The Legal 500

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

Musat & Asociatii’s ‘remarkable’ team advised both the Ministry of Economy and the Office for State Ownership and Privatisation in Industry (OPSPI) on the secondary public offering on the Bucharest Stock Exchange of shares in Transgaz. Other clients include Grupo Lar, Repower and the European Investment Fund. Co-managing partner of the firm Mona Musat is also co-head of the banking and finance team alongside Iuliana Craicicu. Miruna Suciu is ‘technically very well prepared’.

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

Musat & Asociatii is ‘very experienced’ in high-profile transactions. It advised Rompetrol Group on the debt-for-equity swap of its €570m historical debt to the Romanian state; Mediterranean Car Agency (Israel) on the acquisition of Autoitalia Impex and Japan Motor Brands; and Enel Green Power on a renewable energy acquisition. Catalin Baiculescu and the ‘eminent’ Gheorghe Musat jointly head the team.

Within Dispute resolution, Musat & Asociatii is a second tier firm,

Musat & Asociatii has ‘solid expertise in arbitration’ and gives ‘excellent representation in all areas of litigation’. It advised Roche Romania in several commercial litigations concerning the recovery of commercial debts amounting to €80m, and is acting for Groupama in litigation regarding agricultural insurance indemnities as well as in a $5.7m maritime insurance dispute. Other clients include Rompetrol and ThyssenKrupp. The team is advising the national railway company, CFR, in an ICC arbitration concerning the modernisation of Timisoara railway station. Gheorghe Buta and Gheorghe Musat jointly lead the dispute resolution practice. Arbitration practice head Luminita Popa has ‘vast knowledge of the international arbitration field’, and is praised for her ‘innovative approach’ and ‘in-depth understanding of client needs’.

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

Musat & Asociatii has ‘a real understanding of client needs’ and is ‘timely and responsive’. The team advised the Ministry of Economy and Hidroelectrica on the selection of investors for the construction of the Tarnita-Lapustesti hydropower plant. It also advised Petrofac Facilities Management on the negotiation and implementation of a production enhancement services agreement with OMV Petrom. The ‘well-organised’ Luminita Popa co-heads the team with Miruna Suciu, who has ‘great expertise in energy projects’.

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

‘One of the best IT, telecoms and media teams in the market’, Musat & Asociatii advised Google on numerous corporate issues relating to its Romanian entity, Google Bucharest. It also advised Intel on corporate matters regarding the opening of its Romanian subsidiary, Intel Software Development. Other clients include Apple, Telecom Italia and AT&T Global Network Services Romania. Practice head Catalin Baiculescu is ‘extremely responsive and precise’.

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, Musat & Asociatii is a first tier firm,

Musat & Asociatii has ‘extensive experience in PPP matters’. Recent mandates include advising the Ministry of Economy and Hidroelectrica, the state-owned energy producer, on the selection of investors for the construction of Tarnita-Lapustesti hydropower plant. It also advised Dambovita Water Company on ten tenders for services and concession contracts concerning the €120m renovation and extension of water supply systems in Dambovita. Mona Musat and Gelu-Titus Maravela co-head the department.

Within Real estate, Musat & Asociatii is a second tier firm,

Musat & Asociatii’s team shows ‘deep technical knowledge’ and is ‘permanently available for further discussions or clarifying matters’. It advised DMA, the shareholder of Deva Logistics Center regarding the development of one of Romania’s largest logistic centres. Other clients include PPF Real Estate Holding, Grupo Lar and BelRom. Practice head Mona Musat is ‘dedicated’ and has ‘an excellent reputation in the Romanian real estate market’.