Banking & Finance | Europe

Allen & Overy is a top-rated law firm, acting on many of the country's most significant finance transactions. The team has a broad spectrum of expertise covering acquisition and real estate finance as well as major refinancings. The law firm advises on large-scale asset finance transactions in the aviation sector and represents prestigious domestic and international financial institutions as bilateral and syndicated lenders as well as borrowers. Additionally, the department is a popular choice for financial services regulatory matters. Allen & Overy is exceptionally adept at handling capital markets matters, assisting with bond issuances, including green bonds and derivatives.

A powerhouse in the financial and capital markets areas, Clifford Chance offers first-rate expertise encompassing complex acquisition and project finance as well as the financing of real estate portfolios. The firm is well versed in covered bond programmes and note issuances, often utilising its international network. The lawyers advise prominent domestic and international banks as lenders and issuers on large-scale transactions and have extensive experience in the energy sector.

Dentons houses an excellent practice group, complemented by the firm's international network. The firm boasts a deep bench of experts, enabling the team to act on complex deals across a variety of areas, including acquisition, corporate and real estate finance as well as financial restructurings. Dentons is well placed to handle cross-border transactions, including multi-currency financings. The firm acts for both lenders and borrowers, servicing a particularly impressive number of leading Czech banks.

A stellar outfit in the Czech market, White & Case is well equipped to handle an extensive range of financial mandates including debt restructuring and project finance. The department also takes on acquisition finance, refinancing, export finance and real estate finance mandates. Additionally, the firm boasts extensive experience in complex loan structures. The team is highly sought after for the market's largest capital markets transactions, with a caseload encompassing floating rate bonds issuances and IPOs. The practice acts for lenders, borrowers, issuers and arrangers, boasting an impressive client roster comprising international banks and large companies. White & Case is also well prepared to assist with multi-jurisdictional transactions governed under English law.

Baker McKenzie operates a broad banking and finance practice with a work portfolio spanning acquisition finance and bilateral and syndicated lending in addition to debt refinancing and restructuring. The team is well prepared to represent both international banks and corporations, most notably from the automotive, real estate and food and beverage industries. The department is similarly able in regulatory matters. Baker McKenzie is a particularly strong choice for cross-border deals.

A strong firm for banking and finance transactions in the region, CMS is well placed to advise leading banks, borrowers and private equity sponsors. The team has a strong track record in cross-border acquisition and real estate finance, with further strength in refinancing and restructuring. The practice is a popular choice for deals governed by English law, with on-the-ground capabilities at its disposal domestically. The lawyers are also well prepared to assist with NPL portfolio acquisitions.

BBH demonstrates experience in an array of finance transactions including corporate lending and start-up and acquisition financing. The team is also well known for its work on banking regulatory issues. The practice possesses knowledge of bond placements and restructurings on the capital markets side, as well as securitisation work. The department's client roster mainly comprises domestic and international financial services providers.

Kinstellar has an established presence in the banking and finance market, with a remit including acquisition and real estate finance. The team has additional experience advising on debt restructuring as well as banking regulatory matters. The department has a strong client roster of leading domestic banks and international financial institutions. The practice is frequently active in cross-border matters, most notably related to the CEE region.

Respected in the Czech market, Kocián Šolc Balaštík is well placed to advise on a range of financial and capital markets mandates. The firm acts on both transactions and regulatory matters with a work portfolio comprising corporate lending, project, acquisition and syndicated financings and capital refinancings. The team also advises on certificate issuance, the implementation of new financial directives and bond transactions. Its varied client base consists of lenders, borrowers, issuers and arrangers, based both domestically and abroad.

PRK Partners is a well-known domestic firm with a strong reputation in both financing and capital markets transactions. The team regularly represents domestic and international lenders in transactions encompassing acquisition, real estate and syndicated finance. The practice frequently teams up with large international firms to assist with multi-jurisdictional deals. Its capital markets expertise includes bond issuances, debt issuance programmes, regulatory mandates and prospectus updates, with a clientele spanning securities brokers, bank syndicates and issuers.

DELTA legal enters the rankings this year due to its increasing activity representing financial institutions, investors and corporate clients in acquisition, post-acquisition and asset finance as well as refinancings and convertible loans. The firm is especially active in the real estate sector.

Well-regarded local firm Glatzová & Co is noted for its strength in cross-border financings and debt restructuring. Its expertise also covers acquisition finance, facilities agreements, refinancing and associated regulatory issues. The practice services a range of major corporate clients, as well as domestic and international financial institutions.

The team at Schoenherr possesses significant expertise in the field. The law firm's notable mandates include acquisition financing, restructurings, market expansion support and drafting ad hoc securities agreements. Its extensive list of clients includes international banks and automotive and fintech companies as well as energy and infrastructure groups.

Wolf Theiss is recognised for its work on cross-border matters within the CEE region. The team has a track record of acting for both lenders and borrowers on acquisitions, refinancings and facilities agreements. The lawyers' scope of expertise also covers regulatory affairs, where the team assists clients with compliance training in respect to new regulations.