What are the most significant cases, projects and/or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

Cătălina-Daniela Ionescu serves as the Head of legal at Premier Energy Romania, part of the Premier Energy Group. With over 12 years of legal expertise in corporate law, M&A, energy law, and strategic business transactions, she has been instrumental in the company’s rise as a key player in Southeastern Europe’s energy sector. Premier Energy Group boasts over 1,000 MW of renewable electricity generation capacity across Romania and Moldova, alongside one of the fastest-growing electricity and gas supply businesses in the region.

Her expertise extends to advising on and overseeing transactions in numerous jurisdictions, including a €170 m. acquisition in Moldova’s electricity sector and the acquisition of Romania’s third-largest natural gas distributor.

More recently, Ionescu has been involved in some of the largest energy sector transactions, playing an important role in the 2025 acquisition of CEZ Vânzare, the largest energy transaction in Romania, which added 1.4 m. customers to Premier Energy’s portfolio and strengthened its position on the energy market.

Ionescu was also integral to Premier Energy’s successful initial public offering (IPO) on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), ensuring regulatory compliance and navigating complex legal frameworks, thus marking a milestone in Romania’s energy market.

In 2025, she was involved in signing the acquisition of a 158 MW wind project in Hungary.

With 18 years of experience in high-profile legal roles, Ionescu coordinates corporate and commercial legal matters across multiple jurisdictions, covering due diligence, M&A agreements, competition law compliance, and regulatory investigations. Her portfolio also includes labor law, intellectual property rights, and the structuring of complex financing arrangements, as well as intra-group loans and corporate guarantees.

Under her guidance, Premier Energy has not only achieved critical operational milestones but also aligned its strategy with rigorous legal and ethical standards.

Ionescu qualifications include an LL.B. in Romanian Law from the University of Bucharest and specialised training from the National Institute for the Training and Development of Lawyers. She is a qualified attorney, a member of the Bucharest Bar Association, and fluent in Romanian, English, and French, with proficiency in Spanish.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

My approach centers on maintaining clarity, focus, and proactive risk management. The first step is to evaluate the immediate legal risks and identify the areas most exposed — such as contractual obligations, regulatory compliance, or stakeholder commitments. I make sure that decision-makers have timely, practical legal guidance so they can act swiftly while staying within a sound legal framework.

I also place strong emphasis on clear communication and collaboration, working closely with management, finance, and operations to ensure that legal actions support the organisation’s overall crisis strategy. When necessary, I implement contingency measures, such as renegotiating contracts, reviewing force majeure clauses, or strengthening governance and documentation practices.

Ultimately, I believe true resilience comes from being prepared and adaptable. That includes conducting post-crisis reviews, integrating lessons learned into internal policies, and maintaining solid relationships with regulators and partners. This way, the organisation can not only withstand the crisis but also emerge stronger and more resilient.