The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii is a second tier firm,

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ‘first-rate’ team advised BCR on a €24m financing made available to an energy investment group for seven new co-generation units in Brasov. It also advised Investkredit Bank on restructuring a €28m credit facility agreement relating to the City Business Center development. Recently promoted partner Mihai Dudoiu co-heads the banking and finance practice with deputy managing partner Stefan Damian, who also heads the capital markets practice with Silvana Ivan. Gabriela Anton joined from Vilau & Mitel.

Within Corporate and M&A, Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii is a first tier firm,

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ‘business-oriented’ lawyers are ‘very focused on finding the right solutions’. The team advised CEZ on the €20m acquisition of a 100% stake in TMK Hydroenergy Power and related assets; OMV Petrom on M&A projects regarding its Romanian operations; and GED Real Estate Eastern Investment on various local deals. The key figures in the team are managing partners Gabriel Zbârcea and Florentin Tuca as well as deputy managing partner Stefan Damian.

Within Dispute resolution, Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii is a first tier firm,

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ‘professional’ team is praised for its ‘business-oriented approach’. It represented Gabriel Resources and Rosia Montana Gold in various complex disputes initiated by third parties regarding a $4bn project for the exploration of Europe’s largest and oldest gold mine. It also advised the Romanian government in two complex international arbitrations brought before the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The ‘outstanding’ Robert Rosu and the ‘methodical’ Ioana Hrisafi co-head the firm’s domestic arbitration and litigation practice, while the ‘highly recommended’ Levana Zigmund leads the international arbitration team.

Within Energy and natural resources, Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii is a first tier firm,

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ’proactive’ team is providing ongoing assistance to CEZ regarding a €1.1bn onshore wind farm project. It is advising Gabriel Resources and Rosia Montana Gold on a $4bn gold mine project and acting for OMV Petrom in various matters. Sorin Vladescu, Irina Moinescu and Cornel Popa are recommended.

Within IT, telecoms and media, Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii is a first tier firm,

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ‘highly recommended’ IT, media and telecoms practice advised Romtelecom on the €8m acquisition of Boom TV, a local TV station, and advised Cosmote Romanian Mobile Telecommunications on various regulatory and compliance matters. Sorin Vladescu and Vlad Cercel are the key figures.

Within Legal market overview,

Historically, firms such as Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen, Musat & Asociatii and Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii have dominated the market, but these are now being challenged by firms including Peli Filip, Popovici Nitu & Asociatii, Voicu & Filipescu SCA, and Kinstellar, as well as Eversheds Lina & Guia, which is the result of recent tie-up between Eversheds LLP and Lina & Guia SCA. Other international firms such as CMS Cameron McKenna SCA, Clifford Chance Badea, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP and Salans are also a strong presence.

Within Public private partnership and procurement, Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii is a first tier firm,

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii advised the Romanian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure as well as the Romanian National Company for Motorways and National Roads Administration (RNCMNRA) regarding a substantial section of the Bucharest-Brasov motorway, and on the concession contract for the Bucharest ring road. It also acted for Alstom Romania regarding a €239m metro and railway rolling stock maintenance contract. Serban Pâslaru and managing partner Florentin Tuca are the key figures.

Within Real estate, Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii is a second tier firm,

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s lawyers ‘respond to matters in a timely manner’. The team advised Ana Tower on a €70m joint venture agreement with GTC for the development of a 28-storey building. It also acted for Investkredit Bank on the restructuring of a €28m credit facility agreement to finance the development and operation of City Business Center in Timisoara. Department heads Razvan Gheorghiu-Testa and Dan Borbely are highly recommended.