Wolf Theiss > Zagreb, Croatia > Firm Profile
Wolf Theiss Offices
EUROTOWER, 19TH FLOOR
IVANA LUCICA 2A
10000 ZAGREB
Croatia
Wolf Theiss > The Legal 500 Rankings
Croatia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Advising on cross-border corporate transactions in the technology sector, the team at Wolf Theiss maintains a multidisciplinary approach to its roster of domestic and international clients. Practice leader Luka Tadić-Čolić advises corporate clients and shareholders on their investments into Croatia, while Dora Gaži Kovačević has considerable experience in cross-border M&A and restructurings for venture capital investors and private equity clients. Specialising in energy financing and transactions, Saša Jovičić acts for international investors on domestic regulatory matters and buyouts. Marija Lalin is another key contact in the group and regularly assists Tadić-Čolić with due diligence and transaction structuring issues.Practice head(s):
Luka Tadić-Čolić
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Reliable support in the field of corporate law, quick responses, English-speaking lawyers and a good point of contact for international corporations.’
‘Luka Tadić-Čolić is responsive, has a practical approach and gave us good guidance when we did our first transaction in Croatia.’
‘Dora Gaži Kovačević and her team provided excellent advice that was fast, sound, pragmatic and business-orientated.’
‘Dora Gaži Kovačević is an outstanding lawyer with very good negotiation skills.’
Key clients
Mondelez
Austrian Post (Österreichische Post)
Jagex
Wettpunkt
Advent International Corporation
Bain Capital
Cambridge Mobile Telematics
Capital Management Partners
Clessidra
Rhenus
Stada Arzneimittel
Work highlights
- Advising Jagex, the leading developer and publisher of community-driven games, backed by global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG), in relation to its acquisition of Gamepires, a game development studio of 50+ experienced developers best known for its open world survival title SCUM.
- Advising Cambridge Mobile Telematics on the acquisition of Delaware telematics corporation Amodo and its wholly owned subsidiary in Croatia.
- Advising Rhenus Beteiligungs on the acquisition of the Croatian logistics services provider Trans Integral.
Croatia > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Acting for major domestic and international clients, Wolf Theiss handles a range of cross-border cases, including insolvency and related litigation proceedings, in addition to criminal fraud cases. Practice leader Borna Dejanović specialises in financial disputes, handling enforcement and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as administrative disputes and white-collar crime mandates. Josip Martinić handles shareholder disputes in the healthcare sector, civil litigations and injunctions, while Janko Duduković-Petyo assists with insolvency matters. Advisory work for Croatian management and consulting companies is another key area of expertise. Dalibor Valinčić left the firm in June 2023.Practice head(s):
Borna Dejanović
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team at Wolf Theiss possesses an exceptional blend of legal acumen and industry-specific knowledge. They approach cases not just as lawyers, but as strategic partners who grasp the intricacies of their clients’ businesses.’
‘Josip Martinić is nothing short of a legal virtuoso. His profound knowledge of the law and ability to interpret and apply it in real-world scenarios is truly remarkable.’
‘Borna Dejanović is a perfect guide in local litigation and helps foreign clients to deal with the challenges of local court practice.’
‘Perfect communication, professional approach and quick processing of requests. The responsive, experienced and professional team, including the partners and associates, are highly competent at a technical level.’
‘If you have a complicated dispute, this office is an exceptional choice. They have an excellent team, willing to look the case from all angles to find the best approach to win the case.’
‘Josip Martinić has strong legal expertise, combined with a great understanding of business and of market standards.’
‘Borna Dejanović is a talented, excellent and trustworthy lawyer. Highly competent and resourceful young professional.’
‘Josip Martinić is undeniably one of the leading real estate and dispute lawyers in the Croatian market. What truly distinguishes him is his commitment to continuous learning and his consistently innovative approach to transactions. With unparalleled negotiation skills and extensive dispute resolution experience, he holds a distinct advantage, effortlessly removing obstacles to the utmost satisfaction of his clients.’
Key clients
ExxonMobil
KIA Motors
Breton
Eurocomex
Loxley Public Company
Nichel Leghe
Gardenia Bakeries
Work highlights
- Representing Eurocomex Luxembourg in a set of complex disputes against a local vehicle distributor and its management, which involves criminal, enforcement and civil court proceedings aimed at recovering the shares of the local subsidiary that were fraudulently transferred by the local managers without the knowledge of the shareholders.
- Represented Breton in a high-profile dispute related to a failed investment into a stone processing plant in Croatia, allegedly compromised by the fraudulent and injurious misconduct of the client.
- Representing Gardenia Bakeries in a wide spectrum of parallel intertwined proceedings, to secure and attain the repayment of the funds unjustly transferred to an unaffiliated and unknown Croatian company, caused by a cyber fraud incident and fraudulent payment instructions.
Croatia > Employment Tier 1
With strength in its extensive regional coverage and robust local presence, Wolf Theiss’ team handles a wide range of employment and compliance mandates. Dora Gaži Kovačević leads the practice and advises on major corporate restructurings, management hiring and exist strategies, as well as providing general advice on labour law compliance issues. A ‘true expert’, Ira Perić-Ostojić handles union negotiations and HR restructuring strategies, while Berislav Drašković provides international clients with day-to-day employment-related advice on matters concerning cross-border transfer terminations.Practice head(s):
Dora Gaži Kovačević
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Ira Perić-Ostojić is a true expert in Croatian labour law and a true market leader. Her advice is reliable, fast, efficient and solution-oriented.’
‘Ira Perić-Ostojić has unparalleled experience in employment and labour matters and has been regularly advising us in all aspects of HR and labour law matters such as all day-to-day general labour law advice.’
‘Berislav Drašković is very knowledgeable, solution-oriented and reliable.’
‘The practice is extremely professional. Their collaboration is what makes them stand out.’
‘Ira Perić-Ostojić stands out. She is an insightful and proactive lawyer, well-versed in all legal areas applicable to our company, always providing top-notch counsel.’
‘The diversity of the team’s expertise has been very beneficial.’
‘Ira Perić-Ostojić has been very helpful, with a positive approach and availability. Berislav Drašković has been great support while being swift and to the point.’
‘The individuals that have worked with us have been outstanding. Collaborative, always ready to help, and I am fully confident their advice will be fully knowledgeable and compliant with all the law requirements.’
Key clients
Cambridge Mobile Telematics
TaskUs
ALSO Holding
ROCA Croatia
Arthrex
Mosaic Group
Mews
Teleperformance
Work highlights
- Advising ROCA on the shut down of their production facility in Croatia, which resulted in the termination of more than 250 employees, as well as on all other related labour law issues.
- Advising TaskUs Inc. on the acquisition of a Croatian provider of outsourced specialised services as well as on the related employment law matters such as management and compliance issues.
- Advising Mosaic Group in the process of setting up their new operations in Croatia, including all employment and immigration matters.
Croatia > Privatisation, projects and energy Tier 1
Counting domestic units of international companies among its key roster of clients, Wolf Theiss advises on large-scale rail and motorway development projects and crowd-investment project financing mandates. Saša Jovičić leads the team, handling the full range of renewable energy matters, while Ana Slovenec advises on cross-border energy-related transactions and financings. Sara Pavlović, who focuses on fuel regulation issues, due diligence and energy transition mandates, is another key contact in the group.Practice head(s):
Saša Jovičić
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
European Commission
Vermilion Energy
Algoma Central Corporation
Adriatic Gate Container Terminal
Global Ports Holding
Work highlights
- Advising the European Commission in relation to the NESOI (New Energy Solutions Optimised for Islands) project, which is aimed at supporting energy transition on islands of EU Member States.
- Advising Algoma Central Corporation on securing its rights under ship building contracts with the Croatian shipyards, Uljanik and 3. Maj, in the context of the pending insolvency of the shipyards.
- Advising Vermilion Energy on their successful participation in a tender for onshore oil and gas concessions in Croatia (exploration and production).
Croatia > Real estate and construction Tier 1
The ‘outstanding’ team at Wolf Theiss is well-placed to leverage the firm's footprint across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe to advise on cross-border real estate transactions and infrastructure projects. According to clients, practice leader Josip Martinić is ‘undeniably one of the leading real estate lawyers in Croatia’. Martinić advises domestic and international private investors on land acquisitions and large-scale project developments in the infrastructure and construction arenas. Marija Lalin is another key contact in the group.Practice head(s):
Josip Martinić
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Wolf Theiss boasts experience and a forward-thinking approach, distinguishing them in the industry.’
‘Josip Martinić ranks among the most outstanding legal professionals with whom we have had the privilege to collaborate or work with, in Croatia and elsewhere. His remarkable ability to provide tailored solutions for a wide range of real estate challenges, coupled with his consistently exceptional performance, truly distinguishes him as an exemplary attorney in the Croatian real estate market.’
‘Wolf Theiss is an outstanding law firm. They are very responsive and reliable. They have a large team, which makes Wolf Theiss the best choice for complex and cross-boarder real estate transactions.’
‘Josip Martinić stands out. As the main partner overseeing real estate and litigation matters at their Zagreb office, he brings unparalleled experience to the table at every deal. His exceptional efficiency, commercial approach and negotiation skills set him apart.’
‘Wolf Theiss stands out as a leading real estate firm in the Croatian market, a distinction primarily attributed to the exceptional work of Josip Martinić, who heads their real estate team.’
‘Josip Martinić is undeniably one of the leading real estate lawyers in Croatia. With unparalleled negotiation skills, he holds a distinct advantage. Particularly impressive is his ability to bring transactions to a close that would typically end due to various legal or commercial issues.’
Key clients
Avex Holdings, Inc.
ALSO
Work highlights
- Advising a US-based real estate investor in relation to a multi-hundred million EUR investment in the development and construction of a marina that will be located on the Čiovo peninsula.
- Advising the owners of one of the largest Croatian shopping malls on matters concerning financing, refinancing, and debt restructuring related to the shopping mall.
- Advising AVEX Holdings on the recovery of a loan by acquisition of the collateralized real properties in Croatia, owned by the borrower’s affiliated companies.
Croatia > Transport (including shipping) Tier 1
Wolf Theiss’s market-leading transport team operates from Rijeka, specialising in the full range of maritime law matters. Team head Ira Perić-Ostojić is renowned for her expertise in international trade, shipping agency services, concessions and other maritime domain issues. Managing container terminals, and handling ship-related investment, financing, and regulatory mandates are another core area of expertise for the firm. Regularly advising on various public procurement matters, Saša Jovičić is another key name in the practice. Borna Dejanović focuses on the contentious maritime cases, including arbitration, litigation and multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes.Practice head(s):
Ira Perić Ostojić
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
International Container Terminal Service
Global Ports Holding
Algoma Central Corporation
CLdN Ro-Ro
Jan De Nul Group
Merk & Merk Yacht Service Tribunj
Capital Management Partners
Work highlights
- Advising Adriatic Gate, a unit of the Philippine-based International Container Terminal Services, and concessionaire of the Rijeka Port container terminal, with respect to all ongoing shipping and maritime-related matters.
- Advising an international marine transportation company on the insurance coverage available in relation to a ship accident.
- Advising SITA Aeronautics, the world’s leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology, on its entry into the Croatian market.
Croatia > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2
Wolf Theiss continues to gain traction across a range of financing, restructuring and lending matters, and counts domestic and international banks and corporates among its key roster of clients. Luka Tadić-Čolić leads the practice and advises on financial transactions and minority shareholder issues, while Lucia Močibob assists on cross-border financing and capital markets projects. Mateja Jelačić, who advises on bilateral and syndicated lending and regulatory requirements issues, is another key contact in the group.Practice head(s):
Luka Tadić-Čolić
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Wolf Theiss is able to provide quick, tailor-made and highly professional advice.’
‘Luka Tadić-Čolić is a top professional. Easy to approach and pragmatic.’
‘Lucia Močibob has always been available to provide highest level of advice within often very tight deadlines. Very detailed and professional.’
‘Knowledgable and efficient.’
Key clients
Raiffeisen Bank International
Erste Group Bank
Blackstone
Citigroup
J.P. Morgan
Morgan Stanley
CVC Credit Partners
European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)
Finance in Motion
Work highlights
- Advising Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. on the update and increase of the EUR 1 billion Medium Term Note Programme (previously EUR 500 million), as well as international placement of the notes eligible for satisfaction of the regulatory capital requirements of the bank as minimum requirement for eligible liabilities (MREL).
- Advising Erste & Steiermärkische Bank d.d. in the process of update of the Erste Group Multi-Issuer EMTN Programme involving also Erste Group credit institutions from Austria, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia and the Preferred Senior Notes Retail Programme and issuance thereunder, both programmes structured for issuance of MREL eligible notes.
- Advising HPS Investment Partners and Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors as lenders in connection with a senior facilities agreement provided to SB Group, for the acquisition of a Belgian company, NGG.
Croatia > EU and competition Tier 2
Wolf Theiss’ competition practice sits within the firm's wider corporate and banking and finance department, frequently representing domestic and international clients before the Croatian Competition Authorities. The team advises clients on merger fillings and various competition-related administrative procedures. Widely renowned Luka Tadić-Čolić leads the Zagreb-based team, and arbitration and litigation expert Borna Dejanović regularly handles cartel and infringement matters, in addition to advising on the competition law aspects of corporate transactions.Practice head(s):
Luka Tadić-Čolić
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
RTL
Work highlights
- Advising RTL Group, a Luxembourg-based international media conglomerate, on the merger filing process in connection with the EUR 50 million auction sale of its shares in RTL Croatia to Central European Media Enterprises.
- Advising an international home care and beauty care producer as preferred local counsel for competition law issues in Croatia, including daily competition law advice and periodical training sessions and educational materials such as dawn raid guidelines.
- Advising a listed Croatian company in a project for the internal reorganisation of competition compliance procedures.
Croatia > Intellectual property Tier 3
Wolf Theiss sits within the firm's broader corporate and commercial law department, regularly advising inbound investors and companies on IP-related matters, including patent infringement cases, and boasting demonstrable experience in the TMT, entertainment and retail sectors. Luka Tadić-Čolić leads the team and Sara Pavlović assists with trademark-related issues, in addition to the IP elements of M&A transactions.Practice head(s):
Luka Tadić-Čolić
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Cambridge Mobile Telematics
Jagex
Booster Fuels
Work highlights
- Advising Cambridge Mobile Telematics on IP/IT aspects of its acquisition of a Delaware telematics corporation Amodo and its wholly-owned subsidiary in Croatia.
- Advising Jagex on the IP transfer agreements with third party contributors to the computer game developed by our client.
- Advising Booster Fuels on reshaping its commercial relationship with a key supplier of software development services based in Croatia, with a strong emphasis on the intellectual property aspects of the cooperation agreement.
Wolf Theiss > Firm Profile
The firm: Wolf Theiss opened its first office in Vienna in 1957 and soon established a reputation as one of the region’s leading law firms. The firm has since grown into a multinational team of approximately 390 lawyers, making it one of the largest integrated law firms in the region. It has offices* in Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Ukraine.
This presence on the ground is one of the firm’s key strengths. It works in a fast-moving part of the world that requires deep local knowledge and experience. By combining expertise with a strong international network, the firm is well-placed to handle complex cross-border transactions with a high degree of speed and flexibility.
Apart from its local offices in 13 CEE/SEE countries, Wolf Theiss also offers extensive regional experience in other countries in the region, such as Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
*The firm has regulatory frameworks within which it needs to comply. So by ‘presence’, we mean a legal form that is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in that country.
Areas of practice: Wolf Theiss’ full range of services covers financial services, competition and antitrust, compliance and investigations, corporate/mergers and acquisitions, employment law, energy and infrastructure, intellectual property and information technology, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, real estate and construction, regulatory and procurement, and tax. The firm’s dedicated practice teams provide in-depth specialist knowledge in their respective areas and collaborate closely to provide clients with seamless advice.
Croatia: Wolf Theiss has been advising clients on deals in Croatia since the early 1990s. Its work has included some of the most complex transactions involving Croatian companies – and it continues to build on its links in the region. The team has strengths in banking and finance, dispute resolution, as well as corporate, M&A, projects and energy. Wolf Theiss’ Croatian office comprises 18 lawyers (including 3 partners).
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial services | Lucia Močibob | ||
| Financial services | Luka Tadić-Čolić | ||
| Competition/antitrust | Luka Tadić-Čolić | ||
| Competition/antitrust | Nikola Božić | ||
| Corporate/M&A | Luka Tadić-Čolić | ||
| Corporate/M&A | Dora Gaži Kovačević | ||
| Corporate/M&A | Saša Jovičić | ||
| Corporate/M&A | Marija Lalin | ||
| Corporate/M&A | Berislav Drašković | ||
| Dispute resolution | Borna Dejanović | ||
| Dispute resolution | Josip Martinić | ||
| Dispute resolution | Janko Duduković-Petyo | ||
| Dispute resolution | Nikola Božić | ||
| Employment | Dora Gaži Kovačević | ||
| Employment | Ira Perić Ostojić | ||
| Employment | Berislav Drašković | ||
| Energy and infrastructure, and procurement | Saša Jovičić | ||
| Intellectual property | Luka Tadić-Čolić | ||
| Real estate | Josip Martinić | ||
| Regulatory | Ira Perić Ostojić | ||
| Regulatory | Saša Jovičić | ||
| Transport/shipping | Ira Perić Ostojić |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Mr Nikola Božić | Senior Associate (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss). | View Profile |
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Mr Borna Dejanović | Senior Associate (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss). | View Profile |
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Mr Berislav Drašković | Senior Associate (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss). | View Profile |
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Mr Janko Duduković-Petyo | Senior Associate (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss). | View Profile |
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Ms Dora Gaži Kovačević | Partner (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss), specialised in M&A/ Corporate and Employment… | View Profile |
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Mr Saša Jovičić | Partner (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss), specialized in corporate and commercial law,… | View Profile |
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Ms Marija Lalin | Senior Associate (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss) | View Profile |
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Mr Josip Martinić | Counsel (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss) | View Profile |
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Ms Lucia Močibob | Senior Associate (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss) | View Profile |
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Ms Ira Perić Ostojić | Consultant (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss), specialised in Life Sciences, Employment, Regulatory,… | View Profile |
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Mr Luka Tadić-Čolić | Partner (in cooperation with Wolf Theiss); specialised in Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 390 at this office : 18Languages
Croatian English German ItalianOther
Contact : Luka Tadic-Colic Other offices : Belgrade Other offices : Bratislava Other offices : Bucharest Other offices : Budapest Other offices : Kyiv Other offices : Ljubljana Other offices : Prague Other offices : Sarajevo Other offices : Sofia Other offices : Tirana Other offices : Vienna Other offices : WarsawDiversity
At Wolf Theiss, we strongly believe that in a global marketplace, a company that employs a diverse workforce (both men and women of several generations and from ethnically and racially diverse backgrounds) is better able to understand the marketplace it serves, offers better and more unique perspectives and thus, is better equipped to thrive in that marketplace than a company that has a more limited range of employee demographics.
For us, uniting people and overcoming cultural divisiveness is part of our philosophy. By respecting each other, we have created a unique workplace camaraderie that spills over into our daily lives. Wolf Theiss considers itself to be politically liberal, not biased in any direction and imposing no restrictions on its workforce in terms of political view, religion, way of life, race, language and sexual orientation.
Our leadership team is comprised of 35% female partners, one of them within our management board, and 48% of our senior lawyers are women. We strive to stand at the forefront in the region, when it comes to gender diversity. We were one of the first law firms in the region to implement a maternity policy. Innovation initiatives at our firm are driven by female talent. We also encourage our lawyers to spend part of their daily work on firm-wide non-billable initiatives.
Wolf Theiss is proud to have been awarded the Best in Central Europe Award at the European Women in Business Law Awards 2023 and to have been recognised as “Best in Austria” at the European Women in Business Law Awards 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 & 2012, “Best in Croatia” at the European Women in Business Law Awards 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 & 2013 and “Best in Romania” at the European Women in Business Law Awards 2016, 2015 & 2014.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
At Wolf Theiss we believe that success is a two-way street. Our financial success depends in large part on our doing quality work for our clients, so they come back to us and recommend us to others. But our success also depends on the support of the local communities where we live and work. They provide us with a great deal of input and impulses, including the talented lawyers and assistants who make it possible for us to do what we do. We all think it is essential that we give something back to the community.
One way to show our commitment to the community is by providing legal advice on a pro bono basis to clients who need legal help, but are unable to pay for our services. Our pro bono work is directed at clients whom we consider to be very deserving or who face legal issues that we believe are especially important to our communities or to society as a whole.
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