About

Provided by Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners

Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, lawyers have provided high-level legal advice in all areas of law, from complex landmark cross-border transactions to day-to-day corporate legal advisory. Our client list includes some of the largest multinationals, as well as leading local companies operating in the SEE region. We combine regional reach with local expertise to find appropriate legal solutions in line with our clients’ needs.

Strong focus on multijurisdictional matters, as a result of having good relations with a network of law firms in SEE. 

We are providing legal assistance on all aspects of corporate, M&A and commercial law. We regularly advise clients on JVs, management buyouts, leveraged buyouts, privatisations, restructurings, takeover bids, auctions and share sales. In addition to this, we also provide day-to-day legal advisory to a number of international and domestic companies doing business in Croatia.

Work Highlight:

  • Advised Mexican food industry giant Grupo Bimbo on Croatian aspects of their acquisition of Don Don Group, which marks one of the most significant transactions in the Southeast European food and bakery sector in recent years.
  • Advised Cirtuo, a Croatia, Austria and US based leader in AI-powered category management, on its strategic sale to Coupa, the global leader in AI-native total spend management. The acquisition represents one of the most significant cross-border technology exits involving a CEE-founded company in 2025.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial - Croatia

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners is well placed to assist with a variety of corporate commercial matters in Croatia. Its experience includes cross-border business acquisitions and share deals. The team often assists clients from the technology and hospitality sectors, as well as investment funds.

Work Highlights

  • Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners advised Teraplast on its acquisition of a 70% stake in Optiplast.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Goran Ilej
3
Goran Ilej
Head of Corporate/Commercial
3
Band 3

Head of department Goran Ilej is noted for his corporate and commercial work in Croatia. He advises international clients on the acquisition of Croatian targets and on the commercial aspects of their presence in Croatia. He has further experience assisting Croatian start-ups with venture capital matters.

Goran is clearly very experienced in transactional work and has a good sense of the client's commercial needs.

Goran Ilej's seniority is evident throughout the process. He demonstrates an excellent balance between getting personally involved when necessary and knowing what and how to delegate.

Goran Ilej is always solution-oriented, hands-on and has great interpersonal skills.

Franka Baica
4
Franka Baica
4
Band 4

Franka Baica has built up experience advising on acquisitions, investment matters and corporate issues.

Franka Baica is a very reliable and responsible person. She has exceptional knowledge of English and is available.

Iva Tokić Čuljak
4
Iva Tokić Čuljak
4
Band 4

Iva Tokić Čuljak advises both domestic and international clients on merger and acquisition procedures, as well as other corporate and commercial issues. She often works on multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Iva always has a solution at hand.

I can only recommend Iva Tokić Čuljak for her work and general commercial awareness.

Antun Skansi
Antun Skansi
Associates to watch

Antun Skansi often assists clients with share purchase agreements and company restructurings. He is well placed to advise on cross-border deals.

He is extremely collaborative, helpful and clearly explain risks. He is very proactive, suggesting best ways in the much efficient manners. He makes things simpler and gets the job done.

He knows the law in detail.

Antun Skansi is very easy-going and friendly, but also comes prepared, gives clear advice and never misses the deadline.

Nika Jurković
Nika Jurković
Associates to watch

Nika Jurković focuses on advising international clients on acquisitions of target companies based in Croatia. She also assists clients with share sales, cross-border ownership restructuring exercises and demonstrates expertise in handling compliance matters.

Nika is a straightforward lawyer.

Nika Jurković provides timely support on transaction processes, even when deadlines are tight.

Nika Jurković is reliable, sharp and understands how legal advice plays into our commercial decisions. She is very easy to work with and always solution-focused.

Nika demonstrating meticulous attention to detail. She is also incredibly responsive.

Nika Jurković is very organised, communicative and has high level of attention to detail. She also has deep business acumen and rapidly adapts to the evolving circumstances of the deal.

Ranked Lawyers at
Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Croatia

Corporate/Commercial

Goran Ilej
3
Goran Ilej
Head of Corporate/Commercial
3
Band 3
Franka Baica
4
Franka Baica
4
Band 4
Iva Tokić Čuljak
4
Iva Tokić Čuljak
4
Band 4
Antun Skansi
Antun Skansi
Associates to watch
Nika Jurković
Nika Jurković
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners

Clients

Provided by Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners

Awaze

Cirtuo

E.ON

EBRD

EMPWR

Endava

Enlight Renewable Energy

Fortuna Entertainment Group

Grupo Bimbo

HPL Hotels & Resorts

Henkel

Hive Energy

Pearl Infrastructure Capital

Pfizer

SAP

Teraplast

Wolt

Zagreb International Airport

Industries

Provided by Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners

Banks

Consumer Goods

Energy

Financial Services and FinTech

Healthcare

Hospitality and Tourism

IT, Start-ups and Gaming

Industry and Manufacturing

Infrastructure

Media

Pharmaceuticals

Private Equity

Real Estate

Retail

Technology

Telecommunication

Transport