Commercial, corporate and M&A in Bosnia & Herzegovina

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz D.O.O. in cooperation with local lawyers

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz D.O.O. in cooperation with local lawyers' corporate team has expertise across a number of industries, including life sciences, technology, and consumer goods. The group is able to leverage its international network to act for international investors, recently acting on a major joint venture in the energy industry. It also draws on the firm's strength in financing for key banking and financial services transactions. Nedžida Salihović-Whalen and Andrea Zubović-Devedžić lead the team. They are supported by Indir Osmić.

Other key lawyers:

Indir Osmić; Sanja Voloder

Key clients

European Bank for Restructuring and Development

Wizz Air Hungary Zrt.

Finish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd (FINNFUND) and KPA UNICON GROUP

AUSTRIAN SOCIAL FUND

WAGNER AG WALDSTATT

European Fund for Southeast Europe

Soda Sisecam Lukavac

Heta Asset Resolution AG

Grohe

Work highlights

  • Advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the acquisition of shares in Eastern Mining d.o.o. Bosnian subsidiary of Adriatic Metals PL.
  • Advised Wizz Air Hungary Zrt. on the establishment of a local subsidiary.
  • Representing WAGNER AG WALDSTATT in a shareholder dispute in a Bosnian- Herzegovinian company the client co-owns with a locally-based shareholder.

Dimitrijevic & Partners

The team at Dimitrijevic & Partners has a broad corporate and M&A practice, with a particular strength advising highly regulated industries. In addition to acting for existing clients in the food and beverage, professional services and infrastructure industries, it has expanded its client roster to include companies in the life sciences and energy sectors. Its work spans from standard transactional and governance advice to tax issues and contentious matters. Practice heads Stevan Dimitrijević, Davorin Marinković and Nina Vještica focus on mid-market and cross-border work.

Practice head(s):

Stevan Dimitrijević; Davorin Marinković; Nina Vještica

Testimonials

The team is very professional, knowledgeable and on time with their advice.

I would point out Nina Vjestica as our main contact. Her advice has always been sharp and precise.

Key clients

Banjaluka Brewery

Altima Partners

PepsiCo

Affidea, Banjaluka

Ministry of finance of the Republic of Srpska

Colgate Palmolive

De Heus Nutrition Company

Vitinka

H&M

Glovoapp

MKD Mikrofin

Alumil

Kraš

Mlijekoprodukt d.o.o.

SIJ

Work highlights

  • Advised Kras d.d. Zagreb on its taking over of shares, and subsequently in the squeeze out process in Mira ad Prijedor.
  • Advising Glovoapp, global courier and delivery services provider, on its entry to the Bosnian market.
  • Advising Celex on various corporate matters.

Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers

Known for its M&A work, Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers is a popular choice for major corporate clients. In addition to transactional work, it has a sizeable advisory practice, including handling regulatory issues relating to market entrance, and matters relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. Restructurings and joint ventures are other strengths of the team. Nihad Sijerčić leads the team, with strengths advising energy, and financial services clients. Associate Amina Đugum is also notable for her presence on the banking and finance team, and her focus on capital markets.

Practice head(s):

Nihad Sijerčić

Other key lawyers:

Amina Đugum

Testimonials

Great team!

Nihad Sijerčić, the best on the market.

Key clients

Telemach

Mid Europa Partners

Addiko Group

Veritas AG

Via Media

Philip Morris

Henkel

Brilliant GmbH

LIDL

Fabrika Cementa Lukavac

Work highlights

  • Advised Veritas AG on the process of the sale of its Bosnian subsidiary, Veritas Automotive.
  • Representing United Group in a number of proceedings before the competition authorities and telecoms regulators in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Assisted Mid Europa Partners in the process of the potential sale of Moji Brendovi Group.

Maric & Co Law Firm

Maric & Co Law Firm's team has an emphasis on M&A, restructuring and general corporate advice and advises national and international clients. Banks make up a key client base for the group. Dijana Ivanovic and Bojana Bošnjak-London jointly head the team, advising on financial services and foreign investment matters respectively. Due to its membership of the SEE Legal network, it has links across 12 separate jurisdictions in South-East Europe.

Practice head(s):

Dijana Ivanovic; Bojana Bošnjak-London

Other key lawyers:

Branko Maric

Testimonials

‘We have worked with Marić & Co on various issues including finance, corporate, IP, litigation and so on. In all areas, they were able to provide top quality service and to always capture the essence of our problems.  All work done was very good and the transaction is running smoothly.’

‘Maric and Co Law Firm always go above and beyond in quickly answering our questions. and help guide us in providing positive outcomes. We are so grateful for everyone at Maric and Co Law Firm.’

‘We have received excellent service, exactly what we needed.’

‘Creative, efficient, focused on the goal we expected, without any unnecessary complications.’

‘They are responsive, quick and thorough.’

‘Our primary contact is Branko Marić, but we also work a lot with Bojana Bošnjak-London and I would highly recommend them both.’

Key clients

Technip

DEG

JYSK

DDC MLS

M.T. Abraham Group

TEGoVA

Hilti

Cisco

Porsche BH

Inditex S.A.

Coca Cola HBC BH

Adriatic Metals PLC

Fortenova

Work highlights

  • Advised Fortenova Group on all Bosnian law aspects of the €615m sale of Ledo group to Nomad Foods.
  • Advised Tekvor Care on setting up a joint venture for the establishment of a factory for the production of medical beds.
  • Advised AbbVie on the implementation in Bosnia of worldwide restructuring plans.

Law Office Miljkovic & Partners

Law Office Miljkovic & Partners is known for its strong transactional arm, offering both domestic and cross-border capabilities. The team’s client roster is notably broad, covering banks, financial services companies and companies in the construction sector, among others. It is known for advising on major takeover attempts. Practice head Sead Miljković has a broad range of M&A experience covering the advisory, drafting and negotiating pieces of the transactional process. Amar Bajramović and Maja Šimunac are also well regarded.

Practice head(s):

Sead Miljković

Other key lawyers:

Amar Bajramović ; Maja Šimunac

Testimonials

Responsiveness and professionalism.

The team is very professional and responsive.

We have great communication with them, and all of them are very reliable.

The team is solution-focused, quick in responding and extremely dedicated.

Maja Šimunac and Amar Bajramović are insightful and solution-oriented.

Sead Miljković is upfront and business oriented, with a focus on solutions.

The firm has a team of lawyers, which have knowledge and experience in various industries and are experts in various fields of law, which is very important us as we are outsourcing all our legal services and we are therefore in need to have legal advisers who understand business and regulatory aspects of our industry.

Key clients

MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Plc

INA d.d. Zagreb

Addiko Bank

Regional Cooperation Council

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

LC Waikiki Group

dm drogeriemarkt

Apollo Fund

CT-technologies ApS

Ergomed Plc

Work highlights

  • Advising ASA Finance d.d. in relation to the takeover of a majority share of Central Osiguranje d.d.
  • Advising client EBRD on providing a €2m loan to support the expansion of TEM Mandeks.

Law Office Mirna Milanovic-Lalic

Law Office Mirna Milanovic-Lalic has a broad commercial law practice, with particular expertise in the energy, media, real estate, and financial services industries. It is particularly well known for its pharmaceutical expertise, and is sought out to advise international companies on entering the Bosnian legal market. Mirna Milanović-Lalić  combines contentious and IP expertise alongside her commercial workload. She jointly heads the team with Jasmina Suljović and Belma Dervišević.

Practice head(s):

Mirna Milanović-Lalić

Other key lawyers:

Jasmina Suljović; Belma Dervišević

Testimonials

The firm is well positioned within the Bosnian law market.’

‘They provide full scope of corporate / commercial law advice.’

‘They are easily reachable, even on a short notice.’

‘Team is knowledgeable about laws and practices in Bosnia, and we appreciate that they can support us in both Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska.’

Mirna Milanović -Lalić is an extremely competent managing partner and expert in the field of IP.

Jasmina Suljović is responsive, knowledgeable and provides very practical and pro-active advice.

Belma Dervišević – very responsive and professional.

Mirna Milanovic Lalic – a true leader with extensive experience and expertise to understand the “whole picture” which is really important in the software development industry. Very pragmatic and practical.

Key clients

Microsoft Corporation

Ministry of Programming d.o.o. Sarajevo

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Addiko Bank d.d. Sarajevo

Glosarij CD d.o.o. Sarajevo

Balcanica d.o.o. Sarajevo member of Teddy S.p.a Group

Networks Int and Foundation Networks d.o.o. Sarajevo

Tendam Balkans

CWT Bosnia and Herzegovina – Independently owned and operated by Globtour Event d.o.o.

Dekonta d.o.o. Sarajevo

Pliva d.o.o.Sarajevo

INTIME d.o.o. Sarajevo

Association of Filmmakers

Telemach d.o.o. Sarajevo

MIKRO+POLO d.o.o. Sarajevo

Work highlights

  • Represented MIKRO+POLO d.o.o. Sarajevo in a matter involving appealing the decisions of public institutions in public procurement cases.
  • Advised IN TIME d.o.o. Sarajevo on employment matters.
  • Advised the Ministry of Programming on a matter involving taking an equity interest in a foreign start-up company

Schoenherr Serbia

Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr's serves a mix of local and international clients, with a particular emphasis on multijurisdictional transactional matters. Industry expertise includes pharmaceuticals, energy, real estate and financial services. Minela Šehović is a key name to note in Sarajevo, advising on market entrances and M&A matters. Associate Azem Ahmic is also noted. Matija Vojnovic and Luka Lopičić lead the team from Belgrade.

Practice head(s):

Matija VojnovicLuka Lopičić

Other key lawyers:

Minela ŠehovićAzem Ahmic

Testimonials

‘Minela Sehovic is covering all corporate law matters locally, it is always a pleasure to work with her. She is an experienced lawyer, and she knows how to handle any matter in understandable way and with a practical approach.’

‘People collaboration’

‘The team has all skills needed for the practice – diversity, experience, understanding of the needs of clients – social skills needed for such processes; all this built on a strong knowledge and experience.’

‘The team is very good. They operate by high international standards and are widespread across the region thus having excellent people in the international team, and they always invest in people. That is their main strength.’

‘Matija Vojnovic leads an outstanding M&A team that he built from scratch over the past decades in a challenging market – he always looks for new talents and involves them in the business – most valuable in times where every firm looks for talent, is the ability of the firm to establish long term co-operations with the team so that the law firm, team and client grow hand in hand.’

‘Matija Vojnovic is one of the most prominent corporate/M&A experts in the region. He always delivers high-quality legal input and specialised advice and can handle any complex transactional work.’

‘Luka Lopicic is a very professional lawyer, straight to the point and very hard working. I admire his commitment and pragmatic guidance.’

Key clients

Phoenix Pharma

UniCredit

Getinge Group

Hidroelektrana Dabar d.o.o. Trebinje

Javno preduzeće Elektroprivreda Republike Srbije (JP EPS)

Tom Tailor GmbH

Salvado Investment Corp

Partnera Oyj

Endava

Work highlights

  • Advised Endava on the acquisition of Comtrade Digital Services.
  • Advising Elektroprivreda Srbije on the construction of three hydro plants on the river Drina.
  • Advised Partnera Oyj on the acquisition of Finnish limited liability company KPA Unicon Group Oy.

Wolf Theiss - in cooperation with local lawyers

Wolf Theiss – in cooperation with local lawyers is best known for its transactional practice but also provides general corporate advisory services to its roster of major international clients. Energy is a core sector of expertise for the team and it advises on acquisitions and market entrances in this space. It also offers corporate dispute resolution services. Naida Čustović leads the team.

Practice head(s):

Naida Čustović

Key clients

APS Recovery Management s.r.o.

Eli Lilly B-H d.o.o.

Abbvie Inc.

CINEPLEXX International GmbH

Lexmark BH d.o.o.

Teleperformance, Germany

Addiko banka d.d. Sarajevo

Addiko banka a.d. Banja Luka

Raiffeisen Landesbank, Austria

Raiffeisen Bank International

ArcelorMittal Zenica

Keune Adrija BiH

Keune Adriatic

Cisco USA

Crosc Inc.

Unicredit bank Mostar d.d.

Pivovarna Laško

Sinochem

NIS a.d.

Nishimura & Asahi

Unis Fagas d.o.o.

Dinners club. BiH

Sparkasse Bank BH d.d.

Erste Club Card

Suzlon, BiH

GlovoApp23 S.L.

Work highlights

  • Assisting Glovoapp23 S.L with the multijurisdictional acquisition of the operations of another food delivery platform.

BDK Advokati

The ‘proactive, commercial and on the ball’ corporate team at BDK Advokati advises foreign investors on Bosnian acquisitions. With offices in Montenegro and Serbia, it has particular expertise in matters involving all three countries. Belgrade-based Vladimir Dašić and Tijana Kojović lead the team. Banja Luka-based associate Dijana Pejić Šinik is another key name for her cross-border transactional work.

Other key lawyers:

Dijana Pejić Šinik

Testimonials

The team is proactive, commercial and on the ball.’

‘They work on some of the most innovative deals in their market.

Tijana Kojovic is always present on deals and anticipates issues that will be of importance to her clients, and is a strong advocate for her client’s interests.’

‘Tijana Kojovic is a strong technical lawyer who also understands the commercial nuance and strategic considerations of deals.

Key clients

Syndicate of banks led by Société Générale

BC Partners

Nomad Foods

The European Federation of Energy Traders

UniCredit Czech Republic and Slovakia

Mahler Projekt GmbH & Co.

Work highlights

  • Advised the joint lead managers led by Societe Generale, on Republika Srpska’s offering of €300m in global eurobonds.
  • Advising Nomad Foods on the acquisition of Fortenova Group’s Frozen Food Business Group.
  • Advising UniCredit Czech Republic and Slovakia on APS’s refinancing of public bonds issue.

Doklestic Repic & Gajin

Though primarily Serbian based, Doklestic Repic & Gajin has a noteworthy presence in the Bosnian market, offering cross-border and domestic advice alike. The team is particularly active in the construction, finance, and energy sectors. Kerim Karabdic serves as the key contact out of Sarajevo and is known for his advice to foreign investors and financiers.

Practice head(s):

Kerim Karabdic

Other key lawyers:

Slobodan Doklestic

Testimonials

‘Something I appreciate about Doklestic Repic & Gajin is the scope of matters they are able to handle.’

‘I appreciate Doklestic Repic & Gajin’s billing policy. To be concrete – their ability to bill me for their services throughout the region within one invoice. This makes the administration of invoices by my company much easier and saves us an unnecessary waste of time and expenses we would have if we would have to each time deal with different invoices instead of with one.’

‘Doklestic Repic & Gajin have so far been a reliable partner, to whom I can send even my most valuable clients, without any anxiety about how they would deal with them.’

‘Another distinction of Doklestic Repic & Gajin is that they can cover the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’m not sure to what extent that is obvious from the outside, but I have learned in practice that Bosnia and Herzegovina really consists of two different legal systems – Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. And since Doklestic Repic & Gajin have offices in both Banja Luka and Sarajevo, they can cover the entire country.’

‘Their great advantage over competitors based in Belgrade is that they are also directly present in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That really makes a difference – by reaching out to one contact, we can simultaneously resolve three jurisdictions.’

‘Another reason we would like to continue working with them and sending them work for Bosnia and Herzegovina is their ability to cover even the most complex matters in Bosnia. They do that through a combination of the capacity in their Belgrade office and their lawyers on the ground in Bosnia.’

‘Slobodan Doklestic: Even though he is based in Serbia, I can also reach out to him about Bosnia, which is extremely handy. He is reliable and trustworthy and I like working with him – when I send him an assignment, I just know he and his team will resolve it.’

‘Kerim Karabdic is an experienced lawyer and it seems to me he has seen everything in his practice.’

Key clients

EBRD

Adecco

Beijing New Building Materials Plc.

Philip Morris

Nelt Co.

Baker McKenzie

Tarkett

Medicover / Synevo Laboratories

Hewlett Packard Inc.

CERHA HEMPEL

KIVA

Ridgewood Equity Partners

Kiwi Mobility

Eutelsat

Air France / KLM

Saint Gobain

DT Termo RUS

Work highlights

  • Advised Beijing New Building Materials Plc. on its investment into the Mine and Thermal Powerplant “Ugljevik.”
  • Advised Medicover on the contemplated acquisition of one of the largest laboratories in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Advised the EBRD as a lender on a transaction related to the provision of a loan facility to one of the largest microcredit organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Law firm SAJIC

Law firm SAJIC is known for its broad corporate practice, advising on acquisitions and divestments, company establishment and corporate governance. It is particularly well known for its work with clients in the tech industry, where it is able to leverage its IP knowledge to provide an integrated legal service. The team also acts for clients in newer areas including AI, blockchain and digital retail. Aleksandar Sajic, Natasa Krejic, and Sanja Đukić are the key names.

Practice head(s):

Aleksandar SajicNatasa Krejic

Other key lawyers:

Sanja Đukić

Key clients

NLB Bank Slovenia

Binis

Bitminer

HIDRAULIKA FLEX d.o.o. Laktaši

ProCredit

Carmeuse

PAVGORD

SberBank

Interenergo Slovenia

Lutrija RS

Ciambella

Work highlights

  • Advised NLB Bank on its take-over of the majority of shares in Komercijalna Banka a.d. Beograd.
  • Advising Bitminer Factory on a lawsuit for damages and compensation due to failure to fulfil contractual obligations.
  • Advising Elektroprenos on a dispute worth more than €30m.