Banking & Finance | Europe

A&O Shearman is a regional leader in the CEE market, with prominent finance and capital markets teams in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. It advises international lender syndicates on high-value transactions, including the refinancing of companies with operations across the CEE region or the awarding of project finance facilities governed by the laws of several different jurisdictions.

Clifford Chance has a formidable offering in the CEE banking and capital markets sphere, housing leading teams in Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania that act on both high-end finance transactions and matters that affect multiple CEE jurisdictions. The standout law firm boasts strong relationships with a number of international investment banks, traditional lenders and funds that are active in the CEE region. Additionally the firm advises on acquisitions in the energy, IT and retail sectors, as well as investment into real estate concerns.

CMS is an outstanding finance practice with proven capacity to lead multi-jurisdictional lending transactions from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary. This leading law firm acts on acquisition financing of real estate assets and target companies that have subsidiaries in multiple CEE jurisdictions. Its clients include international bank syndicates and financial services providers who additionally benefit from the law firm's particular expertise in banking matters relating to the CEE region.

Dentons has a significant presence throughout the CEE region, with offices in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. The team is well reputed for its work in real estate finance, where the firm acts for major regional developers and their subsidiaries on obtaining high-stakes facilities across the CEE. The law firm is similarly active on the lenders' side, assisting investment banks with acquisition finance and corporate lending transactions, as well as debt refinancing. Dentons also assists with cross-border energy and infrastructure project financing matters.

Wolf Theiss is a significant firm throughout the CEE and SEE regions, with local expertise in jurisdictions including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Romania. The law firm advises on revolving ESG-linked credit facilities for clients active across multiple CEE countries. The team also advises major regional entities on financing matters in the automotive sector that are co-ordinated between teams in local offices. In addition Wolf Theiss handles significant loan agreements between syndicates of CEE-based lenders. Cross-border capital market matters also serve as a source of instruction for the firm.

DLA Piper assists with domestic and international finance matters across the CEE region. Real estate finance forms a significant part of the law firm's caseload and the practice acts for both banks and property developers. The firm is also active in the energy and insurance sectors. The team is well equipped to provide clients with complex regulatory advice.

Karanovic & Partners boasts particular strength in Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. The team demonstrates noteworthy capability in debt refinancing and project finance, particularly in the energy and real estate sectors. The law firm further acts on regulatory compliance and fintech matters.

Kinstellar is a CEE-based firm with practices throughout the region, including prominent teams in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. The team advises international financial institutions on regulatory issues, including those flowing from the roll-out of new financial products across the region. The law firm brings together pan-CEE teams to support global law firms in cross-border financings and refinancings. Kinstellar additionally acts on revolving credit facilities and fintech matters.

Linklaters is a visible practice on CEE-wide matters and offers advice in the region. The law firm's office in Poland also handles lending transactions or banking M&A deals that touch on multiple CEE jurisdictions. The team is well placed to represent international banks, particularly in respect of bilateral financing packages.