There is a distinctly international flavour to the client list of Dentons' banking and finance team, whose comprehensive offering includes strength in the burgeoning green and sustainable finance space. Other forms of real estate financing, project finance, and advice to foreign banks establishing Romanian operations, are additional areas of expertise. The department is led by Simona Marin, who has been advising banks and financial institutions in cross-border credit transactions in Central and South Eastern Europe for 20 years. English qualified lawyer Simon Dayes is an additional senior contact, while Maria Tomescu is a key name for acquisition finance, who has acted in a number of recent renewable energy financings. Stefi Ionescu was promoted to counsel in April 2025 and receives client recognition as ‘a powerhouse in the financing space'.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Simona Marin brings strategic depth and exceptional leadership to financing transactions. Her ability to structure complex deals, anticipate legal and commercial risks, and provide clear, solution-oriented, pragmatic advice has been invaluable. She demonstrates understanding of market practices and both lender and borrower expectations. Simona’s involvement ensures that transactions are not only legally sound but also commercially viable. Her calm and authoritative presence in negotiations fosters confidence and facilitates consensus among stakeholders.'
- ‘Across all financing projects, the Dentons team has shown a remarkable ability to manage complexity, adapt to evolving circumstances, and maintain a high standard of legal service. Where complications have arisen, they were addressed promptly and seriously, with a clear focus on protecting the interests of all involved parties and maintaining momentum. The results achieved have been consistently excellent, reflecting the team's deep expertise and collaborative spirit.’
- ‘Ștefi Ionescu is a powerhouse in the financing space, known for her precision, creativity, and ability to navigate complex structures with ease.'
- ‘What makes Dentons' practice unique is the way they combine deep expertise with a forward-thinking, client-centric approach. They don’t just deliver services—they build lasting partnerships grounded in trust, transparency, and measurable results. Their professionals bring diverse backgrounds and specialised knowledge, allowing Dentons to tackle complex challenges from multiple angles.’
- 'Across the team, I have valued their reliability, and commitment to building strong working relationships based on trust.’
- ‘Dentons' lawyers differentiate themselves by being not only highly skilled professionals but also true business partners, always anticipating potential issues and proactively identifying solutions. In particular, Simona Marin is notable for strategic thinking and the ability to simplify complex matters for decision-makers.'
Key clients
- Alpha Bank Romania S.A. (Greece)
- Banca Transilvania S.A.
- Cordiant Capital Inc.
- Erste Group
- Kommunalkredit Austria AG
- Nepi Rockcastle PLC
- Piraeus Bank S.A. (Greece)
- PPC Group (through its Romanian subsidiaries)
- Raiffeisen Bank International AG
- Societatea Energetică Electrica S.A.
- UniCredit Bank S.A.
Work highlights
Advised Alpha Bank S.A. Greece and its local subsidiary in Luxembourg and Alpha Bank Romania S.A. on four real estate, retail, development and acquisition finance transactions in Romania, with an aggregate value of almost €175m, made available to several companies which are part of M Core.
Advised NEPI Rockcastle N.V. and its subsidiary NE Property B.V. on the renewal of two major revolving sustainability-linked credit facilities totalling €290m.
Advised Societatea Energetică Electrica S.A. and its subsidiaries Electrica Furnizare S.A. and Distribuție Energie Electrică România S.A. on a RON 3.1bn syndicated loan agreement intended to refinance part of their existing bank exposure and support capital investments in the renewable energy production segment.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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
Simona Marin
Other key lawyers
Simon Dayes; Maria Tomescu; Stefi Ionescu; Catalina Raca