In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we dug deeper into a discussion point that came up during our last event: During our annual General Counsel Summit held in Prague recently, we’ve learned that even with the inflation in CEE having hovered around 14-20% in recent years, legal fees have remained static or have even decreased in some jurisdictions. Given that, how has your firm managed to consistently deliver high-quality service under these constraints?

An increasing number of law firms have been publicly warning about the misuse of their names in phishing and cyberattacks. PRK Partners Partner Michal Matejka, Musat & Asociatii Partner Stefan Diaconescu, Gugushev & Partners Partner and Head of Data Protection Yoanna Ivanova, and DLA Piper Hungary Partner and Head of Intellectual Property and Technology Zoltan Kozma discuss the growing trend.

In Austria, workforce restructuring is often necessary for companies facing economic challenges or needing to reorganize. However, the process is heavily regulated, and employers must ensure compliance with legal requirements to avoid complications and potential legal risks. This article outlines the key steps and legal obligations employers must follow when carrying out workforce reductions in Austria, with a particular focus on the importance of detailed planning, timing, and legal compliance.

SSW has advised Eika Asset Management on securing financing from Santander Bank Polska for the development of a logistics facility in Sochaczew, Poland. DLA Piper reportedly advised Santander Bank Polska.

The Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic recently presented a draft of a new legislation governing the Slovak Commercial Register, amending the Slovak Commercial Code and other acts (New Legislation).

Diverse trends, selective focuses and energy-efficient solutions will define the real estate market in 2025, according to DLA Piper Hungary's annual real estate intelligence report. Here is a summary of some of the key trends featured in the Hungarian Real Estate Intelligence Report. 

Countries in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region have set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy sources. However, in many cases, there remains a significant gap between planned objectives and the actual installed energy generation capacities. Support schemes implemented in various countries—such as CAPEX subsidies—are increasingly making the sector attractive to investors, which in turn stimulates mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. The growing reliance on weather-dependent renewable electricity generation is also driving substantial investment demand in energy storage. Additionally, the region is seeing a rise in R+D projects focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and alternative fuels, while the Li-ion battery recycling market is expected to experience explosive growth.

Rymarz Zdort Maruta has advised GIA Investments on the sale of five entities, including Polska Grupa Brokerska, International Brokers Group, BD Advisory and Assistance, GSU Centrum Uslug Wspolnych, and GSU Polisa, to MJM Holdings. DLA Piper and Slaughter and May advised MHM Holdings.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Schoenherr has advised the shareholder of MyBestPharm on the sale to Laboratoires Urgo Healthcare. DLA Piper reportedly advised the buyers.

Wolf Theiss, working with Gorrissen Federspiel, has advised Vestas on its acquisition of LM Wind Power Blades. DLA Piper and Plesner reportedly advised LM Wind Power.

Madirazza & Partners has advised Abris Capital-backed Dental Holding on its acquisition of Sanitaria Dental and SCL Logistika in Croatia, and Sanitaria in Hungary. DLA Piper reportedly advised Dental Holding as well.

In a significant turn in Austrian jurisprudence, the Austrian Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision on February 19, 2025 (file number 7 Ob 169/24i) (2024 Ruling), revising its long-standing position on loan processing fees previously upheld since its judgement in 2016 (Austrian Supreme Court 30.03.2016, 6 Ob 13/16d).

Kinstellar has advised MVM on the sale of its entire stake in telecommunications subsidiary MVM NET to Pro-M. DLA Piper advised Pro-M.

DLA Piper has promoted Andras Orban to Counsel and Head of Equity Capital Markets and Viktor Romsics to Counsel and Head of Infrastructure, Construction, and Transport.

DLA Piper has advised UBM Development on the issuance of its first deeply subordinated green hybrid bond, raising EUR 65 million under UBM’s Green Finance Framework. Wolf Theiss advised Raiffeisen Bank International as sole structuring adviser, bookrunner, paying agent, and dealer manager for the buy-back offer.

Schoenherr has advised Enterprise Investors on the acquisition of a 100% stake in Centrum Medyczne Internus. DLA Piper reportedly advised the sellers.