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  • What is Green in Austria? A Buzz Interview with Ivo Deskovic of Taylor Wessing

    Sustainability-related disputes, cyber security issues, and corporate restructurings are shaping Austria’s legal dispute landscape, with courts and arbitration increasingly tackling ESG issues and greenwashing claims, according to Taylor Wessing Partner Ivo Deskovic who highlights a surge in insolvencies as well as the long-anticipated implementation of the EU Class Action Directive.

    “One of the most interesting trends we observe is the increasing relevance of sustainability-related disputes,” Deskovic begins. Whether in courts or arbitration, sustainability and ESG issues are becoming a key topic. “With the EU Green Deal and stricter regulations, we are seeing a rise in cases related to greenwashing – an issue that was barely on the radar a few years ago but is now emerging as a serious legal battleground.”Another hot topic is that of cybersecurity-related disputes. “After a cyber-attack, when systems are back under control, the question always arises as to who has to pay for the damages caused, not only to the attacked company but also to its customers and suppliers.”

    Additionally, Deskovic reports that crisis-driven disputes remain a significant factor. “A prime example is a long-running case involving a bank’s supervisory board, which was finally decided recently in favor of our clients – the dispute revolved around whether board members violated their duty of care in overseeing the bank’s operations, and the ruling confirmed they did not. This decision is important because it clarifies the level of duty of care required from executives during times of financial crisis – a crucial precedent given the current wave of corporate challenges,” he explains. 

    Continuing, Deskovic says that there has been a surge in “major restructurings and insolvencies, which naturally lead to a high volume of disputes.” Pointing to the examples of Signa and other high-profile cases like KTM, Deskovic stresses that the “big question now is how will these restructurings play out in terms of disputes.” Looking back, the first COVID-19 lockdowns triggered widespread expectations of mass bankruptcies, however, “due to government interventions, businesses were kept afloat longer than anticipated. Now that these support measures have ended, we are finally seeing a delayed wave of restructurings,” Deskovic explains. Whether this will result in a market clean-up or prolonged uncertainty remains to be seen. “For investors, it’s a period of risk assessment, but for the labor market, the restructuring process seems to be having a relatively mild impact for now.” Additionally, Deskovic indicates that with Austria’s new government in place, “we’ll need to see how policy shifts might influence economic recovery and insolvency proceedings in the coming years.”

    Finally, Deskovic reports that Austria implemented the EU Class Action Directive last year. “This is another area with a lot of potential for change. The Class Action Directive was introduced at the European level, but Austria delayed its implementation.” According to him, now that the framework is in place, it is to be expected that first-class actions under the new law will soon take place. “Austrian class actions won’t operate exactly like American-style lawsuits. Instead, they’ll function more as mass actions, consolidating multiple claims into a single procedure when overarching legal questions need to be resolved,” Deskovic explains. Previously, under what is known as “Class Actions Austrian Style” claimants had to assign individual claims to a single plaintiff, but under the new system, there will be a more unified approach. “What’s particularly interesting is that the first two or three legal entities have already registered as qualified entities. While the system is still untested, it could mark the beginning of a new era of collective litigation in Austria and we anticipate significant developments in this space in the near future,” he concludes.

  • Vlad Giurgiu Becomes Head of Legal at LegalZen

    BRD – Groupe Societe Generale in-house Lawyer Vlad Giurgiu has joined LegalZen as its Head of Legal.

    LegalZen is a start-up offering contracts and standard documents drafted by lawyers to be subsequently customized.

    Giurgiu has been with BRD – Groupe Societe Generale since 2023. Earlier, he was an Associate with NNDKP between 2021 and 2023 and with Musat & Asociatii between 2020 and 2021.

    “I am honored to join LegalZen as Head of Legal,” commented Giurgiu. “This role aligns with my passion for modernizing legal services and bridging the gap between traditional practice and innovative technology. At LegalZen, we are committed to delivering accessible legal assistance – from comprehensive contract templates to personalized legal support – ensuring our clients receive efficient and tailored solutions. I look forward to driving our mission forward and contributing to the evolution of the legal tech landscape.”

    Originally reported by CEE In-House Matters.

  • CMS Advises Joint Lead Managers on EUR 3 Billion 15-Year Sovereign Bond Issuance by the Slovak Republic

    CMS has advised joint lead managers HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Slovenska Sporitelna, and Tatra Banka on the Slovak Republic’s bond issuance of EUR 3 billion 3.750% notes due 2040.

    According to CMS, this transaction is the largest 15-year syndicated single-tranche issuance in both the Slovak Republic and the CEE international capital markets.

    The CMS team included Bratislava-based Managing Partner Juraj Fuska and Lawyer Martin Melicher as well as further lawyers in the UK.

  • White & Case Advises Fingen on Joint Venture with Kalyon for Florentia Village Designer Outlet Project

    White & Case and its Turkish affiliate GKC Partners have advised Fingen on establishing a joint venture with Kalyon for the development of the Florentia Village designer outlet project. 

    Fingen is an Italian investment firm that manages investments across private equity, real estate, and retail.

    Kalyon is a Turkish conglomerate.

    According to White & Case, the venture will focus on the design, construction, operation, and management of a luxury outlet shopping mall located within the Istanbul Airport development area.

    The White & Case team included Partner Emre Ozsar and Associates Gokcen Durgut and Batuhan Akarsu.

  • Sarbu Partners Opens for Business in Romania

    Former Oglinda & Partners lawyers Eugen Sarbu, Mihai Ionescu-Balea, and Tasiana Timofticiuc have established Sarbu Partners in Bucharest.

    According to the firm, its primary areas of focus are international arbitration, commercial litigation in Romania, construction law, public procurement, real estate, corporate commercial, insolvency and restructuring, and recognition and enforcement of foreign awards.

    Sarbu was with Oglinda & Partners since 2015, when he joined the firm as an Associate. He was promoted to Senior Associate in 2017 and made Partner in 2020. 

    Ionescu-Balea first joined Oglinda & Partners in 2019 as a Junior Associate. He was promoted to Associate in 2021 and to Senior Associate in 2022. 

    Timofticiuc was an Associate with Oglinda & Partners between 2022 and 2024.

    “Success lies in the details”, commented Partner Eugen Sarbu. “Our approach ensures that every case is handled with precision, from assessing evidence to presenting well-documented legal arguments. This commitment to excellence is what defines Sarbu Partners.”

  • Rymarz Zdort Maruta Mints Five New Partners

    Rymarz Zdort Maruta has promoted Lukasz Lech, Adam Puchalski, Krzysztof Rembierz, Maria Szczepanska, and Piotr Zawacki to Partner.

    Lech’s primary area of focus is energy and natural resources. He has been with the firm since 2021 when he joined as Counsel. Earlier, he worked at A&O Shearman, first as a Junior Lawyer between 2011 and 2012, then as an Associate between 2012 and 2014, and finally as a Senior Associate between 2014 and 2021.

    Puchalski focuses on regulatory issues related to the financial sector. He joined Rymarz Zdort Maruta in 2022 as Counsel. Earlier, he worked at Bank Pekao between 2018 and 2022, most recently as the bank’s Director of the Office of Strategic Projects. Earlier still, he was a Senior Associate with Greenberg Traurig between 2012 and 2018 and an Associate with Dewey & LeBoeuf between 2009 and 2012.

    Rembierz specializes in tax. He joined Rymarz Zdort Maruta in 2020 as a Senior Associate and became Counsel in 2024. Earlier, he had three separate stints with Deloitte, firstly as a Tax Consultant between 2010 and 2012, then as a Senior Tax Consultant between 2013 and 2015, and finally as a Manager between 2018 and 2019. He worked for Arena Tax between 2015 and 2018, and for GWW as a Lawyer between 2012 and 2013.

    Szczepanska focuses primarily on white-collar crime. She was a Senior Associate with the firm between 2020 and 2022 when she was promoted to Counsel. Earlier, she was an Associate with Weil, Gotshal & Manges between 2014 and 2020. Earlier still, she was a Lawyer with Elzanowski Cherka & Wspolnicy between 2012 and 2014.

    Zawacki’s area of primary focus is tax. He joined Rymarz Zdort Maruta as a Senior Associate in 2020 and became a Counsel in 2021. Earlier, worked at Deloitte as a Tax Consultant between 2006 and 2008, a Senior Tax Consultant between 2012 and 2013, a Tax Manager between 2013 and 2015, and finally a Senior Tax Manager between 2015 and 2019. Moreover, he worked at PwC as a Tax Consultant between 2008 and 2009 and as a Senior Tax Consultant between 2009 and 2012.

    “The strength of our law firm is our people – their knowledge and experience are the foundation of our success,” said Managing Partner Pawel Zdort. “For years, we have supported their career paths by offering opportunities for promotion and experience, believing that investment in the individuals making up our team translates into the highest quality of service for our clients. It is thanks to our ambitious, professional, and committed lawyers that we are able to continually grow and achieve further success. Lukasz, Adam, Krzysztof, Maria, and Piotr – your promotions to partner confirm your strong commitment to the firm’s growth and to providing the highest quality of advice to our clients. We congratulate you on this new role and wish you the best of luck.”

  • Adelina Jach Becomes Head of Legal and Compliance at Reverse Logistics Group

    Romanian lawyer Adina Jach was promoted to Head of Legal and Compliance at Reverse Logistics Group in Germany.

    Jach has been with RLG since 2022 when she joined as Legal Counsel before becoming a Legal team Lead in 2023. Earlier, she was an IP Lawyer with Weickmann between 2019 and 2022. Before her move to Germany, she worked for NNDKP between 2012 and 2015.

    Reverse Logistics Group deals in circularity solutions, including EPR compliance support and PRO operations.

    Originally reported by CEE In-House Matters.

  • A&O Shearman Advises ISP on Acquisition of American School of Wroclaw

    Allen Overy Shearman Sterling has advised International Schools Partnership Limited on its acquisition of the American School of Wroclaw.

    International Schools Partnership Limited is an educational platform backed by Partners Group and OMERS and operator of 105 schools across 25 countries.

    According to A&O Shearman, established in 2011, ASW is recognized as the leading educational group in southern Poland, operating facilities from nursery to high school with a strong reputation for academic excellence.

    The A&O Shearman team included Partner Magdalena Nasilowska, Counsel Piotr Szczecinski, Senior Associates Maciej Szykut, Malgorzata Jastrzebska, and Marcin Ziarkowski, and Associate Jakub Zebrowski, Katarzyna Fus-Starzec, Julia Pytko, and Pawel Grzesik.

    A&O Shearman did not respond to our inquiry on the matter.

  • Dentons and Schoenherr Advise on Komercni Banka’s Acquisition of SG Equipment Finance Czech Republic

    Dentons has advised Komercni Banka on acquiring a 49.9% stake in SG Equipment Finance Czech Republic from Societe Generale Equipment Finance. Jones Day and Schoenherr advised Societe Generale. White & Case reportedly advised SGEF owner BPCE.

    According to Dentons, combined with KB’s existing 51.1% stake, this transaction makes KB the 100% owner of SGEF CR. The parties have chosen not to disclose the transaction value.

    Moreover, Dentons reports that the deal closed in parallel with Societe Generale’s sale of its equipment financing activities – excluding those in the Czech Republic and Slovakia – to BPCE, a French financial group.

    SGEF CR provides finance leases, operating leases, and loans (including subsidized support) to finance investments in industrial equipment, modern technologies, transport, agricultural equipment, and healthcare.

    The Dentons team included Prague-based Partners David Simek and Petr Zakoucky, Senior Associate Tomas Pavelka, Associate Anna Kolodrubcova, and Junior Associates Krystof Vrtek, Dusan Korbel, and Robert Kveton as well as Paris-based Partner Olivier Genevois.

    The Schoenherr team included Warsaw-based Partners Pawel Halwa and Weronika Kapica and Prague-based Partner Vladimir Cizek and Attorneys at Law Jiri Marek, Jan Kupcik, Kristyna Tupa, and Natalie Dubska.

  • Sayenko Kharenko Advises MHP on Application of Autonomous Trade Measures

    Sayenko Kharenko has advised MHP on the specifics of applying autonomous trade measures, first introduced by the EU in June 2022 to support Ukraine’s economy. 

    According to Sayenko Kharenko, these ATMs suspend import duties, tariff quotas, entry prices for imports from Ukraine, and anti-dumping and safeguard measures. The regime was extended in 2023 and 2024 with a special safeguard mechanism for seven agricultural products, including sugar, eggs, and honey, proving crucial for Ukrainian producers under transport blockade conditions.

    Earlier, Sayenko Kharenko was successful for MHP in arbitration proceedings in 2023 (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on February 9, 2023) as well as in 2021 (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on March 4, 2021).

    The Sayenko Kharenko team included Partner Anzhela Makhinova and Associate Oleksandra Sandul.