The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, tier 4

Real estate finance is a key strength of Biris Goran, and the firm also has a strong reputation in the market for its tax expertise. It acted as legal advisor to the borrower, Portico Investments Limited, on a loan worth €75m from ING Lease to be used to refinance the company’s investments in Hungary, Czech Republic and Romania. On the lender side, the practice acted as counsel to Unicredit Bank and Unicredit Lease as well as to the borrower and lessor (ICCO) on a €26m sale and lease back transaction. The firm also represented the borrower and sponsors on a €60m real estate financing for office and residential development in Bucharest. Cristian Mîndru heads up the team.

Within Corporate and M&A, Biris Goran SCPA is a third tier firm,

Clients are impressed by ‘quick response times, clearly expressed, detailed legal opinions and a practical, commercial approach’ at Biris Goran. The firm is well known in the market for its expertise in tax matters and real estate work. It acted as lead counsel to EU-based Bongrain, an international player in the milk-processing sector and which is traded on the Euronext Paris exchange, in its acquisition of a majority stake in Delaco, one of Romania’s main dairy product suppliers. The practice also represented Infopress Group, the largest printing company in partnering with private equity house GED, pursuant to a deal worth more than €12m. Daniel Visoiu heads up the corporate team and is recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Tax and insolvency work are at the heart of Biris Goran’s dispute resolution practice. The firm is acting for the debtor Plus Development in an insolvency matter with a total value of €25m, as well as appearing before the Romanian Supreme Court on behalf of a multinational client in a tax recovery case against the Romanian state. Raluca Nastase heads up the team.

Within IT, telecoms and media, Biris Goran SCPA is a second tier firm,

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’.

Within Public private partnership and procurement, Biris Goran SCPA is a second tier firm,

Clients are impressed with the ‘outstanding’ PPP practice at Biris Goran. The firm has particular expertise in the health sector. It is counsel to a large health care services company regarding various submitted tenders to the Romanian Ministry of Public Health regarding hospital construction projects with an estimated value of €170m. Daniel Visoiu heads the team and ‘can handle difficult situations’.

Within Real estate, Biris Goran SCPA is a second tier firm,

Deemed ‘outstanding’ and ‘excellent’ for its real estate work, Biris Goran has a full service practice with particular emphasis on acting for developers. The firm Advised Sparkassen Immobilien (Immorent) on a €70m shell-and-core construction agreement, as well as electro-mechanical works agreement and leasing and development matters, for Sun Plaza, the largest shopping centre in Romania. It also advised the Romanian subsidiary of Dachser Logistics, one of Europe’s largest logistics operators, in an acquisition of land outside Bucharest to develop a greenfield warehouse facility, and provided ongoing support for its development. Clients include Portico Investments, Plus Development and Upground Estates. Victor Constantinescu heads the practice and is ‘proactive and fair with the ability to draw on his international experience and apply to the local market’. Raluca Nastase is ‘a true expert in property law’.