The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, tier 4

J&A Garrigues – Sediu Permanent was formed in 2008 through the merger of Garriguesand Mares & Asociatii. Managing partner Mihai Mares, ‘an energetic legal brain’, is the partner in charge of banking and finance. In 2008, the practice advised on the formation of the Romanian branch of La Caixa Barcleona and acted for Bancpost and mother company EFG Private Bank on several high-value transfers of credit facilities.

Within Corporate and M&A, tier 5

Garriguesand ‘superb and impressive’ boutique Mares & Asociatiimerged in 2008 to form J&A Garrigues SLP – Sediu Permanent. The new practice has already advised Tractebel on the acquisition of a minority stake in the company by five employees and founders. Additionally, the firm acted in the high-profile restructuring of Elektrizitats-Gesellschaft Laufenburg.

Within Energy and natural resources, tier 4

During 2008, J&A Garrigues SLP – Sediu Permanent advised Eolica Navarra on a wind farm in Dobrogea and acted for EGL Gas & Power Romania on participation in the EU market trading gas emission certificates. The team ‘punches above its weight in the industry’.

Within Privatisation and PPP, Garrigues is a third tier firm,

J&A Garrigues SLP – Sediu Permanent advised EGL Gas & Power Romania with respect to the privatisation of thermal power plants and acted for Hidroelectrica on the privatisation of a plant in Piatra Neamt. On the PPP side, the firm acted for the Romanian National Company of Motorways and National Roads in relation to the plots of land to be expropriated for the construction of the Bucuresti-Constanta motorway.

Within Project finance, Garrigues is a third tier firm,

J&A Garrigues SLP – Sediu Permanent are a ‘fantastic firm for project financing’, according to one satisfied client. Highlights of 2008 include assisting MOL and Gazprom’s project company – SEP Company – in connection with the development of the Blue Stream II gas pipeline. The team also acted for Elektrizitats-Gesellschaft Laufenburg on the development of units three and four of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, and advised Dytras on a PHARE programme to develop a water treatment plant in Targu Mures.