The Legal 500

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

Clients deem CMS Cameron McKenna SCA ‘best in the market’ for banking and finance work owing to its ‘high levels of professionalism and solution-oriented attitude’. Aside from acting on various high-level restructuring matters, the firm was also active on several large new money transactions including advising Alpha Bank, EFG Eurobank and Bank of Cyprus (as lead arrangers) in the €80m investment finance for the City Gate transaction, a large office development in Bucharest. The practice also advised Banca Comerciala Romana on the €90m construction finance for the Silver Mountain hotel, residential and leisure development in Poiana Brasov, Romania’s most popular ski resort. Simon Dayes heads up the practice and is ‘extremely professional and very well prepared’. Simona Marin is also highly regarded by clients.

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

With extensive experience across international transactions, restructurings and workouts, CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s corporate team is described as ‘excellent’ by clients. The firm has significant expertise in private equity deals and complex cross-border transactions; it has strengthened its private equity capability considerably with the arrival of a seven-strong team with Magic Circle experience in the CEE region. Representative transactions include acting for 3i Group on the sale of the majority shareholding in Centrul Medical Unirea, a leading Romanian medical services provider, to Advent International. On the energy side, the practice advised Iberdrola in a €300m investment agreement with Eolica Dobrogea. The advice concerns a 1600MW wind farm project in Romania and includes ongoing work on regulatory issues. John Fitzpatrick heads up the corporate team and is recommended; Horea Popescu is ‘a good negotiator with fantastic attention to detail’. Todd Robinson is also well regarded in the market.

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

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA has extensive expertise in large international arbitration matters in Romania. Clients describe the service as ‘excellent’. The practice advised the Romanian state in a $147m investment treaty arbitration dispute before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). It also acted for foreign investors on a €50m claim before the same tribunal against the Government of Bulgaria arising out of the termination of concession agreements in the waste management sector. Gabriel Sidere is highly respected.

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

Clients deem the energy practice at CMS Cameron McKenna SCA ‘excellent’. Managing partner Todd Robinson leads a full service team. The firm acted for Iberdrola Energias Renovables on the development of a €300m wind energy project in Romania with a total planned capacity of around 1,600MW. It acts for Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) on the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant project. The practice is also representing GE Energy and Vestas with regard to renewable projects in Romania. John Fitzpatrick is recommended.

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

Highly regarded John Fitzpatrick heads up the TMT practice at CMS Cameron McKenna SCA. The firm acts for a number of large technology players across IP, disputes and general commercial matters, with clients describing the practice as ‘very client oriented’. The practice is advising BT Group on data protection and other regulatory and commercial issues arising from the company’s Romanian activities, as well as on various commercial agreements with Romanian counterparties. It also acted for GTS, the largest alternative telecom operator in Central Europe, on data protection and other regulatory issues related to international data transfers and shared data centres.

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

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA has a full service PPP practice which works with international clients on everything from financing a project to specialist dispute resolution. The practice is providing ongoing advice to Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) on its participation in the pre-project agreement for two more units to the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. Todd Robinson is the name to note.

Within Real estate, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a third tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s real estate expertise extends to leases, development, retail, finance, planning, environment as well as concessions and public procurement aspects of infrastructure and energy projects. Clients deem the service level to be ‘excellent’. The firm is advising Atenor, a Belgian real estate investor on issues relating to permitting and zoning, design and build agreements and post acquisition matters concerning the phased construction and development of a series of office and shopping buildings in Bucharest. On the residential side, the practice acted for Gea International on a condominium development in the Northern area of Bucharest. Dan Mares leads the practice; clients praise his ‘practical and accurate advice’.