Nestle South Eastern Europe Head of Legal & Compliance Natalia Lysa discusses her career, the rewards of working closely with business operations, and the challenges of navigating legal complexities during Ukraine’s war.

Vezuv Director of Legal Affairs Filip Knezevic talks about his career and the challenges of navigating the regulator’s relationship with the gambling sector.

In October-November 2024, we interviewed Ukrainian general counsels to understand current trends in engaging local counsels and use of legaltech in their day-to-day activity. Interviews were held to demonstrate to in-house lawyers, international law firms, and investors the most effective tools for selecting local counsel.

With preparations for the 2025 CEE General Counsel Summit in full swing, AMB Legal Partner Davor Majstorovic shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he’s looking forward to the most.

With preparations for the 2025 CEE Legal Matters Regional General Counsel Summit and Deal of the Year awards gala in Prague in full swing, Marton Eorsi, a Corporate Finance Partner at Addleshaw Goddard’s London office, shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he's looking forward to the most.

mBank Deputy General Counsel Pawel Szczepaniak talks about his path to banking and reflects on how his varied background continues to shape his approach to complex legal challenges.

Belupo General Counsel Eva Kovacic reflects on her journey from law firm beginnings to steering legal and compliance in the fast-paced pharmaceutical world.

TAV Macedonia Legal Affairs Manager Emilija Evtimova-Spaseska discusses her journey from law firm partner to in-house counsel and her role in overseeing legal operations for Skopje and Ohrid airports.

In the Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. As summer is a time to unwind, we asked: With summer here, what is your one favorite yearly activity to disconnect and switch off?

As Pfizer’s Legal Director overseeing Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Israel, Stathis Mihos explores EU health policy advancements and the complexities arising from the pandemic and examines how artificial intelligence is dynamically influencing lawyers’ work.

Overseeing diverse sectors across multiple countries, Petrol Group Director of Legal Affairs Mojca Logar discusses the challenges and strategies in managing the group’s legal affairs and navigating complex regulatory landscapes, while emphasizing internal legal expertise and collaborating with external firms for specialized projects and new legislation.

With a focus on keeping as much of the legal work in-house, Net-Connect Group Head of Regulatory Affairs Radu Culic discusses best practices for managing in-house legal budgets.

Photon Energy Group’s Deputy Group Legal Counsel Florina Mariana Homeghiu discusses her approach to managing legal budgets, including trends in costs and effective cost-cutting strategies.

Heureka Group CEE Head of Legal Gergely Szekely provides insights on his in-house legal team’s budget trends and management, considering the challenges inherent in the dynamic e-commerce sector.

Managing budgets in big companies could be seen at the same time as art and as a challenge. And art should never be under pressure.

In recent years, in-house legal teams have faced growing pressure to manage budgets more effectively while maintaining high standards of service. In this article, I will share best practices for managing legal budgets, and address trends, challenges, and strategies that have shaped the budgeting landscape for in-house legal teams.

M&A transactions involve numerous legal, financial, and operational challenges. As in-house counsel, we are responsible for businesses’ right risk allocation and risk mitigation, while we bear significant responsibility in ensuring the deal progresses smoothly and can be closed successfully. Given this high responsibility, effective collaboration with external counsel is crucial to navigating these high-stakes deals and ensuring a smooth and successful transaction. Drawing from my experience, I will share best practices for selecting, collaborating with, and managing external counsel during M&A projects to achieve optimal outcomes and make your life easier in the post-closing and integration stages.

Mondelez International Senior Counsel Competition Law Compliance Kameliya Naydenova emphasizes the importance of communication, trust, and practical expertise when working with external legal counsel.

Working with external counsel can be a crucial aspect of managing legal issues, especially for companies that need specialized expertise or extra support for their in-house legal team. To make the most of these collaborations, it’s important to follow some best practices that ensure efficiency, alignment with business goals, and cost-effectiveness. Here’s my straightforward guide to help work effectively with external legal experts.

Revetas Capital General Counsel Joanna Przybyl reveals her strategies for mastering relationships with external counsel, from choosing the right firms to keeping budgets on track.

From staying loyal to specific lawyers irrespective of the brand they work under to focusing on fixed fees, Selvita General Counsel and Executive Management Board Member Dawid Radziszewski shares his best practices in terms of working with external counsel.

From relying on chemistry to counting on reputation being representative, Zito Director of Legal Affairs and General Services Tamara Mohoric Selak talks about how she picks her external “firefighters” and how she nurtures long-term collaborations with them.

INSS Legal Director Elena Bosnidou shares her tips and tricks on selecting and instructing external counsel.

Bringing in external counsel can flip legal headaches into big wins, protecting your interests and pushing your goals forward. But how do you make sure your partnership with legal experts goes beyond just getting the job done? The magic happens when you master working with external counsel – mixing careful planning with lively communication to reach new heights of legal success.

On November 23, CEE Legal Matters reported that Cobalt had advised BaltCap Latvia Venture Capital Fund and funds managed by Imprimatur Capital, together with other shareholders, on the sale of Blue Bridge Technologies to Everfield. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Henning Schreiber, Head of Acquisitions at Everfield, to learn more about the acquisition.

On February 3, CEE Legal Matters reported that Walless had advised the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant on a project tender for reactor dismantling technology design services. CEE In-House Matters spoke with INPP CEO, Audrius Kamienas to learn more about the matter.

On February 16, CEE Legal Matters reported that Dentons had advised a banking consortium on their EUR 155 million financing for the 103.3-megawatt Krivaca wind farm project co-owned by Serbia’s MK Group and Slovenia’s ALFI Green Energy Fund. The lending consortium consisted of Erste Group Bank, Erste Bank Novi Sad, and other banks. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Ladislav Tolmaci, Executive Director at Erste Bank, to learn more about the financing. 

On March 3, CEE Legal Matters reported that BPV Grigorescu Stefanica has advised Omnia Capital on its acquisition of Dumagas from Bancroft. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Matei Ladea, Chief Evangelist at Omnia, to learn more about the acquisition.

On February 21, CEE Legal Matters reported that Tokushev & Partners and Musseva & Ivanov had helped MFG Ins obtain an insurance license from the Financial Supervision Commission of Bulgaria. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Ivelina Kavurska, Director of Strategic Projects and a member of the Management Board of MFG, to learn more about the matter.

On January 18, CEE Legal Matters reported that Fatur Menard had advised the Svetlik family on the sale of their 42% stake in Hidria owner H&R to Spanish corporation Gonvarri. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Gasper Svetlik, Co-Founder and CEO at Svetlik Family Office, to learn more about the matter.

On January 4, CEE Legal Matters reported that Dorda, working with Loyens & Loeff, had advised Croma-Pharma on entering into a business combination agreement with the European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Andreas Prinz, Managing Director at Croma Pharma, to learn more about the deal.

On November 16, CEE Legal Matters reported that Popescu & Asociatii had successfully represented the interests of the City of Sinaia in a construction dispute. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Vlad Oprea, the Mayor of Sinaia, to learn more about the matter.

On December 8, CEE Legal Matters reported that BDK Advokati had advised MediGroup on its acquisition of Konzilijum. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Mihailo Obucina, Director of Strategy, M&A, and Business Development at MediGroup, to learn more about the acquisition.

On July 4, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov had advised Maple Bear on its EUR 100 million investment program for the CEE region through a partnership with Vantage Capital. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Yann Bidan, General Manager at Maple Bear, to learn more about the matter.

On November 4, CEE Legal Matters reported that Gugushev & Partners had advised Blackpeak Capital on its acquisition of a stake in Telelink Bulgaria. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Kiril Ivanov, Investment Director at Blackpeak Capital, to learn more about the acquisition.

On August 23, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that JSK had advised Credit Value Investments on its investment in the Saunia Group through bond financing. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Radoslav Tausinger, Managing Director at Credit Value Investments (CVI), to learn more about the matter.

On September 9, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that PeliPartners had advised WDP on the acquisition of the Arad Business Park logistics center. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Adrian Vitelaru, Chief Operating Officer at WDP Romania, to learn more about the acquisition.

On August 30, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii had advised Meta Estate Trust on its IPO and listing of shares on the AeRO market of the Bucharest Stock Exchange. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Raluca Dragan, CFO at Meta Estate Trust, to learn more about the matter.

On August 30, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that Boyanov & Co had advised Yara International on the sale of Bulgarian and Romanian businesses Yara Bulgaria and Yara Digital Romania to the Nik Group. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Sverre Hodnebo, Legal Counsel at Yara International, to learn more about the sale.

On July 28, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that ODI Law had advised Holding Slovenske Elektrarne on a EUR 350 million cross-border syndicated debt refinancing. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Matej Petrisic Assistant Head of Legal Affairs and Corporate Governance at Holding Slovenske Elektrarne, to learn more about the matter.

On August 9, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that Vukovic & Partners had advised ODM Collections on obtaining a purchase of receivables work license from the Central Bank of Montenegro. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Drazen Stevanovic, CEO at ODM Collections, to learn more about the matter.

On July 13, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that Onisko & Holesova, Planinic Soljic & Partners, and solo practitioner Klemen Ticar advised Kofola on its refinancing. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Martin Pisklak, Group Chief Financial Officer at Kofola CeskoSlovensko, to learn more about the matter.

On June 28, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that Motieka & Audzevicius, working with Osborne Clarke, had advised the Orion Private Equity Debt Fund I on its EUR 7 million acquisition of secured mezzanine bonds issued by Austrian real estate developer Soini Asset to finance its real estate projects in Germany. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Benas Poderis, Head of Investment Management Department at the Orion Private Equity Debt Fund I to learn more about the deal.

On March 1, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that KWKR Konieczny Wierzbicki had advised Knacks's owners on their sale of a majority stake in the company to RightBridge Ventures. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Dawid Szymanski, CEO at Knacks, to learn more about the sale.

Former Visa Senior Regional Counsel for South Eastern Europe Basak Gurbuz has joined Alliance Healthcare Turkiye as its new Director of Legal Affairs and General Counsel.

Former Turcas Petrol Chief Legal Officer Eda Yuksel has joined Dogan Holding as its new Chief Legal Officer.

Former Clifford Chance Senior Partner David Kolacek has joined KKCG as Group Chief Legal Officer.

Former Home Credit International Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Martin Seda has joined CME as Group Legal and Compliance Director.

Dorota Mazurek-Zaprawa was appointed to International Legal Team Manager at Orlen.

Dentones Partner Emeritus Tomasz Dabrowski has become the new Managing Partner of Cornerstone Investment Management.

Burgundy Capital Management has appointed Cezary Cienkowski as its new General Counsel.

Former T-Mobile Czech Republic and Slovak Telekom General Counsel and Head of Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Affairs Vladimira Chlandova was appointed as the Vodafone Czech Republic's new Vice President for Legal Affairs, Risk Management, and Corporate Security.

Partner in Pet Food Legal Counsel Eszter Barta has become the firm's new Group Legal Director.

BRD - Groupe Societe Generale in-house Lawyer Vlad Giurgiu has joined LegalZen as its Head of Legal.

Romanian lawyer Adina Jach was promoted to Head of Legal and Compliance at Reverse Logistics Group in Germany.

Decathlon Hungary Legal Counsel Timea Balazs has become the company’s new Head of Legal and Compliance.

Former Pearson Legal Director Dinc Sanver has joined PwC Turkiye as its new Director of the Legal Department.

Former iQR Asset Management Partner and Head of Legal and Compliance Dino Aganovic, Wiener Osiguranje Vienna Insurance Group Head Of Legal and Secretary Davor Majstorovic, and MTEL in-house counsel Vladimir Bjekic have joined forces to launch AMB Legal Group in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Eniko Uveges has been promoted to Lead Legal Counsel at Grundfos.

TurkNet has appointed Merve Oney Barlas as its new Chief Legal, Compliance, and Regulation Officer.

Former Novo Nordisk Regional General Counsel and Vice President for legal, compliance, and quality in the Asia Pacific region Meltem Ozker Gunduz has joined GE HealthCare as its new General Counsel.

Former BRD - Groupe Societe Generale Deputy CEO and Head of Legal & Administrative Mihai Selegean has joined Rizoiu & Asociatii as Of Counsel and the firm’s new Head of Financial and Banking Law practice.

Former Skupina Zito Director of Legal Affairs and General Services Tamara Mohoric Selak has joined LON as its new Head of Compliance.

Former Schoenherr Managing Attorney at Law Andrei Muresan has joined the Tiriac Group as its new Head of Legal - Special Projects.

Ozlem Gelbal Uluisik has become the new General Manager of the Legal Department at Zorlu Holding.

Former Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe Vice-President of the Management Board Lukasz Mlynarkiewicz has joined Kochanski & Partners as a Partner in its Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, and ESG Practice Group and will also serve as the Head of the Nuclear Energy Practice.

Former CTP Acting Group Head of Legal and Group Head of M&A Legal Kveta Vojtova and Head of M&A Michal Felcman have joined CPI Property Group as Group Head of M&A and Transaction Legal and Deputy COO and Group Head of M&A, respectively.

Milica Topic has become the new Regional Legal and Compliance Officer-Eastern Europe at Beko Balkans.