Schoenherr si Asociatii SCA‘s ’versatile, present, and extremely involved’ team presents standout proficiency in white-collar crime litigation, compliance, and investigations, frequently acting as both plaintiff and defence counsel before national courts. Notable experience includes advising companies as damaged parties on crimes committed by their employees, and defending businesses against accusations of criminal practices. The practice is jointly coordinated by dispute resolution specialists Sebastian Guțiu and Iustin Armașu, while the ‘highly capable, responsive, and pragmatic’ Magdalena Roibu is the main point of contact, with in-depth knowledge of criminal law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team assembles lawyers with wide-ranging expertise in business criminal law, internal investigations, and compliance. They are top litigators working closely with leading international clients, and their advice on criminal law matters is not a mere “box-ticking” exercise but rather a fully dedicated service on how to best protect the interests and value of a business in such circumstances.’
- ‘I have worked with Magdalena Roibu on several projects and have seen her in action; she approaches each case with elegance, utmost professionalism, dedication to its particularities, and is always result-driven. She is a skilled team coordinator, and her academic expertise adds to her practical experience in solving complex criminal cases. Magdalena is a key asset of the white-collar crime team due to her valuable mix of legal creativity and practical poise, which she uses to win the best for the clients' case.’
- ‘Magdalena Roibu really stood out as a highly capable, responsive, and pragmatic lawyer who managed the high pressure and a lot of volatility in the case in a calm and focused manner. It really impressed me how quickly Magdalena learned about highly specific and advanced topics and then translated the relevant information for her own work streams. Magdalena demonstrated a deep understanding of local law enforcement and built excellent rapport with all relevant stakeholders. Because of that, we managed to obtain information and make progress much faster and more effectively than anticipated. Magdalena was a central pillar to the success of the project, who managed to connect the local legal landscape and local law enforcement with an international client and various stakeholders.’
- ‘My counterpart was Magdalena Roibu. The client was international and a related party in a complex criminal procedure, obviously not familiar at all with Romanian procedures. Her explanation regarding the overall procedure, other parties' positions, actions taken by each party during each hearing, and projections of future progress were sufficient in detail and easy to understand.’
- ‘What sets this team apart is their exceptional combination of expertise, responsiveness, and strategic judgment. They consistently demonstrate a deep understanding of complex regulatory, investigative, and litigation matters while accounting for the commercial and reputational implications for clients. We have particularly valued their ability to anticipate challenges, provide clear and actionable advice, and navigate sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism. Their client-focused approach and meticulous attention to detail make them a trusted partner in high-stakes matters.’
- ‘What truly distinguishes the individuals we have worked with is their legal acumen, strategic insight, and responsiveness. They excel not only in understanding the technical and regulatory aspects of each case, but also in anticipating practical implications and potential risks.’
- ‘Schoenherr has a strong dispute resolution team in Romania. This includes litigation, arbitration, insolvency, and criminal law. There aren't many large business law firms in Romania to have a dedicated white-collar crime unit, and it truly stands out for its commercial acumen.’
- ‘Sebastian Gutiu, Iustin Armasu and Magdalena Roibu are the firm's key names in white-collar crime law matters.’
Work highlights
Advised a financial institution in a white-collar crime case involving 100 parties accused of having committed or been accessories to tax evasion offences.
Advised a multinational company as a damaged party in a criminal case involving aggravated embezzlement, cyber forgery, and money laundering crimes.
Advised a foreign citizen as liquidator of a multinational on criminal charges brought against them by a former business partner of the company's Romanian subsidiary.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Sebastian Guțiu; Iustin Armașu