The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ ongoing connection with Clifford Chance continued to supply some M&A-related refinancing instructions from large international banks including Citibank, Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland. The team recently assisted BorsodChem Zrt with debt restructuring, and advised Credit Suisse on a $5bn exposure to Reynolds Group following its acquisition of Pactiv. Péter Köves heads the practice alongside the newly appointed co-head, Szabolcs Mestyán.

Within Capital markets, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Péter Köves and Szabolcs Mestyán at Lakatos, Köves and Partners have an enviable track record in advising international banks (including Citi, Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas) on their role as managers or underwriters on sovereign note issues. The team has also acted for Credit Suisse on secured and unsecured notes issues.

Within Competition, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lead associate Iván Sólyom handles the bulk of competition matters at Lakatos, Köves and Partners, with supervision from managing partner Péter Lakatos. Notable mandates include assisting AEW with merger control issues and representing K&H Bank in litigation against the GVH.

Within Dispute resolution, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Péter Lakatos and his team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners have recently boosted their client base locally, picking up new clients Suez Environnement and K&H Bank. The group is particularly proficient in TMT, banking and financial services disputes, and has recently acted for HSBC and TDF. The team also benefits from several good referral relationships with international law firms.

Within Energy, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a third tier firm,

Under the stewardship of Richard Lock, Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ energy group advises European entities on their Hungarian operations and related contractual issues. Clients include Suez Environnement and Cobra Industrial Plants. The group retains a close relationship with Clifford Chance.

Within Intellectual property , Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a third tier firm,

Name partner Péter Lakatos at Lakatos, Köves and Partners led the Hungarian defence of Nokia in a high-profile claim brought by Artisjus relating to private copy levy fees. The team has also been advising Hugo Boss on trade mark protection, and Fruit of the Loom in trade mark infringement litigation.

Within Legal market overview,

A sluggish year for real estate saw the suspension of a number of retail and office development projects, leaving the modicum of significant deals to be handled by leading firms such as CMS Cameron McKenna LLP and Andrékó Kinstellar. Local powerhouses Nagy és Trócsányi and Szecskay Attorneys at Law continued to lead the way in dispute resolution, which has been one of the buoyant practice areas during the financial crisis. The departure of some foreign businesses has produced challenges and opportunities for key independent firms including Oppenheim, which has been working to build its group and international client base since the departure of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Lakatos, Köves and Partners, which has seen a drop-off since Clifford Chance left Hungary. Simándi Bird & Bird was renamed Eördögh Bird & Bird after Richárd Eördögh was appointed as the new managing partner to replace Andrea Simándi, who joined Microsoft in January 2012.

Within Mergers and acquisitions, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners has witnessed a decline in M&A transactions since the departure of Clifford Chance from Hungary, but it continues to source work from its former owner’s worldwide network. The group played a key role in one of the most significant acquisitions in 2010, having advised Permira and BorsodChem on the latter’s takeover by Wanhua Industrial Group. 2011 was a year of few major regional highlights, but the firm acted for AEW on the sale of its property management business to BNP Paribas. Richard Lock heads the practice.

Within Project finance, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners acts for major European banks as lenders on substantial Hungarian projects. Name partner Péter Köves acted for Walker and Williams Investment Group on financing of the Tópark Center development. Köves also led advice to Westdeutsche Immobilien Bank on several multimillion-euro facility agreements used to finance real estate developments. Other clients include Credit Suisse and Priverdna Banka Zagreb.

Within Real estate and construction, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a second tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners added ING Real Estate Investment Management to its already impressive client roster, and has since been advising it on managing its Hungarian portfolio. Key partner Attila Ungár advised GLL Real Estate Partners on office purchases, and Morgan Stanley on the sale of a hotel chain.

Within TMT, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners is ‘a very well-run firm’ that operates with ‘skill’ and ‘integrity’. Notable recent instructions include advising TDF-owned Antenna Hungária TV and Radio on IT transformation matters, and representing Nokia in a levy dispute with Artisjus Collecting Society. In co-operation with colleagues in other CEE offices, the team recently advised GML on the sale of GTS Central European Holding. Practice head Péter Lakatos has admirable ‘negotiation skills’. Clients also appreciate the firm’s transparent billing process.

Within Tax, Lakatos, Köves and Partners is a first tier firm,

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ tax group recently advised TDF-owned Antenna Hungária on EU tax law, and assisted GLL with innovative VAT arrangements. István Keményfy leads the team, which also represents SÁGA and Cargill.