The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Wolf Theiss is a third tier firm,

Demonstrating ‘strong technical skills’, Wolf Theiss’ banking and finance practice has a strong client base among Austrian and German financial institutions. Complex cross-border work within the CEE region is a particular speciality. The firm advised Erste Bank on the loan agreements and security arrangements on five facilities amounting to more than €200m for the development of shopping malls in several Romanian cities. It advised the same client on a combined €1.74bn offering, which consisted of a rights offering to existing shareholders, a public offering in Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania, and a private placement to institutional investors in the United States and other countries. Andreea Poenaru is the name to note.

Within Corporate and M&A, Wolf Theiss is a third tier firm,

Wolf Theiss has extensive experience in real estate, energy and logistics matters. Clients report that the firm has ‘good knowledge of the industries it works in and awareness of client needs’. The practice advised SNEF, a France- based leader in the electrical engineering, industrial processes and communications systems field, on the acquisition from Holcim Group Support of Ceprocim Engineering, a Romanian company specialised in electrical engineering, industrial processes and mechanical engineering. Managing partner Bryan Jardine is recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Clients praise the ‘responsive’ litigation team at Wolf Theiss. The firm looks after commercial and IP matters for its Austrian and German client base operating in Romania. The practice is advising a major German investment fund in a €53m case before the Arbitration Court attached to the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ligia Cecilia Popescu heads up contentious practice.

Within Energy and natural resources, Wolf Theiss is a third tier firm,

Renewable energy is an area of particular expertise for the team at Wolf Theiss. The practice is advising ButanGas Romania, the affiliate of a leader in the liquefied petroleum gas distribution field, on the acquisition from several sellers of a majority stake in a special-purpose vehicle developing two wind farm projects of 25MW and 5 MW in Dobrogea. Bryan Jardine is the key contact.

Within Public private partnership and procurement, Wolf Theiss is a third tier firm,

Wolf Theiss has expertise in procurement matters both from a transactional and contentious standpoint. The firm worked on the Cluj Airport project advising SITA Information Networking Computing on participation in public tenders. On the contentious side, the practice advised a prominent Romanian construction company in relation to several court claims relating to infringements of the Romanian public procurement legislation by the contracting authority during the performance of a construction agreement. Bryan Jardine heads the team.

Within Real estate, Wolf Theiss is a third tier firm,

Ciprian Glodeanu heads up the real estate team at Wolf Theiss. The firm is advising Starwood EAME License and Services Company in the preparation and drafting of various agreements related to Starwood’s investment in a €120m joint venture project with Sigma Group for the development of a five-star Sheraton hotel, and an exclusive condominium and retail complex in Cluj. It is also advising investment fund Nordcapital New Energy on the acquisition of several large parcels of forest in different regions of Romania.