Kinstellar > Bratislava, Slovakia > Firm Profile

Kinstellar
HVIEZDOSLAVOVO NÁMESTIE 13
FIRST FLOOR
811 02 BRATISLAVA
Slovakia

Slovakia > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Kinstellar specialises in advisory work and complex transactions involving multiple jurisdictions. Specialisms for the firm include acquisition finance, leveraged and non-leveraged, debt and equity capital markets, real estate finance, restructuring, asset finance and financial markets regulation, across a range of sectors. Practice head Tomáš Melišek has ‘very good understanding of banking M&A and delivers many pragmatic solutions based on the client’s needs’. Also active in the area is managing associate Dominika Bajzáthová.

Practice head(s):

Tomáš Melišek

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very experienced professionals with client-focused approach and understanding of practical commercial needs of the client.’

‘Tomas Melisek – he has a thorough understanding of our commercial needs combined with creativity and excellent legal knowledge. Dominika Bajzathova – experienced, professional, hard-working and very flexible in terms of timing.’

‘Besides the precise work and high quality standards, the team also delivers proactive and flexible solutions, tailored to the client’s needs.’

‘Tamas Melisek has very good understanding of banking M&A and delivers many pragmatic solutions based on the client’s needs.’

‘Necessary knowledge of the projects, quick delivery, helpful in communication with the counterparts.’

‘Tomáš Melíšek – depth of knowledge, communication skills, reliability.’

Key clients

JP Morgan

Slovenská sporiteľňa (ERSTE)

Tatra banka (Raiffeisen)

PayPal

Česká spořiteľna (ERSTE)

Carmeuse Europe

Lucron

INVESTIKA

YIT

Bloomberg

ProLogis

P3

Redside

ENEL

Slovalco

Vinci Concessions

Business Lease

Work highlights

  • Advising Hungary-based regional financial OTP Bank in connection with all aspects of the sale of its 99.44% share in its Slovak operations to the Belgian KBC Group.
  • Advising GLP, a major global investment management firm specialising in logistics, technology investments, real estate, and private equity in connection with acquisition financing provided by a syndicate of banks on acquisition of Goodman’s CEE logistics business in the Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.
  • Advising AIP Asset Management, one of the biggest Korean Fund, and The Valesco Group in relation to financing of their acquisition of Twin City Tower office building in Bratislava.

Slovakia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Besides the precise work and high-quality standards’, Kinstellar delivers ‘proactive and flexible solutions, tailored to the client’s needs’. The firm is active across a range of sectors, including automotive, industrials, aviation, financial institutions, energy and TMT. Its work covers M&A, private equity investments, corporate reorganisations, joint ventures, management buyouts, distressed situations and corporate governance. Viliam Myšička co-heads the team with Adam Hodoň. Another key individual is counsel Tomáš Melišek.

Practice head(s):

Viliam Myšička; Adam Hodoň

Other key lawyers:

Tomáš Melišek; Roman Oleksik

Testimonials

‘Besides the precise work and high quality standards, the team also delivers proactive and flexible solutions, tailored to the client’s needs.’

‘Tamas Melisek has very good understanding of banking M&A and delivered many pragmatic solutions based on client needs.’

‘Excellent team work demonstrated, outstanding experts in various fields and very vast experience. The confidence on any issues we have addressed always proved to be with solid ground.’

‘We have excellent experiences working with partner Roman Oleksik. He has wide experiences in our industry and very solid technical knowledges. Very critical that Roman has excellent understanding of our business and provides best technical (legal) opinions with great consideration of the business (commercial) effect of those. Not often such combination could be found within the professional advisors. Roman has perfect presentation and negotiation skill and this was proved many times during the hard discussion/negotiations.’

Key clients

OTP Bank

E.ON

GTT Communications

GLP

The Capital Markets Company

ProLogis

Golde Lozorno

Slovalco

VSE

ZSE

Sereď Logistics and Industry

Powerful Medical

STADA Arzneimittel

European City Estates

Global Attractions

HPS Holding

Continental Automotive Systems Slovakia

Magna Group

Wood & Co.

Work highlights

  • Advising OTP Bank, Hungary-based regional financial group on all aspects of the sale of its 99.44% share in its Slovak operations to the Belgian KBC Group.
  • Advising E.ON, one of the world’s largest investor-owned electric utility service providers, on its acquisition of a 49% stake (including a managerial control) in electric utility Východoslovenská energetika Holding (“VSE”) from the German electric utilities provider RWE.
  • Advising GTT Communications, Inc. on the sale of its infrastructure business to I Squared Capital. GTT Communications, a leading telecommunications provider, owns and operates a global Tier 1 internet network and provides a comprehensive suite of cloud networking services.

Slovakia > Employment Tier 1

Kinstellar fields ‘highly skilled and very responsive lawyers with great experience of advising international clients’, particularly in relation to the relocation of employees (including TUPE transfers), terminations, drafting of contracts and litigation. The firm also handles tax, compliance and risk management matters connected with labour law. Tax expert Adam Hodoň, who leads the practice, advises Slovak and multinational clients on a range of employment matters. His team includes associate Lívia Miklenčičová.

Practice head(s):

Adam Hodoň

Other key lawyers:

Lívia Miklenčičová; Matúš Kočíšek

Testimonials

‘High level of professional support and expertise. Very flexible approach based on client needs’

‘High flexibility, speed in reaction, understanding of business needs’

‘The team led by partner Adam Hodoň works hard and long hours to deliver in time. Great knowledge and first class communication and availability. Perfect understanding of client’s business needs.’

‘Partner Adam Hodoň is a total professional. He combines strong knowledge with an understanding of client’s needs. He is literally available at any time and to anyone on client’s end. Associates Lívia Miklenčičová and Matúš Kočíšek complement the team and work hard to provide the best advice in a variety of situations.’

‘They are highly skilled and very responsive lawyers with great experience of advising international clients with business-oriented advice and a proactive approach.’

‘Adam Hodoň is the leading individual for the practice. He is very knowledgeable and business oriented. It is a pleasure to work with him.’

Key clients

The Capital Markets Company (CAPCO)

ESET

Premier Research Group

Agel

Process Automation Solutions

Metalogix Software

Magna Powertrain

Private Healthcare Specialist

Powerful Medical

A group of Ukrainian nationals

Astound Commerce

Jacobs Slovakia

Work highlights

  • Advised The Capital Markets Company on all employment & labour law aspects of their operations in Slovakia – hiring, redundancies, localisation of policies, restructuring of labour, cross-border posting of workers and a number of other tasks.
  • Advise Premier Research Group on all employment matters in Slovakia – hiring, dismissals, employment litigation, localisation of policies, special employment regimes for local employees and a number of other tasks.
  • Advising Metalogic Software, a leading provider of IT management software, on all employment matters in Slovakia, including localisation of employment agreements, employment policies, onboarding and terminations of employees.

Slovakia > Projects and energy Tier 1

Kinstellar is seen by clients as a first port of call on renewable energy projects, project financings, energy trading matters, power plant development projects, and Slovak and EU energy regulatory matters. The firm has experience of handling large infrastructure and other projects across Europe and Central Asia, where it advises sponsors, contractors, off-takers, host governments and lenders. The practice combines strengths in M&A, joint ventures, PFI/PPP, regulation, refinancing and dispute resolution. Roman Oleksik focuses on corporate, competition, energy, dispute resolution and CRSI matters. He jointly leads the team with Adam Hodoň.

Practice head(s):

Roman Oleksik; Adam Hodoň

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very experienced in the field and also able to quickly provide support on new topics/ areas.’

‘The reference partner is always available and quick with advice. Fees are very competitive and honest.’

‘The partner we work with the most is Roman Oleksik. He is fast, available and has a problem solver mindset.’

‘Very timely, responsive and solution-oriented.’

‘Very professional.’

‘We worked mainly with Viliam Myšička and Roman Oleksik – both very experienced and always available and ready to help.’

Key clients

E.ON

IS Industry Solutions

Západoslovenská energetika

Continental Automotive Systems Slovakia

Slovalco

MITISKA

REDSIDE

Veolia

MET

Východoslovenská energetika

ENEL

DXT Commodities

Vinci Concessions

Meridiam Infrastructure

Assuta Medical Center

Metrostav

IICG / Faisal Private Bank

Work highlights

  • Advised E.ON, one of the world’s largest investor-owned electric utility service providers, on its acquisition of a 49% stake (including a managerial control) in electric utility Východoslovenská energetika Holding (“VSE”) from the German electric utilities provider RWE.
  • Advised Metrostav on all legal aspects of the client’s participation in the Slovak tender for the PPP for design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of prison facility Rimavska Sobota in Slovakia.

Slovakia > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Kinstellar, which is noted for its specialism in industrial and residential property matters, provides a full-service in the real estate arena, including land acquisitions, planning and development work, construction agreements and lettings. The real estate offering is complemented by the firm's strengths in banking and finance and M&A. Roman Oleksik, who is notably active in the energy and automotive industries, co-heads the practice with Viliam Myšička.

Practice head(s):

Roman Oleksik; Viliam Myšička

Other key lawyers:

Tomáš Melíšek

Testimonials

‘Roman Oleksik is a very diligent lawyer with a commercial mindset, with a very kind personality.’

‘Necessary knowledge of the projects, quick delivery, helpful in communication with the counterparts.’

‘Tomáš Melíšek – depth of knowledge, communication skills, reliability.’

Key clients

AIP Asset Management (AIP) represented by The Valesco Group

European City Estates (ECE)

Wood & Company

Stiga

Crowdberry

Sereď Logistics and Industry (PNK Group)

YIT

Logicor

IICG / Faisal Private Bank

Work highlights

  • Advising AIP Asset Management (AIP), a Seoul-based asset manager, and London real estate investment manager The Valesco Group (Valesco) on the acquisition of the newly-developed landmark Twin City Tower in Bratislava from HB Reavis.
  • Advised GLP, a leading global investment manager in logistics, real estate, infrastructure, finance and related technologies, on an agreement to acquire Goodman Group’s Central and Eastern Europe logistics portfolio.
  • Advised Sereď Logistics and Industry (a member of PNK Group – an international industrial building developer and owner) on the sale of logistics park in Western Slovakia to the purchaser REICO investiční společnosť České spořitelny, a.s. (investment company of Česká spořitelna, ERSTE Group).

Slovakia > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Kinstellar’s broad contentious expertise covers matters connected with the energy, automotive, healthcare, real estate, IT and agriculture sectors, as well as white-collar matters. The firm is well regarded for cross-border cases, with particular experience of commercial disputes, private enforcement of competition law, multijurisdictional shareholder disputes and employment litigation. Another core strength of the practice is arbitration. Roman Oleksik is a name to note.

Practice head(s):

Roman Oleksik

Other key lawyers:

Viliam Myšička

Testimonials

‘Roman’s approach to issues is very pragmatic and he his knowledge of local issues in Slovakia and navigating some complicated issues has been extremely valuable.’

‘Roman Oleksik has quickly become a trusted advisor on issues in Slovakia to both our firm and the client. He is always available and is good about proactively identifying issues and offering solutions.’

‘The team are very approachable and personable, which makes our job so much easier.’

‘They are very personable and always ensure your needs are answered in a simple to understand way.’

Key clients

VASA Slovensko

A multinational commodity trading and mining company

A large group of Ukrainian nationals

Viktorija Dmytruk

iCan

Fresenius Medical Care

Delphi/Aptiv

Premier Research Group

Work highlights

  • Representing VASA Slovensko, a Slovak provider of meal vouchers, who was imposed a fine of 10% of its total turnover for the alleged participation in the market sharing cartel
  • Representing Union Health Insurance company in proceedings in front of the Constitutional Court on the complaint against the decision of the Supreme Court dismissing the claim for recovery of damages caused by cartel agreement of the hospitals
  • Representing large group of foreigners in court proceedings on nullity of employment termination.

The firm: Kinstellar is a leading independent law firm in emerging Europe, Turkey and Central Asia, with offices in Almaty and Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan), Belgrade (Serbia), Bratislava (Slovakia), Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Istanbul (Turkey), Kyiv (Ukraine), Prague (the Czech Republic), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Uzbekistan (Tashkent).

Working together since 1993, Kinstellar’s senior team in Bratislava has advised on some of the most significant deals in Slovakia’s modern history and is one of the longest-established legal teams in the country.

The firm has a proven successful track record when acting on behalf of a diverse range of leading international, regional and local market participants, including multinational companies, banks and multilateral financial institutions, leading domestic companies and state agencies and institutions.

With a mix of internationally and locally qualified lawyers and experts, the firm brings a balanced and considered view to client transactions. Kinstellar’s expertise covers Slovakia’s strategic businesss sectors, including automotive, banking and finance, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, IT, manufacturing and telecommunications.

The Bratislava office is ranked highly by the international legal directories, with particularly strong banking and finance, corporate and M&A and real estate practices and has numerous individual rankings of members of the senior team.

Areas of practice: The firm’s focal areas of practice include banking, finance and capital markets; competition and state aid; compliance, risk and sensitive investigations; dispute resolution; employment and labour law; energy; infrastructure and projects; M&A and corporate; NPLs and distressed assets; real estate, construction and planning; restructuring and insolvency; tax and technology, media and telecommunications.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Banking, finance and capital markets Tomáš Melišek
Competition and state aid Roman Oleksik
Compliance, risk and sensitive investigations Roman Oleksik
Dispute resolution Roman Oleksik
Employment and labour Adam Hodon
Energy Miroslav Németh
Infrastructure and projects Roman Oleksik
M&A and corporate Adam Hodon
Real estate, construction and planning Roman Oleksik
Restructuring and insolvency Viliam Myšicka
Technology, media and telecommunications Viliam Myšicka
Tax Adam Hodon
Competition and state aid Adam Hodon
Number of lawyers : 300+
Czech
English
French
German
Hungarian
Kazakh
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Turkish
Ukrainian
Other offices : Almaty
Other offices : Belgrade
Other offices : Bucharest
Other offices : Budapest
Other offices : Istanbul
Other offices : Kyiv
Other offices : Prague
Other offices : Sofia
Other Offices : Nur-Sultan
Other Offices : Tashkent