Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers is highly regarded for its work on complex cross-border corporate, banking, and infrastructure transactions in Montenegro. The practice is led by Marko Ćulafić, who oversees the firms’ Montenegrin office and advises on M&A, corporate restructurings, and governance matters. He works closely with Milan Lazić , who heads the firm’s regional dispute resolution practice, and Darko Jovanović , recognised for his expertise in banking, finance, and PPP projects. Filip Vuković provides key support on regulatory and commercial mandates. The group is particularly active in energy, renewables, and large-scale project finance, drawing on the firm’s regional network.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team is composed of seasoned professionals with extensive experience across various areas of law, including corporate governance, regulatory affairs, dispute resolution etc. This breadth of knowledge allows us to provide holistic, strategic advice tailored to the specific needs of each client.’
- ‘The individuals I work with stand out for their exceptional professionalism, deep subject-matter expertise, and unwavering commitment to delivering value to clients. They are not only experts in their respective fields, but also trusted advisors who understand the broader business and regulatory context in which our clients operate.
- ‘Karanovic & Partners stands out as a premier legal practice in Southeast Europe, with its Montenegro branch exemplifying the firm’s qualities of professionalism, strategic insight, and client-centric service.'
- 'What makes this practice truly unique is its seamless integration of regional expertise with deep local knowledge, enabling it to deliver tailored legal solutions that reflect both the nuances of Montenegrin law and the broader commercial landscape. Competition law advises were of the most importance for our operations there.’
- ‘Bojan Vuckovic is widely recognized for his deep expertise in competition law, His approach is marked by a strategic understanding of antitrust frameworks, merger control, and market regulation, making him a trusted advisor for us as his client navigating sensitive competition matters. Bojan’s ability to interpret and apply competition rules in a business-oriented manner sets him apart.'
Key clients
- CKB Bank (Crnogorska komercijalna banka a.d. Podgorica), member of OTP Group
- Philip Morris Montenegro doo Podgorica
- Port of Bar
- Ericsson
- Inditex Group
- HPS Investment Partners (UK) LLP
- Krnovo Green Energy, Akuo Energy Central Europe and Masdar Energy BV
- KFW IPEX-BANK GMBH
Work highlights
Advised Krnovo Green Energy doo Nikšić, as the borrower, and sponsor Akuo Energy Central Europe on refinancing Montenegro’s first large-scale wind farm, involving senior and mezzanine facilities provided by KFW IPEX-Bank GmbH, EBRD, and Proparco.
Advised Crnogorska komercijalna banka, part of OTP Group, on project financing for the Kotor–Lovćen cable car, Montenegro’s first cable car infrastructure project.
Advised Inditex Group on corporate, regulatory, leasing, and real estate matters across Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Milan Lazic; Marko Ćulafić
Other key lawyers
Bojan Vuckovic