Leading firms in Montenegro
Harrisons Solicitors
Harrisons Solicitors provides comprehensive advice to international clients on corporate and commercial, banking and finance, and real estate matters, and is able to draw on the resources of the firm's Serbian office. Head of team Mark Harrison and consultant Goran Martinovic are advising Porto Montenegro and Investment Corporation of Dubai on real estate developments in Tivat. Senior associate Milan Keker, who joined the team in September 2017 from Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers, assisted Dahlem with compliance issues regarding an agreement with Vodacom for the construction and operation of wastewater treatment plants. Consultant Ines Matijevic-Papulin focuses on banking transactions and recently acted for the IFC on the long-term debt financing of the City of Podgorica for the construction of a portion of the city’s ring road, as well as for Credit Suisse, as one of the lenders, on a facility agreement with the Republic of Montenegro as the borrower. Senior associate Vera Vucelic-Radunovic left the firm in September 2018 to join VR Law Firm.
Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr
At Moravcevic Vojnovic and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr, clients can count on a team of ‘excellent lawyers, who are responsive and devoted’, and ‘have a lot of knowledge and considerable experience’. Led out of Serbia by Slaven Moravčević, who is ‘exceptional in every aspect of his work’, the practice advises on all corporate-related issues, including M&A transactions, banking and finance matters and energy projects. Recent highlights include assisting Slovenia Broadband with implementing the merger between its Montenegrin subsidiaries and affiliates, advising EPCG on the development and construction of the second block of the 250MW thermal power plant in Pljevlja, and advising various international banks on the issuance of a high-value bond by the State of Montenegro. The team also regularly acts for clients from the public sector; it successfully defended the government of Montenegro in an arbitration brought by the Central European Aluminium Company regarding the failure of an aluminum plant in Podgorica. ‘Exceptionally efficient’ Ivana Panić, who was promoted to partner in February 2018 alongside Marija Zdravković, has ‘a strong knowledge of construction industry standards’, and Miloš Laković is ‘one of the best lawyers for commercial and corporate matters, especially in relation to privatisation issues’.
BDK Advokati
BDK Advokati is highly rated for its advice on M&A transactions, real estate and construction, and energy matters. The team, which is led by Luka Popović in Podgorica, often works in cooperation with the firm's Serbian office, as exemplified in its advice to the government of Montenegro alongside Serbia-based Tijana Kojović on the exit of A2A from a shared ownership in the majority state-owned electricity producer EPCG and its reprivatisation. Popović also assisted Iberostar with its expansion in Montenegro, including the acquisition of local companies involved in several hotel projects. Belgrade-based Dragoljub Cibulić acted for CGES and the government of Montenegro on the development of an underwater power cable between Italy and Montenegro jointly with the Italian transmission system operator Terna.
CMS
CMS’ team has strong experience in handling cross-border banking and finance matters and acts for clients including GE Capital, the OTP group and Michelin. In recent highlights, Milica Popović assisted the joint venture of Swiss Orascom and the government of Montenegro with financing for the Luštica Bay project and advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the IFC on the refinancing of the Delta mall acquisitions in Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. Another field of expertise is the energy sector and the team recently worked alongside its Serbian office to represent EVN in disputes pertaining to real estate and construction issues arising from several investment projects, including wastewater treatment and desalinisation plants.
Joksovic, Stojanovic & Partners
Based in Belgrade, Joksovic, Stojanovic & Partners handles a range of corporate, competition and real estate matters in Montenegro. Recent highlights include advising the government of Montenegro on implementing the contract for the construction of the Bar-Boljare motorway and assisting Qatari Diar Montenegro with the development of the tourist complex BlueHorizons, including drafting agreements and representing the client in disputes. On the competition front, M&A expert Petar Stojanovic acted for Nelt and Alkemy alongside associate Goran Vucic on the competition clearance for a joint venture project. The team also advised Caterpillar on the loans needed for the purchase of equipment and securitisation by means of a registered pledge.
Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers
Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers is particularly active in IP, and real estate and construction, and is also involved in banking and finance matters. The team, headed by senior associate Milena Rončević in cooperation with Milan Lazić from the Serbian office, is advising Akuo Energy on the financing for the development of a wind power plant and manages the trade mark portfolio of Colgate-Palmolive and Philip Morris in several jurisdictions. Other clients include Staunch and Azmont Investments. Senior associate Milan Keker joined Harrisons Solicitors in September 2017.
Law Office Miroslav Stojanovic, in cooperation with Wolf Theiss
Serbia-based Law Office Miroslav Stojanovic, in cooperation with Wolf Theiss regularly handles corporate and real estate mandates. Miroslav Stojanović is assisting QD Hotel and Property Investment Montenegro with all real estate and other legal matters regarding the development of a large luxury hotel and residential complex in Tivat.
NKO Partners
NKO Partners advises several subcontractors, including Prysmian Powerlink and Nexans Norway, on various aspects of local law concerning the Monita project for a new submarine power link between Montenegro and Italy. Practice head Djordje Ivanovic is also assisting Japan Tobacco with the newly enacted regulations on tobacco and acted for INA Montenegro on the acquisition of land for the development of petrol stations. Actavis is also a client.
Prelevic Law Firm
Prelevic Law Firm in Podgorica advises domestic and international clients on various mandates across a range of industry sectors including financial services, tourism and energy. Managing partner Dragan Prelevic is renowned for his real estate work and attorney-at-law Marko Ivkovic specialises in corporate law matters.
Law Office Vujacic
The two-partner team at Law Office Vujacic has a wide range of expertise and is led by Sasha Vujacic, a banking and corporate expert best known for handling privatisations, foreign investments and M&A mandates. Jelena Vujisic is highly regarded for her real estate, tax and litigation work.
Ana Dukanovic Attorney at Law
At Ana Dukanovic Attorney at Law, name partner Ana Đukanović is well known for her expertise in a wide range of areas, including litigation, corporate and real estate. Marko Hajduković is also recommended.