Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm > Budapest, Hungary > Firm Profile

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm
ALKOTÁS U 17-19 (DÉLI POINT)
III FLOOR
1123 BUDAPEST
Hungary

Hungary > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm is a specialist M&A firm with a strong track record in private equity and venture capital transactions. The team continues to take on blue-chip clients across various industries; the practice’s sector focus spans the pharmaceuticals, TMT, energy, gaming and insurance sectors. Real estate transactions are another of the team’s key strengths, along with post-M&A disputes. Zoltán Forgó has over 28 years’ experience in M&A transactions and leads the team alongside Gábor Damjanovic, who brings ‘great experience and in-depth knowledge’ to the team. Zsófia Füzi advises on due diligence processes and the merger control aspects of transactions.

Practice head(s):

Zoltán Forgó; Gábor Damjanovic

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Gábor Damjanovic always strives to quickly find the best solution and satisfy the clients. It’s always a pleasure to work with him and his team.’

‘Most of the time we work with Zoltán Forgó. He is an outstanding and very experienced transactional lawyer, possessing all the qualities we need, approachable, accurate drafting and strong negotiation skills. He is able to put together the most challenging and complex transactions and to bring them to completion.’

‘Zoltán Forgó is very well prepared for internal and negotiation meetings. Zsófia Füzi is highly efficient and focuses on important points.’

‘Zoltán Forgó and Zsófia Füzi are very prepared experts of their profession, their experience and negotiation skills in M&A law are unique, they are confident but reasonable and calm at the same time.’

‘We consider Zoltán Forgó as a star performer for both M&A transactional and corporate governance matters. He excels in providing legal analyses within short deadlines, always able to provide solutions even for the most complex matters. He communicates clearly focusing on issues which really matter for us. It was great having him on our side.’

‘Very dedicated and knowledgeable individuals. The dedication and professional support of Zoltán Forgó and Zsófia Füzi was of key importance in successfully completing many challenging legal tasks and projects.’

‘Gábor Damjanovic is an outstanding lawyer with great experience and in-depth knowledge of the Hungarian legal landscape. His English is flawless.’

Key clients

Talanx AG/HDI International AG

Hungarian Insurance Life Co, Hungarian Insurance Non-Life Co.

Scan Global Logistics

Ratiolab

Futureal Group

CHC Finance N.V

Reckitt Benckiser

Cargill

Worms & Cie SCA

Obton A/S

the Benetton family

Holding Soprema

Pamplona Capital Management

Groupe Briand

the Finext Group

the Allegis Group, Inc.

the Agrokor Group

China Telecom

Unipetrol Group

Grifols

CECONOMY/MSH Group

an Israeli real estate developer investing in 3 hotels in Hungary

Intersnack Group

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd.

Shandong Rainbow

the owners of Partner Ltd.

the owners of Pentolt Ltd.

the Phosphea Group

Tuttnauer Group

KiK Textile and Non-Food Ltd

Galvanize Nutrition

Pacific Drilling S.A.

Work highlights

  • Advised HDI International on the sale of a majority shareholding interest by the Talanx Group in its Hungarian insurance subsidiaries.
  • Advising Obton on the acquisition of a number of different solar park portfolios and a merger, whereby dozens of formerly acquired portfolio companies are merged into new entities.
  • Advised the seller on the sale of Da Vinci Hospital to Doktor24.

Hungary > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Dispute resolution is one of the three core practice areas at Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm. The firm’s dispute resolution team fields strong cross-border capabilities, regularly handling disputes with international elements. The group noted a recent increase in corporate disputes. Gábor Damjanovic and Zoltán Forgó jointly lead the team; the former acts as an arbitrator in a range of construction, real estate, energy, TMT and M&A and commercial cases, while the latter’s expertise in transactional work sees him handling a range of disputes deriving from corporate and M&A deals.

Practice head(s):

Gábor Damjanovic; Zoltán Forgó

Other key lawyers:

Réka Bali

Testimonials

‘Gábor Damjanovic stands out with his expertise.’

‘Zoltán Forgó was instrumental in analysing the potential risks and upsides for us in the litigious situation and in building up and executing a communication strategy with our counterparty. He forcefully lead the negotiation with the counterparty and guided the dispute to a good exit transaction. I would note that he is a tough negotiator but at the same time he is able to throw many alternatives on the table which yielded good results.’

‘Creativity: I’ve found that Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners’ dispute resolution team is known for their creative approach to solving disputes. They think outside the box and tailor strategies to each case. Problem-Solving: the team excels at problem-solving, dissecting complex issues, and developing effective strategies to resolve disputes. Good Results: they consistently achieve positive outcomes, whether through negotiation, alternative methods, or litigation. Responsiveness: I appreciate their commitment to staying responsive and keeping clients informed throughout the dispute resolution process.’

‘Gábor Damjanovic and Réka Bali exemplify professionalism and a deep commitment to finding effective solutions for our clients. Their exceptional problem-solving skills and dedication to facilitating communication with domestic entities, including banks, have consistently proven invaluable in achieving successful outcomes for a diverse range of cases.’

‘The strength of this practice is Gábor Damjanovic, who is a likeable, down-to-earth, yet very smart lawyer.’

‘I would highlight the work of Gábor Damjanovic and especially his no-nonsense approach and his vast experience.’

‘Gábor Damjanovic is not only one of the best arbitrators/arbitration lawyers in Hungary, but also a man of integrity (and great wit). Perfect mix of technical legal knowledge and practical common sense with business acumen.’

‘Gábor Damjanovic is my go-to person for any complex commercial case in Hungary. He is trustworthy, experienced and solid and provides sound business and litigation strategy advice.’

Key clients

Cargill Group

Obton A/S

the Benetton family

Nielsen Corporation

HDI Global SE

Finext Group

Centrope Holdings Limited/EUROVEGAS

the Finext Group

Due A srl

Hungarian Post Insurance Company

SKECHERS

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd.

Unipetrol Group

GIR Refractories

Work highlights

  • Representing HDI Global Insurance Company in a case whereby the client’s insured company, Oliefabriek Van Damme, and its Hungarian subsidiary, delivered oil for chocolate production which was allegedly contaminated with salmonella to Barry Callebaut in Belgium.
  • Successfully represented EUROVEGAS Group in a shareholder claim worth over €50m.
  • Represented a financial services company in ten shareholders’ disputes aiming at the cancellation of several general meeting resolutions, initiated by one of the shareholders with significant minority voting rights.

Hungary > Employment Tier 2

The employment team at Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm provides its clients with ‘exceptional knowledge and attention to detail’. The practice continues to add to its multinational client base, advising a range of foreign investors and Hungarian corporates. Employment-related litigation is another of the team’s focus areas, and the group represents employers as well as senior management in various cases. With over 19 years’ experience in both contentious and non-contentious labour matters, Gábor Damjanovic leads the team. Ákos Balázs also brings extensive experience to the practice, with particular expertise in business immigration matters.

Practice head(s):

Gábor Damjanovic

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team is highly technical and all issues, even the most banal ones, they address with utmost attention and knowledge.’

‘Exceptional knowledge and attention to detail and English skills.’

Key clients

Obton A/S

China Telecom

Intersnack Group

ORLEN Unipetrol Group

Allegis Group, Inc.

American Express Global Business Travel

Netcracker Technology

Schwabe Pharmaceuticals

AUTOVISTA Hungary (formerly known as EUROTAX Glass Hungary)

Velox Digital

Haema Plasma

Tavanta Therapeutics

Amer Sport

BIOMAPAS

FIDEL LINDAB

Semeris

Pannon Clinic

Adesso Group

Lighttech

Shonz Ltd.

Scan Global Logistics

Airbus Helicopters

Reckitt

Lila Logistik

Tuttnauer

Work highlights

  • Advising Allegis Group after it set up a new recruitment business in Hungary, including on all relevant and newly introduced regulatory and HR aspects.
  • Advised Velox Digital on acquiring entry permissions and respective quarantine waivers for groups of engineers during the different phases of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Assisted Scan Global with the acquisition of a target company and handled the Hungarian legal due diligence, including advising on employment-related documents and assisting with employment-related legal matters since the acquisition.

Hungary > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm‘s diverse list of banking and capital markets clients continues to grow, with the recent addition of several major international names; the team’s extensive roster includes clients in the energy sector, and the group is advising on numerous solar power plant acquisitions. Ferenc Lénárt leads the team in a large number of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions, acting for both lenders and borrowers.

Practice head(s):

Ferenc Lénárt

Key clients

Pacific Drilling

Simmons&Simmons

Obton

Morgan Stanley

JP Morgan Asset Management

Blackstone

BP

Société Générale Luxembourg

Deutsche Bank

Work highlights

  • Advised Simmons & Simmons on post-Brexit cross-border guidelines, covering licensing requirements which may apply when offering asset management, investment banking and corporate banking products and services to clients in or from Hungary on a cross-border basis.
  • Advising Pacific Drilling Company on the due execution, authorisation and enforceability of a committed delayed-draw term loan facility in the maximum principal amount of $80m and an uncommitted incremental term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50m.

Hungary > Competition Tier 3

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm has an established track record in the pharmaceuticals sector and the competition team regularly represents clients from that industry before the HCA and the National Institute of Pharmacies. The group’s expertise encompasses both cartel investigations and merger control procedures. Practice head Zoltán Forgó also advises on unfair trade practices within the pharmaceuticals sector and has experience appearing before the Consumer Protection Authority. Zsófia Füzi is also an active team member.

Practice head(s):

Zoltán Forgó

Other key lawyers:

Zsófia Füzi; Gábor Damjanovic

Testimonials

‘Extremely professional and experienced with competition law. Straight to the point advice and able to build great strategies in terms of compliance.’

‘Easy going, easy to communicate with, extremely professional, trust comes naturally.’

Key clients

Partner Ltd.

Pentolt Ltd.

Unipetrol Group

Obton A/S

Ratiolab Holding

Hungary > Projects and energy Tier 3

Energy is one of the core sectors of expertise at Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm, and the projects and energy practice consequently has experience in niche areas, including fibre optic cable systems and motorway projects. The group regularly advises on the acquisitions of power plants, including solar plants. Zoltán Forgó and Gábor Damjanovic lead the team, and Zsófia Füzi provides energy clients with additional transactional, financing and regulatory advice.

Practice head(s):

Zoltán Forgó; Gábor Damjanovic

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Obton A/S

the owners of Partner Ltd.

Pacific Drilling S.A

Unipetrol Group

UTB Group

Groupe Briand

Work highlights

  • Assisting Obton with the acquisition of a number of different solar park portfolios.
  • Assisting Obton with a number of regulatory issues.
  • Advising the owners of Partner Ltd on a 100% sale of its shareholding in three separate companies.

Hungary > TMT Tier 3

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm is noted for its 'relentless dedication to mastering the dynamic TMT landscape'. A particular focus continues to be transactional work within the sector. The firm also fields an established gambling practice and regularly advises on TMT-related matters within the gambling industry. ‘Standout‘ TMT expert Viktor Vasi leads the team, advising on software and database licences, data protection matters and GDPR implementation.

Practice head(s):

Viktor Vasi

Testimonials

‘I’ve closely seen Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners’ exceptional TMT expertise, transcending borders. Even operating from Serbia, I recognise that they excel in Hungary.’

‘Their standout quality is a relentless dedication to mastering the dynamic TMT landscape. Their grasp of intricate regulations, both in Hungary and Europe, is unmatched. They craft innovative solutions navigating tech, media, and telecom laws with finesse. Their proactive, client-centric approach consistently exceeds expectations.’

‘I confidently affirm they set and elevate the standard for TMT law. Their well-deserved reputation in Hungary extends its influence beyond borders in the TMT area.’

‘Viktor Vasi shines as a standout TMT lawyer in Hungary. His deep understanding of the field, unwavering commitment to innovation, and remarkable problem-solving skills set him apart.’

Key clients

Cargill

HTEC

Nielsen Corporation

Novell Hungary

Autovista Hungary

China Telecom

Shonz Ltd.

Autovista Hungary

CECONOMY/MSH Group

Microgaming

Unipetrol

Novell Hungary

Semeris

Hungary > Real estate and construction Tier 4

Active on both the contentious and non-contentious side, the real estate team at Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm handles various real estate transactions and disputes, both sale and lease-related, as well as construction-related arbitration. Gábor Damjanovic leads the real estate practice, advising on commercial and residential real estate matters. Réka Bali is another key member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Gábor Damjanovic

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Obton A/S

the Benetton family

Holding Soprema

Groupe Briand

Tuttnauer Group

the owners of Partner Ltd.

the owners of Pentolt Ltd

JSI Delta (a Czech holding company in the construction/design sector)

Due A srl (an Italian supplier of heavy and precision structural steelwork)

Unipetrol Group

Dánia Koncept Ltd.

Cargill

DBH Group

Gerbeaud

Work highlights

  • Assisting Obton A/S with the acquisition of a number of different of solar park portfolios, handling legal due diligence and drafting the transaction documents, as well as negotiating the deal up to closing, including the financing aspects and the licensing matters.
  • Advising the Benetton family on an existing joint venture, as well as a prospective sale.
  • Assisted Cargill with the sale of one of its production plants, from drafting to advising on the regulatory hurdles.

The firm: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners is one of the leading independent commercial law firms in Hungary. Clients include foreign corporations, the Hungarian businesses of multinational companies and medium to large Hungarian businesses. The firm is typically instructed in complex transactions and legal disputes, cases of a cross-border nature, those demanding high quality English language documentation and/or involving clients who require an international level of service. Whilst the firm provides clients with all the benefits of a full service law firm, it prides itself in an especially strong track record in the fields of M&A and private equity transactions, dispute resolution and employment law.

Forgó, Damjanovic serves clients from all over the world; a high percentage of its turnover is generated from foreign clients or multinational clients with a presence in Hungary. Foreign law firms regularly instruct Forgó, Damjanovic on their clients’ Hungarian legal needs. Most of the lawyers have gained foreign work experience at large international law firms or have studied abroad.

Areas of practice
Corporate & M&A: Forgó, Damjanovic offers clients specialist corporate/M&A advice. The partners’ extensive track record includes acting for Hungarian and international blue-chip companies, private equity and venture capital investors, leading corporate finance firms and high-net worth individual owners of target companies. Forgó, Damjanovic regularly acts as lead counsel on cross-border transactions in conjunction with foreign legal advisors, and on transactions referred by international law firms. The firm is typically instructed by clients in complex medium-sized or high-value transactions, mostly of a cross-border nature and requiring heavy documentation.

Dispute resolution: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners regularly acts in contentious cases before various courts and authorities, as well as international arbitration cases in a wide range of proceedings.

Banking and capital markets: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners offers specialist expertise for banking and capital markets services. The firm has represented numerous banks and corporate clients in banking and capital markets transactions, and provided financial enterprises and investment funds with legal advice on licensing and regulatory matters.

Labour and employment: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners is one of the leading labour/employment practices in Hungary, earning recommendations from international directories. The firm acts for international recruitment agencies, multinational corporations, major Hungarian enterprises and top managers and its services cover the full spectrum of labour and employment matters, with many of the assignments typically having international or cross-border aspects.

Life sciences and pharmaceuticals: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners is one of the few law firms in Hungary which offers niche expertise on legal matters affecting the life sciences and pharmaceuticals industry. The firm‘s extensive track record includes advising Hungarian and foreign producers of pharmaceuticals, food supplements and medical devices, pharmacy chains, industry associations, strategic and private equity investors and corporate finance firms specialising in the industry.

IP/TMT: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners has a solid and diverse IP practice, handling copyright matters, software licensing issues, trademark matters, domain name disputes and advising on patent related issues. The firm has acted for a number of blue-chip clients in the TMT industry, including telecommunication service providers and software and hardware companies applying new generation technologies.

Energy: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners advises energy clients on a wide range of matters. Its track record includes acting for energy companies, private equity investors, financing banks and energy consultancy firms.

Gaming/betting: Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners offers specialist advice on the legal issues of gaming/betting. Over years of working for major online and land-based gaming clients, it has developed niche expertise in this area. Its lawyers’ extensive track record includes advising operators and slot machine manufacturers, negotiating concession agreements, assisting other clients in gambling related issues, in addition to providing transactional and litigation/arbitration support in the gaming sector.

Department Name Email Telephone
Company law
Mergers and acquisitions
Private equity
Employment
Litigation, arbitration
Banking and financing
Capital markets
Insolvency
Real estate
Projects, construction
Energy
Pharmaceuticals
Gaming, betting, licensing
Information technology
Media, internet, e-commerce
Intellectual property rights
Telecommunications
Media
Competition law
Photo Name Position Profile
Gábor Damjanovic photo Dr Gábor Damjanovic Co-managing partner of the firm, head of the Dispute Resolution and Labour/Employment…
Number of lawyers : 12
English
Contacts : Zoltán Forgó
Contacts : Gábor Damjanovic

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners is a highly rated local business law firm based in Budapest, Hungary with very strong international ties. 75%+ of the work handled by the firm is cross-border work or assignments with significant international elements. 

Almost all of the disputes (arbitration, as well as litigation) we handle concern foreign parties or laws and the transactions we work on are also of a cross-border nature, let them be standalone mandates or parts of global acquisitions 

Last year, we acted for clients from over two dozen jurisdiction and 5 continents. We are often called upon to act for the foreign headquarters of our clients in delicate matters where they do not want to use the counsels of their Hungarian subsidiaries.  

Managing partner Gábor Damjanovic has been actively involved in the International Bar Association (IBA) for over 20 years, having attended over 70 conferences and forged friendships and good working relationships with numerous colleagues from all over the world. Gábor is an active arbitrator, listed by a number of arbitral institutions list of arbitrators (e.g. in Belgrade, Budapest, Seoul, Vienna and Warsaw), he is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Professional Ethics Committee of the IBA and the Hungarian member of ICC Fraudnet