Poland’s banking and finance sector has seen a steady rhythm over the past year, marked by continued demand for refinancing, acquisition financing, and cross-border transactions. Greenberg Traurig Partner Andrzej Wysokinski observes that while the legislative landscape remains stable, shifting interest rates and global volatility are shaping expectations for the months ahead. 

Heightened institutional scrutiny and evolving enforcement have kept Popescu & Asociatii's white-collar practice exceptionally busy, with EU-fund mandates, tax-evasion probes, and cybercrime cases leading the charge, according to Partner Adrian Chirvase.

JPM & Partners’ energy practice has been busy with projects ranging from drafting Network Codes for transmission system operators, expanding Serbia's gas storage, advising on certification for and obtaining different energy licenses, and the developments of several renewable energy projects, their regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation, according to Senior Partner Jelena Gazivoda, with the current breadth and complexity of energy-related mandates stemming from a pronounced investment cycle in the energy sector of Serbia.

The intersection of law and emerging technologies has kept the TMT team at MGG Law Office exceptionally busy, with a sharp focus on AI, machine learning, and their commercial applications. Partner Dino Gliha says the practice has been driven by both the rapid pace of innovation and a fluid regulatory landscape that’s forcing businesses to proactively rethink compliance, governance, and strategic planning.

Redcliffe Partners’ competition practice is driven by increased enforcement and transactional activities, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, retail, and agribusiness, according to Co-Head of Competition Yuriy Terentyev. Key factors include regulatory changes, strategic investments, and Ukraine's alignment with EU competition law, which have spurred demand for merger control assessments and compliance advice.

According to Jalsovszky Partner Tamas Feher, white-collar crime and commercial litigation have been the key growth areas for the firm's Dispute Resolution Practice over the past year, driven by shifts in tax authority behavior, legislative changes, and a more cautious business climate.

Bulgaria’s energy sector has seen a wave of activity over the past year, spanning offshore oil and gas exploration, large-scale renewables, and battery storage projects, keeping CMS Sofia’s Energy, Projects, and Construction team at full speed, according to Partner Kostadin Sirleshtov. Backed by strong investor interest and a more stable regulatory environment, the sector’s upward trend looks set to continue into 2025.

Consumer-focused litigation, especially relating to Swiss loan credit contracts, has driven significant growth in dispute resolution practices in Slovenia since 2022, according to Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic Partner Minu Anamaria Gvardjancic. With the courts adopting a very proactive stance and wide interpretation of the impact of EU case law increasingly asserting consumers’ rights, disputes are expected to continue expanding in the coming months.

Ukraine's infrastructure sector is experiencing heightened activity driven by urgent reconstruction needs and modernization efforts following the impact of the war with Kinstellar Partner Oleg Matiusha expressing cautious optimism over the significant opportunities awaiting investors as recovery efforts accelerate.

Addleshaw Goddard’s infrastructure and energy practice has been active across Central and Eastern Europe, with projects spanning battery storage, energy investments and motorways in Poland, disputes in Romania, and offshore wind development in Lithuania, according to Partner Marton Eorsi who highlights the growing necessity of private sector involvement in CEE, particularly in transport, energy transition, and urban mobility.

Greece’s renewable energy sector has been experiencing a surge in activity, according to Junior Partner Prokopis Linardos. Prokopis discusses the rise of corporate PPAs, the impact of streamlined licensing processes, and the growing focus on energy storage and offshore wind projects while reflecting on the country’s ambitious decarbonization targets and what the future holds for the sector.

Komnenic & Partners' real estate practice has been navigating complex challenges, including zoning issues and frequent changes of the government and responsible bodies, while managing several high-profile projects, according to Managing Partner Milos Komnenic, who discusses the ongoing developments in the hospitality and retail sectors, the impact of regulatory uncertainty on investment, and the outlook for Montenegro's real estate market over the next year.

Rowan Legal’s TMT practice has been concentrating on AI, cybersecurity, and emerging regulations such as PSD3 and FIDA over the past year, according to Partner Josef Donat, driven by rapid technological advancements and their impact on the regulatory landscape.

In the Czech Republic, labor law advice has become highly sought after, primarily due to recent legislative amendments and the implementation of whistleblowing and other EU regulations, according to Peterka & Partners Partner and Director for the Czech Republic Adela Krbcova, with the surge in interest driven by the need for transparent and predictable working conditions and work-life balance.

The Real Estate Practice has been pivotal for AKL Law Firm, according to Managing Partner Helen Alexiou, with tourism, as a cornerstone for the economy, fueling an influx of international investors.

The International Arbitration and Cross-Border Litigation practice has taken center stage for Asters in Ukraine according to Co-Managing Partner Oleksiy Didkovskiy, with work driven by the war and the pandemic and a focus on state and quasi-state clients.

The Energy & Climate Change practice of CMS has been booming in Bulgaria, according to Sofia Managing Partner and CEE Head of Energy & Climate Change Kostadin Sirleshtov, with work ranging from project, acquisitions, and financing mandates on renewables, to oil and gas, nuclear power, and a significant number of disputes.

Jalsovszky's Dispute Resolution practice in Hungary is going from strength to strength according to Partner Tamas Feher, who points to long cases, significant wins, fiscal changes, budgetary pressures, and the economy's slowdown as the ultimate reasons behind their litigators staying busy.