Lakatos, Köves and Partners > Budapest, Hungary > Firm Profile

Lakatos, Köves and Partners > The Legal 500 Rankings

Hungary > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Noted for its ‘high-quality legal advice’, the banking, finance and capital markets team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners demonstrates pre-eminence in asset finance. The team is regularly engaged as local counsel by major international names, as well as acting on Eurobond issuances involving Hungarian players, and advising Hungarian investors in outbound investments. Centering on the energy sector, the team’s project finance expertise sees it regularly assisting lenders with solar projects. As an English and Hungarian-qualified banking expert, practice co-head John Fenemore brings extensive cross-border capabilities across securitisation, trade finance and bond issuance to the team. As well as demonstrating expertise in banking and capital markets regulations, products and litigation, Fenemore’s co-head Szabolcs Mestyán heads up the firm’s aviation practice, supported by Balázs Rokob. Ágnes Ábrahám plays an active role in the team’s bond issuance transactions, including sovereign bond transactions. Pál Rahóty leads the financial regulatory team, while Gergely Kántor and Botond Horváth focus on corporate governance. Infrastructure financing is one of Gabriella Szabó’s areas of expertise. Péter Köves rounds out the roster of recommended names. In team news, January 2024 saw the arrival of Zsuzsanna Lukács from Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda.

Hungary > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

The ‘highly responsive and business-minded’ commercial, corporate and M&A team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners has recently noted an increase in mandates related to the automotive and life sciences industries, and the firm is now particularly focused on delivering greenfield projects within the automotive sector. The team’s multinational clientele includes new entrants to the Hungarian market, and the group’s advice ranges from general commercial matters to restructurings. Richard Lock, Iván Sólyom and Ádám Máttyus are the trio overseeing the work. Viktória Szilágyi focuses on the renewable energy and healthcare sectors, while Kornél Dirner has expertise in capital restructuring and Nóra Szigeti assists companies with dissolutions. Pál Rahóty has extensive experience advising on cross-border transactions and György Tóth handles related commercial litigation. In January 2024, Péter Berethalmi and Zsuzsanna Lukács joined from Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda.

Hungary > Competition Tier 1

In line with the government’s introduction of new legislation in 2023, the competition team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners noted an increase in instructions relating to the review of client whistleblowing policies. The group’s diverse clientele includes multinational corporations and foreign investors, and spans the real estate, telecoms, construction and life sciences sectors. Practice co-head Eszter Ritter has over 15 years’ experience, spanning antitrust, merger control and unfair competition cases. Ritter’s counterpart Iván Sólyom has brings his cross-practice expertise as head of the firm’s corporate and M&A team to the group. Adrienn Mándoki advises on consumer protection matters. Ádám Máttyus rounds out the roster of key contacts.

Hungary > Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ data protection practice serves an international client base and has developed a niche advising new entrants to the Hungarian market. The group’s expertise extends beyond data breaches, audits and incidents to encompass advice on marketing campaigns and new product and service development. The team also has a strong track record in relevant dispute resolution. Iván Sólyom leads the team and his knowledge of data protection and GDPR law intersects with corporate, M&A and IP mandates. Alekszej Dubalár has a wealth of experience in IP and data protection litigation, with a particular focus on the energy and utilities sectors.

Hungary > Dispute resolution Tier 1

With diverse expertise which spans investment, M&A and employment litigation, as well as damages cases and healthcare sector-related claims, the dispute resolution team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners receives instruction from a varied client base that includes both national and international clients. The practice has been involved in cases before the Constitutional Court of Hungary, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. Balázs Fazakas, Péter Lakatos and Péter Köves lead the group; Fazakas bring ten years’ experience in front of Hungarian and international courts and arbitration forums to the role, Köves is experienced in alternative dispute resolution, and Lakatos is an expert in the TMT sector. Sára Darnót is involved in international commercial arbitration and Gabriella Szabó has experience representing both corporate clients and government agencies. Adrienn Mándoki is another name to note. In March 2024, Viktor Jéger joined the team from Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda.

Hungary > Employment Tier 1

A one-stop shop for clients based in Hungary, across the CEE region, and those with global operations, the employment team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners is regularly instructed by companies from the IT, logistics and automotive industries. The group’s contentious practice spans all employment-related disputes, and is well versed in both litigation and mediation. The group works in tandem with the data protection and privacy departments to advise on social media use and GDPR issues, and regularly advises on the employment aspects of corporate transactions, such as restructurings and M&A deals. Practice head Éva Bognár has over 20 years’ experience in the full range of employment matters, from restructuring schemes and redundancy programmes to labour disputes. Specialising in management contracts and employment litigation, Katalin Losonci brings over 15 years’ experience to the team. Petra Rózsahegyi advises corporations on employment frameworks, including agreements, contracts and TUPE.

Hungary > Projects and energy Tier 1

Noted particularly for its expertise in the solar power space, Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ projects and energy team has recently seen an increase in energy-related work from its international clientele. The practice’s diverse client base includes car manufacturers, greenfield project investors and battery suppliers. Energy, corporate and M&A specialist Ádám Máttyus leads the team alongside Attila Ungár, who leads on real estate development mandates, and Viktória Szilágyi, who is particularly active in the geothermal energy field. Ágnes Hegyi manages a breadth of complex real estate projects. Kornél Dirner, Nóra Szigeti and Alekszej Dubalár provide further support from a corporate perspective.

Hungary > Real estate and construction Tier 1

The dedicated team of real estate experts at Lakatos, Köves and Partners advises on development projects, ongoing portfolio management activity, acquisitions and disposals. In tandem with the firm’s finance and tax groups, the team assists with project financings, and asset and share deals. With 25 years’ experience in the sector, Attila Ungár leads the team. Ágnes Hegyi fields over 20 years’ experience in real estate transactions, as well as property management, construction and development. With expertise across various asset classes, including offices, shopping centres and hotels, Katalin Losonci advises on acquisition, development and leasing issues. Zsuzsanna Ilyés handles property operational matters, as well as advising on solar park and shopping centre projects. Specialising in the retail and office segment, Kata Molnár advises on international real estate transactions. In team news, Péter Berethalmi and Viktor Jéger joined from Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda in January and March 2024, respectively.

Hungary > TMT Tier 1

Lakatos, Köves and Partners supports an extensive list of multinational telecoms clients throughout their entire lifecycle, from network agreements to regulatory matters, and from to permitting issues and litigation. The TMT team noted a recent increase of activity within the telecoms sector, supporting new entrants as well as advising existing players on transactional work. The firm also fields a dedicated unfair commercial practices and consumer protection sub-practice. TMT expert Péter Lakatos leads the team alongside Iván Sólyom, who takes a lead role in the team’s compliance, licensing and contentious matters, as well as advising on data protection and e-commerce mandates. As members of the firm’s corporate team, Nóra Szigeti and György Tóth provide support on relevant M&A transactions, drawing on cross-practice as well as cross-border expertise.

Hungary > Intellectual property Tier 2

In tandem with the firm’s corporate practice, the team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners advises on the full range of IP matters. As well as providing IP-related support regarding M&A transactions, the group covers trade mark filings and renewals, brand protection, IP disputes and infringement cases. The group fields particular expertise in the financial services, energy and telecoms sectors and continues to take on new clients from the technology, FMCG and automotive industries. ‘Expert in copyright and IT matters’ Iván Sólyom leads the team, and Alekszej Dubalár brings a wealth of additional experience in IP litigation to the group.

Hungary > Tax Tier 2

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ tax team provides cross-practice support across the firm, working in tandem with the employment, real estate, banking and finance, employment, and corporate groups. The department advises on international holding and finance structures, double taxation treaties and VAT planning for cross-border trading. The team’s practice also covers contentious matters, and it represents clients in tax litigation, inspections and negotiations with the tax authorities. Certified tax advisor Balázs Kántor leads the team, advising on both national and international tax-related matters. Petra Rózsahegyi is a member of both the employment and tax teams, so frequently provides advice straddling the two disciplines.