Ştefan Botezatu

Ștefan Botezatu is a Co-founder of act legal Romania and a senior practitioner with over 25 years of experience in Energy, Competition, Corporate/M&A, Compliance and high-stakes Dispute Resolution.

He is widely recognised for his expertise in energy regulatory matters covering electricity and gas trading, supply, production, grid access, infrastructure development and e-mobility. He represents leading domestic and international companies in energy arbitration, complex regulatory disputes, antitrust proceedings and white-collar investigations.

In addition to contentious mandates, Ștefan has a strong track record in complex corporate restructurings, business transfers and strategic M&A transactions in regulated industries.

- Co-founder, act legal Romania

- Member of the Steering Committee, act legal international

- Former Partner, Gide Loyrette Nouel

- Former Partner, Kinstellar

Ștefan Botezatu has built a distinguished legal career spanning more than 25 years, combining top-tier international law firm experience with leadership within a fully integrated international firm.

As Co-founder of act legal Romania, he has played a central role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction and market positioning. He is also a Member of the Steering Committee of act legal international, contributing to the firm’s cross-border governance, strategic development and international integration.

Ștefan leads the Energy and Competition practices and coordinates complex, multi-disciplinary mandates involving regulatory, corporate and contentious elements. His practice reflects a strong combination of technical legal depth and sector-driven business understanding.

In 2017, he assisted the seller in the largest M&A transaction in the Romanian energy sector since privatisation, further consolidating his standing as a trusted adviser in strategic transactions and regulated industries.

- Member, Bucharest Bar Association

- Member, Romanian Union of Lawyers (UNBR)

- Board Advisor, Juridice.ro (leading Romanian legal publication)

Ștefan is a regular speaker at high-profile local and international conferences addressing developments in energy regulation, competition enforcement and corporate compliance.

He contributes to industry discussions on:

- Regulatory reform in the energy sector

- Competition law enforcement trends

- Corporate governance and compliance frameworks

- Energy transition and infrastructure development

His client portfolio includes leading multinational and regional companies.

He also advises major electricity and gas suppliers, energy infrastructure operators and strategic investors active in regulated markets.

Clients describe Ștefan as a lawyer who combines deep sector knowledge with business acumen and strategic clarity.

Chambers & Partners (2025) notes his “impressive market and industry knowledge,” while a client describes him as “our go-to energy lawyer and one of the most seasoned professionals in the legal arena.”

He is recognised for bridging business and legal perspectives, providing pragmatic and commercially grounded advice.

- Assisted the seller in the largest M&A transaction in the Romanian energy market since privatisation (2017).

- Represents leading energy companies in arbitration and complex regulatory disputes involving trading, supply and infrastructure matters.

- Advises multinational groups in antitrust investigations and competition compliance matters.

- Leads defence strategies in white-collar crime proceedings, particularly in the energy sector.

- Coordinates complex corporate restructurings and business transfers in regulated industries.

University of Bucharest

Bachelor of Laws

1994 - 1998

Harvard Law School Executive Education

Leadership in Law Firms

2014 - 2014

Romania and Cross-border CEE matters (in coordination with act legal offices and international counsel)cccc