multiplex cinemas. Construction financing and advice to investors are also areas where the group has experience. Slaven Šego heads the team. Saša Jovičić and Ronald Given are recommended for corporate real estate, and associate Silvije Cvjetko has ‘very in-depth knowledge’ and ‘presents complex issues in a simple and understandable way’. Former team leader Danijel Pribanić joined Karanovic & Nikolic.

Within Shipping, Wolf Theiss - Zagreb branch is a first tier firm,

Wolf Theiss – Zagreb branch is ‘excellent – very flexible, expert and efficient’, and clients also appreciate the firm’s office in Rijeka. The practice’s expertise ranges from corporate support to container ports to disputes over the impounding of vessels. Saša Jovičić is the lead legal adviser to International Container Terminal Services Inc for the Adriatic Gate container terminal. Other clients include APM Terminals Management BV, Lombard North Central plc and Mitsubishi Corporation. Rijeka-based attorney Ira Perić Ostojić is able to ‘transform difficult legal problems into normal language’. Zagreb-based Dalibor Valinčić is also recommended.