The Russian invasion is still ongoing, affecting all areas of life in Ukraine, but there are slivers of hope and reasons to stay positive and optimistic, according to Kinstellar Partner Alla Kozachenko.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine hit the one-year mark, we asked Ukrainian law firms how they adjusted to the new circumstances, how their mandates and teams have evolved, and about the support they received from their colleagues abroad throughout this period.

Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the world faces an ever-increasing number of restrictive measures and sanctions introduced in various jurisdictions. While the global sanctions landscape has been long established, it has developed rapidly after February 24, 2022.

In “The Corner Office” we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With a rough year drawing to a close, and market uncertainties running high, the question this time: If you had a million dollars, what would you invest it in today?

Kinstellar has advised BRD-Groupe Societe Generale on its EUR 24.3 million financing to Speedwell for the development of two green residential buildings in Timisoara, Romania. Wolf Theiss reportedly advised Speedwell.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, nine law firms in Central and Eastern Europe got off to an exceptionally strong start in 2023, with five client matters or more reported on by CEE Legal Matters in the first month of the year alone?

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, although a total of ten lawyers worked on three reported Corporate/M&A deals in the Czech Republic over the past 12 months, only one of those ten reported working on more?

Aside from Croatia entering the Euro and Schengen zones, there have been numerous other legislative updates of note – primarily in the spheres of labor and land rights – according to Miroslav Plascar, Co-Managing Partner of Zuric i Partneri in cooperation with Kinstellar.

Kinstellar’s Croatian affiliate Zuric i Partneri has advised Angelina Yachtcharter Holding on its acquisition of 85% of the shares of Jadranka Yachting from Jadranka d.d. and Arman Percinlic.

Did You Know that, according to the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website, Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov worked on 15 reported client matters in Bulgaria in 2022 – more than any other law firm?

Paksoy, working with Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has advised Groupe Cahors on its acquisition of Schneider Electric companies that operate transformer plants in Turkey and Poland. Baker McKenzie Turkish affiliate Esin Attorney Partnership reportedly advised the sellers. Volt Associes and Kinstellar Turkish affiliate Gen Temizer Ozer reportedly advised the lenders.

Former Osborne Clarke CEO Simon Beswick has joined Kinstellar’s Board of Directors as a non-executive member.

Schoenherr has advised China's Shanghai Electric Power on its full acquisition of five project companies developing a 200-megawatt PV project in Northeast Hungary from Chint Solar Hungary Projects. Kinstellar advised Chint Solar.

Kinstellar Croatian affiliate Zuric i Partneri has advised OTP Banka on the financing for Adria Dental Group’s acquisition of the Fiziodent Polyclinic. Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich advised the Adria Dental Group on the acquisition and financing. Kramaric & Partners advised Karlo Sudarevic on the sale.

Did you know that Dentons worked on more reported client matters in Central and Eastern Europe in 2022 – 86 – than any other firm (with Sorainen only one behind), and that Andrzej Stosio of Clifford Chance in Poland worked on more client matters than any other lawyer in the region – 13 (with Mantas Petkevicius of Sorainen in Lithuania and Roxana Ionescu of Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu in Romania both only one behind, with 12)?

Kinstellar has advised S Immo on the acquisition of six office properties in Budapest valued at EUR 244 million from Immofinanz. Oppenheim advised Immofinanz.

Although there are several incentives for renewable energy projects supported by the state, there also seem to be several factors that could impede Serbia’s potential for renewables and deter further investments in the sector. Kinstellar Belgrade Managing Partner Branislav Maric, JPM Jankovic Popovic Mitic Senior Partner Jelena Gazivoda, and Gecic Law Partner Ognjen Colic weigh which will carry a stronger impact.

Kinstellar has advised OTP Bank on its acquisition of Uzbekistan’s Ipoteka Bank. The White & Case London and Tashkent offices reportedly advised the seller.