The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Slovakia > Banking, finance and capital markets

Dentons is equally strong acting for borrowers and lenders in complex banking and finance, regulatory and capital markets mandates. Its team includes Stanislava Valientová, who has 15 years of experience in this space. Marcell Clark is active in major real estate finance transactions and restructurings in central and eastern Europe (CEE), as well as southeast Europe. Peter Kubina handles a mix of domestic and cross-border financing transactions, and he is also active in debt capital markets matters. Counsel Patricia Gossányiová and senior associate Petra Štrbová are also key figures.

Kinstellar utilises its regional network to advise on finance transactions and regulatory matters for domestic and international clients. Its team is 'an experienced, reliable service provider with a dynamic business approach'. It generates mandates from banks, sponsors and borrowers in relation to matters such as syndicated lending, as well as acquisition, real estate, structured, infrastructure and project finance. Key contacts include managing associate Vladimír Polička, who is the head of the practice, and Tomáš Melišek.

White & Case s.r.o. has a standout reputation undertaking banking, finance and capital markets mandates for leading global, regional and domestic financial institutions and corporates. Leveraging the firm's global reach, the team is seen by many clients as a first port of call on cross-border transactions. Key figures in the team include capital markets head Juraj Fuska and Marek Staroň, who leads the banking and finance group. Staroň is notably strong in real estate finance. Associate Simona Rapavá is also recommended.

Čechová & Partners is regularly instructed by domestic and international banks and other financial services clients, such as foreign investors, facility arrangers, collective investment companies and insurance companies. It handles an array of transactional matters and is also active in financial restructurings and reorganisations. Department head Simona Halakova is recommended for her regulatory expertise.

CMS' Bratislava-based banking and finance department regularly works in tandem with practitioners in the Prague and Vienna offices to handle complex, cross-border mandates for a wide variety of leading regional banks, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors. The team is praised for its 'excellent know-how and negotiation skills in restructuring and workout cases'. Managing partner Peter Šimo and Michal Huťan are key figures.

At BBH advokátska kancelária, s.r.o., bond issue specialist Miroslav Fašung  and real estate finance expert Matej Blahút (who was promoted to partner in 2019) jointly lead the team. Leading regional banks, funds and international financial institutions benefit from the team's strong presence across the Bratislava and Prague offices and regularly turn to the 'very capable' team for advice on complex financing and transactional mandates. The automotive sector is also a key focus.

CERHA HEMPEL Šiška & Partners s. r. o.'s managing partner Karol Šiška is a key figure for banking and finance work.

RELEVANS Law Firm's 'high-quality' team demonstrates 'great know-how' in all aspects of finance transactions, regulatory matters and securities work. The team acts for banks and other financial institutions operating in Slovakia, as well as leading investment groups. The real estate, IT and telecoms sectors are a key focus of the team, which is led by Marián Masarik.

Squire Patton Boggs s.r.o.'s team advises clients on a standalone basis, and is also able to call upon the experience of practitioners across the firm's international network of offices to assist with a wide range of complex cross-border mandates. It is strong in areas such as fintech and other regulatory matters, and also has notable factoring expertise. On the transactional side, the group is knowledgeable about real estate finance, and bilateral and club lending, among other areas. The practice is led by Silvia Belovicova, who is 'great to work with', and has significant fintech and regtech expertise.

Taylor Wessing Slovakia is highly regarded by mid-sized Austrian banks and Austrian leasing companies active in the CEE region. Compliance and consumer protection issues are a key strength, as is the team's specialist experience of cross-border project finance and real estate finance transactions. Silvia Hlavačková is the team head.

Wolf Theiss is regularly engaged by international banks on their transactions in Slovakia, In addition, the firm is often engaged in complex, cross-border matters where cross-office support is required. Regulatory advice is another key workstream of the practice. Since publication, Katarína Bieliková has left the firm.

bnt attorneys in CEE's broad regional presence makes it a strong choice for cross-border banking and finance mandates. Real estate finance is a key strength of the team, which is led by Margareta Sovova, and is regularly instructed by Slovak, German and English-speaking clients.

bpv Braun Partners s.r.o., o.z.'s transactional strengths are evidenced in areas such as asset finance, project finance and lease transactions. Regulatory advice is also a cornerstone of the practice. The group regularly works with members of the Prague office on cross-border mandates. Prague-based David Vosol and Bratislava-based Igor Augustinič head the team.

Deloitte Legal s. r. o. is regularly engaged on regulatory matters for major local and international financial institutions. The team works closely with colleagues to also provide tax advice and to advise on cross-border transactions. Dagmar Yoder is recommended.

Leveraging the firm's vast international footprint, the Bratislava office of DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach Rechtsanwälte GmbH, o.z. is often utilised to effectively resource complex multijurisdictional financing and refinancing transactions. Michaela Stessl is the head of the group.

Eversheds Sutherland, advokátní kancelář, s.r.o. was formed when Dvořák Hager & Partners joined the Eversheds Sutherland network in December 2019. The development has put the Bratislava-based team on a stronger footing to advise domestic and international clients on cross-border transactions. Acquisition finance, club and syndicated financing, export finance and real estate finance are key areas of expertise. Regulatory matters are another key workstream for the group, which is led by Bernhard Hager.

With a strong German-speaking client base, Noerr regularly acts for domestic and international credit institutions, financial institutions, investment funds, leasing companies and corporate clients on financing transactions. Tomáš Záborský is the head of the banking and finance practice.

Paul Q Law Firm's varied portfolio of work includes real estate finance, acquisition finance and project finance transactions. Regulatory work is also a notable strength of the team. Jiří Budinský and Eduard Winkler are recommended.

SOUKENÍK – ŠTRPKA, s. r. o.'s sizeable banking and finance practice has recently advised clients on several high-value loan transactions, as well as loan restructuring mandates. Igor Vranka, Milan Gocník and Marek Benko are recommended.