The Legal 500

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

Lakatos, Köves and Partners benefits from its continued good relationship with Clifford Chance, receiving a significant amount of referral work particularly in the refinancing field. Led by Péter Köves, the team advised Permira on the restructuring of its portfolio, and a consortium on the construction of the M3 motorway. The loss of joint practice head Gábor Felsen to Gide Loyrette Nouel may signal some changes.

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

The team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners has a good relationship with various major banks in Europe. It has been busy advising Citigroup Global Markets Inc on a sovereign notes issue, and has also been advising a consortium of banks including BNP Paribas and UBS. Péter Köves and Gábor Felsen jointly lead the team.

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

Lakatos, Köves and Partners has advised Nokia concerning certain antitrust issues and copyright levies, and also advised Suez Environment. Péter Lakatos is the lead partner.

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

With an emphasis on financial regulation and telecoms litigation, the team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners draws on the resources of its broad referral network. Péter Lakatos is recommended.

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

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ team, led by Richard Locke, maintains a good relationship with Clifford Chance, and benefits from some major referrals from the firm. Clients include Toronto company Falcon Oil & Gas, and Spanish giant Cobra Industrial Plants.

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

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ IP practice, led by Péter Lakatos, acted for clients such as Sony Ericsson and Hugo Boss. It also advised media giant Endemol on how best to protect its distinctive formatting.

Within Legal market overview,

2010 saw the end of international firms leaving Hungary, and a renaissance of the practices they left behind. Lakatos, Köves and Partners, the former office of Clifford Chance, has struggled to maintain its share of work but has continued to excel in the finance arena, while Oppenheim and Andrékó Kinstellar maintain a strong client base across the board.

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

Since the departure of Clifford Chance from Budapest, its former Hungarian office Lakatos, Köves and Partners has maintained a good relationship with the firm and continues to benefit from its international connections, and is active in environmental and energy-related work. It advised Permira in relation to its investment in BorsodChem, and worked alongside Nagy és Trócsányi on a project for Suez Environnement.

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

Péter Köves and Gábor Felsen lead the team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners. The former advised a consortium involved with the development of the M3 motorway, while the latter handled a €23.5m refinancing deal for Zala Park, a major business centre. The team also advised Immobilia Real Estate and Development on its plans to borrow €147m to invest in a new development in Budapest.

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

Attila Ungár is the practice head at Lakatos, Köves and Partners. Recent work includes assisting Europa Capital and new client ING Real Estate on leasing matters, and Walker and Williams Investment Group on the major TóPark Project, and the firm also advises Unibail-Rodamco. Attila Unágr and Gábor Felsen are recommended.

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

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ TMT team is headed by name partner Péter Lakatos. It advised Nokia on performing rights issues and the RTL group on digital issues. The firm also drew on its resources across Prague, Warsaw and Bucharest to advise GML Limited on a major sale.

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

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ tax team is led by István Keményfy, who recently advised GDF Suez on its employee share plan. It also acted on the structuring of Kimberley Clarke’s toll management arrangement, and advised Alcoa and Thompson Reuters.