Polenak Law Firm’s corporate department advises its roster of domestic and international clients across the energy, banking, telecoms, automotive, IP and infrastructure sectors on a range of mandates, including M&A transactions, as well as competition law and labour issues. The firm’s banking and finance department, which is jointly led by managing partner Kristijan Polenak
and corporate lead Tatjana Shishkovska, has experience in cross-border secured financing transactions. Recent highlights include advising NLB Banka AD Skopje as mandated lead arranger, agent and lender, in a €72m syndicated lending for financing the construction of East Gate Mall in Skopje. Aleksandar Dimic heads the firm’s litigation department, while Metodija Velkov focuses on competition, regulatory and compliance matters. The firm welcomed new partner Tanja Polenak in June 2021, who previously headed the legal department at Eurolink.
Leading firms in North Macedonia
Polenak Law Firm
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Testimonials
‘Kristijan Polenak provides outstanding, precise and result-focused outcomes.’
‘The team is highly experienced and knowledgeable.’
‘Tatjana Shishkovska gives practical, sound and business-based advice.’
‘Dedication to the client needs, experienced advice, forward-looking and pragmatic approach to problems.’
‘Kristijan Polenak is fast, has good business knowledge and also expertise in investments and M&A.’
‘Aleksandar Dimic is responsive and reliable.’
Key clients
Adient
Johnson Matthey
Joyson Safety Systems (former Key Safety Systems)
Global Special Opportunities Fund
Philip Morris
Deutsche Telekom Group
Cevahir Holding
Wizzair
MAGNA Automotive Europe
Leopold Kostal
Inditex
LIMAK
Hellenic Petroleum
TITAN Cement
Diaverum AB
Gofi Group of Finance and Investment SA
NLB Banka
Gerresheimer Skopje
Work highlights
- Advised NLB Skopje as mandated lead arranger, the agent and lender in a €72m syndicated lending for financing the construction of East Gate Mall in Skopje.
- Advised Limak in its capacity as borrower in project financing for the development and construction of Diamond the Pride of Skopje, of up to €126.2m syndicated term loan facility.
- Advising Thor Impeks DOOEL in the development, financing, construction and operation of the 36MW Bogoslovec wind farm, a privately owned local investment in renewable energy in North Macedonia.
Apostolska, Aleksandrovski & Partners
Apostolska, Aleksandrovski & Partners is noted for its ‘broad knowledge in corporate law’, M&A and commercial matters, as well as energy, intellectual property and employment mandates. Key clients include Kromberg and Schubert and Colgate-Palmolive, and as a member South East Legal Alliance (SELA), Meritas and NextLaw, the team is well placed to advise international clients on high-profile transactions. The practice is jointly led by Igor Aleksandrovski, who is ‘skilled in local and international law with fruitful hands-on experience’, and ‘pragmatic leader’ Emilija Apostolska Temov. Svetlana Trendova handles employment and labour law matters, while Ana Kolevska focuses on commercial and corporate work. Ivana Kostovska, whose ‘attention to detail is unmatched’, acts for clients across the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.
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Testimonials
‘Emilija Apostolska Temov, managing partner, is a great communicator, has a huge depth of knowledge and consistently gives good and quality advice.’
‘The team is composed of highly professional and knowledgeable individuals.’
‘Cooperation with Igor Aleksandrovski is built on mutual understanding and trust. He is proactive, goes deep into the understanding of the business and analysis of the necessity of legal assistance for the company. He is skilled in local and international law with fruitful hands-on experience.’
‘A small but tightly-knit, educated, experienced and committed team. Always first to take the initiative, never late to respond. A highly successful and business-oriented law firm.’
‘Emilija Apostolska Temov is a pragmatic leader, determined to provide the best advice to a client. She always holds her team to the highest standards. Igor Aleksandrovski is very easy to work with, has great legal knowledge and know the local intricacies of the North Macedonian legal market. I would like to single out Ivana Kostovska as well. A very pragmatic attorney whose attention to detail is unmatched.’
‘The team is excellent, with broad knowledge in corporate law. They are building a strong relationship with their clients by tailoring their services to exact client needs and having proactive communication.’
Key clients
DS Smith JSC
Colgate/Palmolive
Kromberg & Schubert
Smart Money Solutions JSC
Phoenix Pharma DOOEL Skopje
Strabag
Samsung
Public Company Parking of Municipality of Centre
APAVE SEE
Qpick
Work highlights
- Advising Kromberg and Schubert on a range of matters, including labour, immigration, corporate, tax, environmental, data protection, customs procedures, competition and regulatory issues.
- Advising APAVE SEE on numerous matters related to corporate law, contracts, contracts with international elements, legal management, country-specific legal questions (national content regulations in African countries), labour, health and safety, quality management, and support in market penetration.
- Advising Colgate/Palmolive Adria on legal matters regarding operations in the Adria region.
Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers
Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers leverages its regional network to advise its roster of domestic and foreign clients on a range of cross-border mandates, from project financing to M&A transactions, as well as commercial and corporate matters. Frequently acting as local partner to multinational law firms, the ‘perfectly organised’ and growing team also advises clients on data protection compliance issues. Newly promoted partner Veton Qoku heads the local practice and handles finance, energy and infrastructure projects, particularly in North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. Ljupka Noveska Andonova focuses on banking and finance, healthcare, labour and employment mandates.
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Testimonials
‘The team is perfectly organised and managed to deal efficiently with large cross-border transactions, even under significant time pressure.’
‘Veton Qoku is a real business partner with an excellent insight supporting our objectives.’
‘The Karanovic & Partners team are highly devoted to the assigned projects. During the projects on which we had the chance to collaborate, we were able to communicate with the team at all times, receive the guidance we needed and answers we asked. All employees are up to date with the current situation in the country and abroad, are investing in their knowledge and are able to respond to more specific and niche issues.’
‘Strong expertise, reliability and exceptional responsiveness.’
‘I had the opportunity to work with Veton Qoku, Ljupka Noveska Andonova and Bozidar Milosevic. All of them are exceptional at their work, providing the required service even in these difficult times during the pandemic. What makes them stand out is their availability, readiness to discuss any open issues and assist us in finding the best possible solution.’
‘Ana Kashirska and Veton Qoku were the lawyers I communicated with. For both of them I can share that customer focus and drive for results are key priorities. They always provide a good and sustainable solution, and reacted always on time to our multiple requests.’
Key clients
Aricoma Group (part of KKCG Group)
Halkbank Skopje
Giesecke+Devrient
Ericsson
Lear Corporation
International Finance Corporation USA
Teva/Pliva DOOEL Skopje
Nouvelles Générations d’Entrepreneurs
Kaltun Madencilik A.Ş.
SITA B.V.
Work highlights
- Advised Aricoma Group with respect to their planned acquisition of Seavus Group, a regional IT company, as well as acquiring financing for support of the deal.
- Assisted Halkbank AD Skopje (and a consortium bank) in the provision of a €126m syndicated loan facility to Limak Holding for the construction and development of the Diamond of Skopje Project.
- Advised Giesecke+Devrient on the acquisition of a shareholding interest in Netcetera Group.
Papazoski and Mishev Law Firm
Papazoski and Mishev Law Firm works in collaboration with the PwC global network, and regularly collaborates with Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, a member of Eversheds Sutherland, to provide ‘on time and quality advice’ to its clients on a range of mandates, including M&A and corporate restructurings, venture capital investments and public-private partnership (PPP) projects, as well as data protection issues. Ivan Mishev, who focuses on corporate, financial and capital market matters, jointly leads the business law department alongside managing partner Kiril Papazoski, who advises foreign investors on various projects and is noted for his particular expertise in the real estate sector. Jovan Vrtov is another key member of the team and focuses on contractual law matters.
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Testimonials
‘A great team who demonstrate efficient and prudent cooperation. They take a case approach in finding the solution, with an infinite mindset.’
‘One of the people who stands out in the the team is Kiril Papazovski. He is always available to share his knowledge and give you advice with reference to any legal matter. The professionalism is very high not just with him but the rest of the team as well.’
‘What makes the practice unique is their expertise on the subjects we need, their availability at any moment to meet our requirements, as well as on time and quality advice.’
‘They have a high level of professionalism, maximum dedication and a high level of service delivery.’
‘What is worth mentioning with reference to working with Papazovski and Mishev Law Firm is their out of the box thinking in providing solutions that fit the business needs of their client. The knowledge and experience they have is one of their bigger strengths. The ability to listen and understand the issues and put themselves in the client shoes is quite unique.’
Key clients
Verint
Oriflame
SC Ventures
Oracle
TAV Construction
M Cash
Gameblify
DM Drogerie Markt
Digital Finance
Telamon Corporation
Allocate Software Plc
Credissimo
Drivosity
Innofruit
Hotel Marriot Skopje
Socotab DOOEL Bitola
Slice
Diners
PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit Macedonia
Genesis Resources
COGNISM LIMITED
Chemonics
LifeWatch
Coficab
Flex Credit
Eurolab
Vaillant
Macedonian Stock Exchange
Angel Investment Network
Sasa Mine, Makedonska Kamenica Municipality, North Macedonia
UNIQA Insurance
Evroins Insurance
Gemak
Generali Investment
Government of the Republic of North Macedonia
Makpetrol
Work highlights
- Provided legal support to Generali Investments in the process of implementation of M&A procedure for the full acquisition of Ilirika Fund Management AD Skopje.
- Advised Maliqi Group in the process of establishment of an efficient and effective family-owned corporate structure.
- Acted for Rudnik SASA Makedonska Kamenica in a project for the transformation of the SASA Mine current established payroll system.
CMS
The team at CMS leverages the firm’s global network to act for multinational clients across the banking, energy, automotive, IT, healthcare and life sciences sectors on a range of regulatory, commercial and transactional mandates, from mergers and capital markets matters to employment, competition and antitrust issues. Based in the Skopje office, Marija Filipovska has experience in project financing, corporate matters, as well as the privatisation of banks, while Radivoje Petrikić is based in the firm’s Belgrade office and specialises in M&A transactions and development projects throughout the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region.
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Georgi Dimitrov Attorneys
Georgi Dimitrov Attorneys is noted for its expertise in litigation matters and M&A transactions. The ‘great team of legal experts’ advises both domestic and international clients across the mining and commodities, construction, IT and commercial banking sectors. Managing partner Georgi Dimitrov, who is praised as ‘one of the most experienced lawyers in the market’, acts for clients in corporate and commercial disputes, while Katarina Ginoska has expertise in mining and construction disputes, and arbitrations. Jane Ilijeski focuses on M&A transactions and senior associate Marija Jankuloska is a key contact for mining and energy matters.
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Testimonials
‘Georgi Dimitrov has in-depth knowledge of legal matters, but also an understanding of economic connotations of the market which is an excellent guarantee for the success when it comes to international M&A.’
‘Georgi Dimitrov, the team leader, is one of the most experienced lawyers on the market. He has established a great team of legal experts and enthusiasts. All of the team members are fluent in English and have strong international ties.’
Key clients
Silk Road Capital
Intrakat
Mermeren Kombinat Prilep
Microsoft
Makedonski Telekom, Deutsche Telecom
SOL Group
Orion Resource Partners
Traxys Capital Partners
Atalaya Mining
Stopanska Banka Skopje
Work highlights
- Representing Intracom Constructions Societe Anonyme Technical and Steel Co. in a court dispute against Beton Shtip SPLLC, regarding alleged debt collection of approximately €3m.
- Representing Mermeren Kombinat JSC Prilep before the Administrative Court of Republic of North Macedonia in a dispute against the Public revenue Office concerning alleged tax debt, with a value of approximately €2m.
- Engaged by Alma Media Corporation to provide services in a process for acquisition of major employment intermediary and HR leasing agency, with a value exceeding €1m.
Law Office Pepeljugoski
Praised as one of the ‘leading experts in intellectual property’, Law Office Pepeljugoski acts for global technology companies on matters pertaining to data protection, cyber security, telecoms and IT issues. The firm also counts litigation work and construction arbitrations in its caseload, as well as competition mandates. Managing partner Valentin Pepeljugoski leads the firm alongside Aleksandar Trajkovski, who is noted for his expertise in the telecoms sector, and IP specialist Ana Pepeljugoska Kostovska, all of whom are commended for their ‘knowledge, great collaboration culture and experience’.
Practice head(s):
Valentin Pepeljugoski; Aleksandar Trajkovski; Ana Pepeljugoska Kostovska
Testimonials
‘Exceptional team members and leadership, very professional and well mannered. Provision of outstanding quality services and legal advice, great communication with clients, ability to quickly understand the complex issues and provide practical solutions.’
‘From Law Office Pepeljugoski, we will emphasise the partner Ana Pepeljugoska Kostovska, whose excellent and highly professional attitude makes her exceptional. We believe that her experience is essential for the needs of our company. Her case management skills are perceived in the collaborative process of assessment, planning, evaluation, and advocacy for services to meet our needs.’
‘Pepeljugoski Law Office has an excellent team of highly motivated professionals. They are leading experts in intellectual property, but also provide advice in other areas of law, such as commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, contracts etc. They have lawyers who speak and write English fluently, which enables them to easily work with international clients.’
‘Ana Pepeljugoska Kostovska is a lawyer from the new generation, with modern approach, offering agile solutions. At the same time, she is professional in all aspects, she responds promptly and in many cases beyond expectations. Valentin Pepeljugoski is an expert in many areas, but especially in competition law and Ana is rising star in this area.’
‘Тhe team is extremely professional and expeditious. Our needs were аlways met, and the job always done without additional obstacles.’
‘We are mainly working with Ms. Ana Pepeljugoska Kostovska and we are extremely pleased with her commitment to all the work tasks.’
‘Very professional, effective and competent.’
‘I would like to point out Valentin Pepeljugoski, Ana Pepeljugoska Kostovska and Aleksandar Trajkovski as individuals with great knowledge, great collaboration culture and experience.’
Work highlights
- Representing a North Macedonian subsidiary of a foreign construction company in a court procedure against a State Enterprise, in an arbitration procedure at the International Chamber of Commerce for compensation of damages.
- Acting for a foreign construction company in all aspects of a deal including sale procedure of real estate.
- Advising a commercial bank and preparing agreements for moveable and unmovable pledge.
Mens Legis Law Firm
Mens Legis Law Firm acts for leading regional companies, multinational corporations and financial institutions on a range of mandates, from corporate governance and pre-acquisition due diligence projects to labour and employment matters. ‘Meticulous’ senior partner Filip Ruben advises clients on corporate transactions and restructurings, particularly across the telecoms sector, while founder and managing partner Ljubica Ruben is noted for her experience in foreign direct investments. The ‘client-oriented’ team also frequently collaborates with international firms on cross-border matters.
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Testimonials
‘Team spirit, customer care and awareness of law issues.’
‘Filip Ruben is meticulous and always available.’
‘The team are very client-orientated, very helpful and go above and beyond. They explain the case at each stage, offer helpful suggestions and think outside the box. They are professional and efficient.’
‘Reliable and eager to respond to novel questions.’
‘They know that service and simplicity combined with a personal approach to customers generates more business that ultimately benefits their customers. They know what the customer needs and when the customer needs it, they deliver what has been agreed.’
Key clients
SP Group LLC
Logarex Smart Metering s.r.o.
CEED
Vrabotuvanje.com
Medcargo International Forwarding & Logistics Dooel Skopje
SIOL DOOEL Skopje
Work highlights
- Advising an international client in regard to growing medical cannabis in North Macedonia; including advice on industry requirements, licensing, project financing and implementation, corporate governance and registering pledges.
- Advising an investor company for manufacturing automobile components with facilities in North Macedonia, on finance, taxation, corporate, employment matters, IP and misdemeanour procedures.
- Advised an international company providing services in the education sector on the feasibility for founding the first private university in North Macedonia for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
Popovski & Partners Law Firm
Popovski & Partners Law Firm advises clients across the energy, infrastructure, mining and telecoms sectors on a range of transactional and contentious matters, including project financing, competition and antitrust issues, PPP work and concessions, as well as IP disputes. Founding partners Tatjana Popovski Buloski, who is ‘strategy-oriented’ and has considerable experience in white-collar criminal proceedings, Ognen Martinov and Jana Dukovska Despotovska, who focuses on IP matters, are key contacts.
Practice head(s):
Tatjana Popovski Buloski; Jana Dukovska Despotovska; Ognen Martinov
Testimonials
‘Tatjana Popovski Buloski is always reachable and reacts quickly to each challenge. She is very precise, strategy-oriented, and what I respect the most is that she always gives clear steps that we should follow. Often, we need advice on matters within 24 hours and this task is reachable for her and her team. This is priceless to us.’
‘Popovski and Partners Law Firm provides various services to the clients, from the corporate and court proceedings of any kind, to energy, environmental and labour law.’
‘Popovski and Partners Law Firm has a team that is unique, extremely organised, punctual, professional and provides 360 degrees opinions and advice.’
‘Tatjana Popovski Buloski is the leading partner and she is responsible for overseeing the firm, which is very professional and provides an excellent legal service to clients.’