Firms To Watch: Projects and energy

Legal Partners Law Firm, in cooperation with Deloitte Legal‘ growing projects and energy practice stands out for its expertise in advising international clients on major infrastructure matters in the country.

Projects and energy in Bosnia & Herzegovina

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

A popular choice for foreign investors, CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz D.O.O. in cooperation with local lawyers offers a strong project and energy practice known for its work on large-scale energy and infrastructure development projects and cross-border project financing. The latter is a key strength of the firm, bolstered by its banking and finance department. Nedžida Salihović-Whalen focuses on transactional and contentious matters and Indir Osmić has significant experience advising on cross-border energy projects. 

Practice head(s):

Indir Osmić

Other key lawyers:

Nedžida Salihović-Whalen

Key clients

European Bank for Restructuring and Development

Soda Sisecam Lukavac

Grohe

Akzo Nobel N.V.

Austrian Social Fund

Press Ganey

Wagner AG Waldstatt

Hitachi Energy

Alpiq AG

Goodyear

Otis

Wizz Air Hungary Zrt.

ALPLA

Mann Hummel

Work highlights

  • Advising the EBRD on all aspects of the financing of the EBRD-Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP), which supports energy efficiency in the Western Balkan countries with the public sector.
  • Advising Press Ganey, a healthcare consulting and research technology platform company, on the acquisition of shares in a local company.
  • Advising Alpiq, a company in the field of energy generation, trading and sales, in relation to business activities regarding energy regulation and business law in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dimitrijevic & Partners

Dimitrijevic & Partners stands out for its energy and infrastructure expertise and counts development banks, major local and international energy companies, and public sector developers among its clients. Road infrastructure and renewable energy are core areas of expertise for the firm, which also handles a number of construction and infrastructure-related disputes. Practice head Davorin Marinković advises major domestic energy producers and suppliers on concessions, public procurement and joint venture agreements. He is assisted by senior associate Nikola Markočević, whose work centres on highway and energy facility development.

Practice head(s):

Davorin Marinković

Other key lawyers:

Nikola Markočević

Key clients

Linklaters Beijing – China Development Bank Corporation

OHL Z.S. Brno, Czech Republic

GET Holding

Highways of the Republic of Srpska, Banjaluka

EFT group

German International Cooperation Agency GmbH (GIZ)

Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske

Elektroprivreda BiH

Sunshine

Aspiravi International

United Nations Development Program – Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Zero Emissions / GET Holding

VZB Capital

Lykos Metals Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising Elektroprivreda BiH, a major power utility in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on contractual relations with the EPC contractor for a new multimillion thermal power plant.
  • Advising Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, a producer and supplier of electricity, on joint ventures, concessions and public procurement for new energy facilities.
  • Advising Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on technical assistance for improvement of the legislative framework in the country for new renewable projects, in order to support decarbonisation.

Law Office Miljkovic & Partners

Known for its deep knowledge of the commercial, technical and regulatory aspects of the energy industry, Law Office Miljkovic & Partners‘ projects and energy team is sought by clients for assistance in major energy projects, project financing and contentious issues. The lattermost is a key area of expertise for the firm, with contract and infrastructure-related arbitration and dispute resolution matters constituting a significant part of its caseload. Founder and managing partner Sead Miljković leads the team, aided by public procurement and regulatory matters specialist Amar Bajramović.

Practice head(s):

Sead Miljković

Other key lawyers:

Amar Bajramović

Testimonials

‘We have very positive experiences with the firm. They have knowledge and experience in complex legal matters and provide proactive and business-oriented support. We have finally found a local firm with international standards. The service they provide is client-oriented and professional. Their team is flexible and committed and their experience wide.’

‘Our main contacts for all project matters are Amar Bajramovic and Sead Miljkovic who both have demonstrated deep understanding and experience in these matters.’

Key clients

wpd Adria

MOL Plc

Ivicom

JP Ceste

Strabag

Work highlights

  • Advising ASA Group as investor in relation to a FIDIC-based contract with Strabag for a project involving the first private general hospital in Sarajevo.
  • Advising Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie with regards to BiH legal matters in relation to ICC arbitration concerning a railway rehabilitation project in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Engaged by EBRD to advise public company Motorways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the project of financing a motorway section, which is part of Corridor Vc.

Wolf Theiss - in cooperation with local lawyers

Wolf Theiss - in cooperation with local lawyers acts for domestic and international corporations and financial institutions, with particular expertise advising on transactional issues in relation to conventional and renewable energy projects. Practice head Naida Čustović handles large-scale mandates, advising on project financing, regulatory compliance and M&A in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Senior associate Ilma Kasumagić advises clients on permit procedures, tenders and due diligence.

Practice head(s):

Naida Čustović

Other key lawyers:

Ilma Kasumagić

Key clients

NIS j.s.c.

Work highlights

  • Advising NIS Novi Sad, a Serbian multinational oil and gas company and one of the largest exporters, in connection to becoming the sole shareholder of Jadtran-Naftagass Banja Luka.

Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers

The energy practice at Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers acts for foreign investors in the development of major energy and infrastructure projects, with an increasing focus on wind power projects. The team often advises on project finance, regulatory compliance, construction matters and public procurement projects. With offices in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, the team is sought out for its deep knowledge of local regulations and sector-specific expertise across all major areas of energy. Nihad Sijerčić leads the team, assisted by public procurement specialist Amina Đugum.

Practice head(s):

Nihad Sijerčić

Other key lawyers:

Amina Đugum

Key clients

Energy Community

VESTAS AG

Brilliant 3221 GmbH

Hering

Telemach

Henkel

Dar Al Arkan Property Development LLC

Kolektor

PowerChina Resources Limited

Energi Danmark

Work highlights

  • Assisting EBRD with amendments to the BiH energy efficiency legislation.
  • Assisting a client with the development of a wind power plant, which will be the biggest wind farm and the largest-ever investment in renewable energy sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Advising CEXIM on the contemplated financing of the Banja Luka – Prijedor highway.

Maric & Co Law Firm

Maric & Co Law Firm assists clients in the private and public sectors with energy, construction and infrastructure matters. The team has particular experience in foreign investment and project finance, in which it acts for domestic and international lenders and borrowers. Renewable energy is another area of growing expertise for the firm. Slaven Dizdar heads the practice, specialising in project finance and renewable energy, and with extensive experience advising on multi-jurisdictional public infrastructure, construction and energy projects.

Practice head(s):

Slaven Dizdar

Other key lawyers:

Branko Marić

Key clients

Public Company Elektroprivreda BiH JSC

Suzlon Wind Energy A/S Denmark

InterEnergo Group Slovenia / Kelag Group Austria

Kolektor Group Slovenia

EBRD

Adriatic Metals PLC

Shandong International

Work highlights

  • Advising Shandong International and its Bosnian subsidiary SDHS-CSI BH Banja Luka on the continuation of the Banja Luka-Prijedor-Novi Grad highway construction project.
  • Advising public company Elektroprivreda BiH JSC on the construction of Block 7 of the Tuzla Thermoelectric Power Plant, valued at over €750m.
  • Advising EBRD in relation to six loans to local banks in Bosnia & Herzegovina, as well as a loan granted to a subsidiary of AS Holding, projects related to construction and/or reconstruction of supply facilities.

Law firm SAJIC

Known for its broad projects and energy experience, Law firm SAJIC advises bidders, borrowers, lenders and concessionaires from the energy and mining industries. The team also advises on road and infrastructure projects, acting for foreign clients on project finance, due diligence and transactional matters. Founding partner Aleksandar Sajic co-heads the team, advising international clients on acquisitions and developments, together with energy expert Milica Karadza.

Practice head(s):

Aleksandar Sajic; Milica Karadza

Other key lawyers:

Zeljko Vlacic

Key clients

Interenergo Slovenia

Carmeuse

Energo Company

Work highlights

  • Advised a consortium consisting of Ehe and Interenergo on the process of selection of the most favourable bidder for the project of JP DEP-OT Banja Luka, which is a public company managing regional landfill.
  • Acting as legal consultant to a client on various issues, especially on its investment projects, participation in public procurement procedures and contracting with public authorities.

Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr

Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr‘s projects and energy team advises clients on large renewable energy projects, with an emphasis on hydroelectric power plants. Clients include local and multinational entities in the energy and electricity, construction and mining industries. Minela Šehović leads the team from the Sarajevo office, with support from Belgrade-based partner Matija Vojnović.

Practice head(s):

Matija Vojnovic

Key clients

Thales Group

Arcore AG

Hidroelektrana Dabar d.o.o. Trebinje

Elektroprivreda Srbije

Azvirt Limited Liability Company

Partnera Oyj

Work highlights

  • Advising Hydro Power Plant Dabar as borrower in connection with a €189m loan facility granted by the Export-Import Bank of China for the development of a 160MW hydropower plant.
  • Advising Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) in relation to the development of one of the largest investment projects in the energy sector of the country, the construction of three hydro plants on the river Drina.
  • Advising Thales Group on approx. €35m worth proceedings challenging public procurements passport booklets, drivers’ licenses and ID cards.