The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA is ‘a top-tier firm for banking, finance and capital markets work’. It has ‘excellent knowledge of the local market’ and provides ‘consistently high levels of service’. The team advised Alpha Bank Athens, as lead arranger, and the syndicate banks EFG Eurobank and Bank of Cyprus, on the €80m financing of Bucharest’s City Gate office building development. It advised Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR) on two separate trade facilities to finance GSP Group’s oil exploration and production. The ‘brilliant’ Simon Dayes heads the department, whch fields ‘lawyers that are always ready to assist and to offer alternative solutions to problems raised’.

Within Corporate and M&A, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

John Fitzpatrick heads CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s ‘excellent’ and ‘outstanding’ team, which advised Iberdrola on the indirect acquisition of an 80MW wind farm project in Dobrogea. It also advised Bancroft Private Equity on the acquisition of Dumagas. Alexandra Florea and the ‘brilliant’ Horea Popescu are also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s ‘responsive, commercial and capable’ practice is ‘efficient and thorough’. It advised Bank of Cyprus on a complex matter regarding an investigation by Romanian authorities concerning the acquisition of a large portfolio of shares in a Romanian financial institution. Managing partner Gabriel Sidere is ‘outstanding’ and senior associate Florin Dutu is also recommended.

Within Energy and natural resources, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s ‘responsive and reliable’ team advised Renaissance Capital on the listing of a 9.84% package of shares in OMV Petrom; Iberdrola Energias Renovables on a substantial wind farm development project; and Raffles Energy on the acquisition of a subsidiary of Aurelian Oil and Gas. Todd Robinson heads the team, which includes the highly recommended John Fitzpatrick.

Within IT, telecoms and media, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s ‘very reliable team’ is recommended for its ‘vast industry knowledge’, and for being ‘focused on the needs of the client’. It represented Microsoft Romania in various commercial and IP disputes and acted for Erste Bank and BCR on the outsourcing of IT and telecoms work linked to certain banking products. It also advised UTC in Romania regarding various technology matters. John Fitzpatrick heads the department.

Within Legal market overview,

Historically, firms such as Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen, Musat & Asociatii and Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii have dominated the market, but these are now being challenged by firms including Peli Filip, Popovici Nitu & Asociatii, Voicu & Filipescu SCA, and Kinstellar, as well as Eversheds Lina & Guia, which is the result of recent tie-up between Eversheds LLP and Lina & Guia SCA. Other international firms such as CMS Cameron McKenna SCA, Clifford Chance Badea, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP and Salans are also a strong presence.

Within Public private partnership and procurement, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘thorough’ Todd Robinson heads CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s PPP department, which advised a consortium including Franz Kassecker and Bilfinger Berger on all aspects of the €68m Railway Bridge Rehabilitation Project. It also advised Elster Aerotech on public procurement issues relating to a manufacturing contract.

Within Real estate, tier 4

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA is experienced in advising investors on real estate investments in Romania. It acted for Iberdrola Renovables on the acquisition of its first Romanian wind farm. The ‘first-rate’ Roxana Fratila heads the team.