Rankings 2015
D&B David and Baias – a successful partnership.
In a partnership, the success belongs to the partnership. The team wins and with it, each one of its members.
Chambers Europe 2015
COMPETITION/ANTITRUST – BAND 1
Sorin David is well known for his academic approach to his work, teaching as an associate professor at the University of Bucharest alongside maintaining an extensive private practice.
Manuela Guia is highly experienced in proceedings involving the Competition Council, such as representing Eni/LUKOIL in litigation procedures to annul a fine imposed by the council.
Chambers Europe 2015 Edition mentions that D&B “advised Mega Image on an ongoing Competition Council investigation into the retail market”, “assisted the client with acquiring a national retail chain of 20 stores in Bucharest, and with the associated competition authorisation processes”, “represented several clients, including Glencore and Cargill, in investigations before the Romanian Competition Council concerning alleged price-fixing agreements in the grain trade market”.
Clients Testimonials:
- Sorin David is “one of the best in competition law throughout Romania”.
- Manuela Guia impresses clients with her “work, knowledge and professionalism. She is always very precise, and has knowledge of the international legal market.”
TAX – BAND 2
Dan Dascălu remains this firm’s leading tax litigator, with experience of representing clients before civil and arbitration courts in a range of tax cases. Lately, this included acting for Lear Corporation on a challenge against a tax authority decision concerning EUR 2 million VAT liabilities.
Among work highlights, the 2015 Europe Edition notices the Rafinaria Steaua Romana case where D&B obtained an ECJ ruling on behalf of the client and Nidera case, where D&D assisted the client with an action for the annulment of a EUR3 million tax assessment decision made by the tax authorities.
EMPLOYMENT – BAND 3
“Dan Dascălu has strong litigation expertise in employment matters, as well as a significant advisory practice. Recent highlights include advising PepsiCo on day-to-day employment matters, such as international assignment and employment arrangements.
Carmen Medar offers significant knowledge of Romanian labour and trade union law. She was part of the team which assisted Pepkor with the establishment of its Romanian subsidiary, advising the client on template employment agreements and internal regulations”.
SOCIETĂŢI COMERCIALE / FUZIUNI ŞI ACHIZIŢII – BAND 4
Sorin David has advised several leading clients, including OMV Petrom and BRD Groupe Société Générale, on a range of corporate issues.
Anda Rojanschi has brought her “bright, proactive and solution-focused” approach to an array of transactions, often with significant cross-border elements. This includes assisting German media client Burda International with the takeover of publishing group Sanoma Hearst Romania.
Clients Testimonials:
- Sources describe Sorin David as a “strong corporate and M&A practitioner, with knowledge of the commercial aspects of transactions”.
Chambers Global 2015
CORPORATE/M&A – BAND 4
Chambers and Partners Global, 2015 Edition describes Sorin David as being “a strong corporate and M&A practitioner, with knowledge of the commercial aspects of transactions. Lately, he has advised several leading clients, including OMV Petrom and BRD Groupe Société Générale, on a range of corporate issues”. Sorin David is ranked as a band 3 lawyer in M&A.
Anda Rojanschi “has brought her “bright, proactive and solution-focused” approach to an array of transactions recently, often with significant cross-border elements. This includes assisting German media client Burda International with the takeover of publishing group Sanoma Hearst Romania”, sources say. Anda is a band 4 lawyer in M&A, according to Chambers Global 2015 Edition.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Chambers and Partners Global, 2015 Edition, ranked Dan Dascălu as a band 4 lawyer in Dispute Resolution. Dan is ”recognised for his extensive dispute resolution work, with particular emphasis on cases relating to tax and employment law. Lately, this included acting for Rafinaria Steaua Romana on a case concerning high-value tax issues, which involved a ruling by the ECJ. Interviewees highlight him as “extremely well prepared technically, and focused on the detail in a case.”
Legal 500
BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS – TIER 4
D&B David si Baias recently advised OMV Petrom on the application of the foreign currency payments regime. Other clients include BRD – Groupe Société Générale and Omniasig Vienna Insurance Group. Sorin David is the key partner.
IT, TELECOMS AND MEDIA – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias advised Antenna Group on the acquisition of television and radio channels from ProSiebenSat.1, acted for UPC on football retransmission rights, and helped DeAgostini with copyright matters. Sorin David is the key partner.
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias handles corporate work and has impressive strength in competition, employment and all regulatory matters. Recent mandates include assisting Antenna Group with the acquisition of Romanian television and radio channels owned by ProSiebenSat.1. The ‘proactive’ Anda Rojanschi, who is well known for advising local entrepreneurs, heads the team together with ‘knowledgeable’ managing partner Sorin David.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION – TIER 2
D&B David si Baias specialises in antitrust and competition litigation, as well as tax, administrative and commercial matters. Senior associate Amelia Teis, who joined from Vass Lawyers, has experience in public procurement cases. Dan Dascalu heads the team, which represented Eni in seeking to annul a Competition Council decision.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES – TIER 4
Anda Rojanschi heads D&B David si Baias’ practice, which advises OMV Petrom on regulatory matters and acts for Vantage Drilling on environmental and energy regulations.
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION – TIER 5
D&B David si Baias’ broadly experienced team advised clients on lease agreements and property acquisitions, including acting for a Maltese group on deals to purchase two commercial centres. Sorin David is the key contact.
Legal 500
EU AND COMPETITION – TIER 1
The depth of the team D&B David si Baias SCA is a major plus, not just in terms of associates such as Lucian Bozian, who attracts huge client praise, but also in the presence of managing partner Sorin David who remains a leading figure in the market. The versatile practice covers the full range of issues, including antitrust and unfair competition claims on the contentious side, and merger clearance and compliance training on the advisory front.
Sorin David – Leading individuals
Lucian Bozian – Rising stars
Clients Testimonials:
- “We were extremely pleased with their expertise and know-how in EU Funds/ State aid and Competition and built a strong relationship from then onward.”
- “Very professional attitude, good understanding of client’s objectives, hands-on approach, clear and structured legal opinions, first-class defence of client’s interests.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients.”
- “They provided seamless advice on our daily business and performed several compliance tasks on competition issues.”
- “Sorin David is one of the best known lawyers in the market.”
- “Lucian Bozian, was always available for our needs and we received valuable help and advice every time it was necessary. His commitment and great knowledge on complex matters was always treasured by us. Lucian Bozian has a past experience as a competition inspector, which enables him to provide practical insight into the authority’s way of handling investigations. He also has a strong hold of our business and understands the intricacies of the market.”
TAX – TIER 1
D&B David si Baias SCA has a top-notch reputation for contentious and non-contentious tax advice, and related administrative and white collar crime proceedings. The firm regularly represents clients before the regulatory authorities, and provides strong corporate support on M&As, financings, real estate deals and restructurings. Other areas of strength include VAT, transfer pricing, social contributions, excise duty and environmental tax. The firm’s membership of the PwC network makes it popular with clients seeking a one-stop-shop.
Tax litigation head Dan Dascălu, Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian are highly recommended for disputes. Sorin David and Anda Rojanschi are active on the advisory side.
Dan Dascălu – Leading individuals
Ana-Maria Iordache – Next Generation Partners
Clients Testimonials:
- “D&B David si Baias SCA are a great team and we trusted them with our tax litigation.”
- “In our opinion, Dan Dascalu is the best Romanian lawyer specialised in tax litigation, with extensive knowledge and experience in tax matters.”
- “The tax team is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to choosing the best possible lawyers in this domain. They can handle even the most difficult and complex cases, due to their exceptional technical skills doubled by the most practical approach.”
- “They are always available, even in short notice, and when you work in a fast changing industry you learn to appreciate this. I usually need answers yesterday, because this is how things work, so I know that I’ll get it when I ask D&B. We’ve worked together for so long they understand the business, so I don’t need to prepare pages of business understanding for them; I just ask the question.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients. Stability of representation team.”
- “Responsive lawyers who ask great questions and actively listen to answers.”
- “They have that connection to the reality that is given by years of practice, I guess – they provide a straightforward answer, not an open one. As a practitioner in the industry I do not need an array of possibilities to choose from, but a yes/no answer. Dan Dascalu and Ana Maria Iordache are remarkable to me.”
- “Dan Dascalu, being both a very persuasive practitioner and also an exceptional theorist, is definitely one of the best advocates to which anyone can entrust in full confidence even the most sensitive cases. He is a proficient lawyer, coordinating a team of genuinely professional individuals, of which I would mention Mihail Boian as a young lawyer on the rise.”
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA offers an all-embracing corporate practice that is as comfortable on the transactional side as it is on day-to-day matters. The one-stop-shop nature of its offering is cemented by its membership of the PwC network, and clients appreciate having the ability to access the full range of services.
Highly rated partner Anda Rojanschi leads the team alongside managing partner Sorin David. Clients include major multinationals, entrepreneurs and investors, and the firm is especially active in the healthcare sector.
Clients Testimonials:
- “A highly dedicated team with many years of M&A experience proven by several completed deals. The legal team benefits from the association with PwC (easy to assemble cross-disciplinary teams with financial, tax, corporate finance experts).”
- “Anda Rojanschi is a seasoned lawyer with strong M&A experience gained in several successfully closed transactions. She has the ability to smoothly convey her knowledge to the client achieving effective results in time-pressured situations.”
DISPUTE RESOLUTION TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA fields a strong team of litigation experts with experience across a range of disciplines. Tax disputes feature high on the agenda, but the firm also handles claims linked to heavily-regulated industries such as telecoms, as well as broader commercial, real estate, employment, banking and insolvency related disputes.
The versatile Dan Dascălu leads the team, which includes tax and administrative litigation expert Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian. Managing partner Sorin David is also highly experienced in this area.
Clients Testimonials:
- “We have been collaborating with D&B for many years within a sensitive and complex case; have a relationship based on trust, given the quality of legal opinions, the promptness of their submission, and considering our needs as clients.”
- “The capability of the team to handle difficult and complex litigations puts them to the top of practitioners in the dispute resolution area. They hold impressive skills in managing tax, competition, and administrative proceedings.”
- “I totally recommend Sorin David and Ovidiu Bold as very professional, rigorous, innovative lawyers.”
- “Sorin David is a really prestigious professional who can be trusted with the most sensitive competition cases, as he holds great experience and extensive knowledge in competition matters. Dan Dascalu is widely known for managing tax and administrative disputes on the highest possible standard, combining a very strong know how with the eloquence of a brilliant barrister.”
EMPLOYMENT TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA has a solid team led by partner Dan Dascălu, who divides his time between tax and employment law. The practice also contains several specialised associates who come highly recommended by clients, including Ioana Cercel. The practice is especially strong on the employment aspects of complex restructuring projects and business transfers. More recently it has been active on the litigation front and advised clients on COVID-19 related issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “Very professional team, responsive and supportive. Pro active approach from their side, flexible and customer oriented.”
- “D&B David & Baias communicates very effectively with the client’s internal teams, even if they are not people from the legal department. D&B team members are talking in the same language, more precisely if they are working with teams outside from the legal area, for example the HR department, they can explain the request or they can give advice that can be understood by non-legal teams. Moreover, D&B deliver their works in due time to be reviewed / approved from the point of view of the client’s commercial policy and they maintain a professional working environment.”
- “Ioana Cercel – Managing Associate – I appreciate that Ioana is very pragmatic and also informs me about the estimation of the chances of losing the litigation, in case the case is not solid. Unlike other competitors, she gives us a clear and balanced picture of the strengths we have but also of the weaknesses in labor disputes. She is very organized, has well-structured works and respects the deadline.”
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA made strong inroads into the market through its absorption of the energy boutique Pachiu & Associates, including partner Laurentiu Pachiu and well-regarded consultants Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu. The new arrivals add depth to an energy practice, where managing partner Sorin David and corporate partner Anda Rojanschi also have strong experience. The group now provides a full service offering, encompassing transactional, infrastructure, regulatory and tax issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team has an extensive and in-depth knowledge and experience in the energy sector in Romania. It provides thorough information at once and full support. The team is very responsive. The cost estimates and billings are correct.”
- “Key strengths and capabilities are: Extremely knowledgeable of the Energy Market in Romania, including applicable law and regulations. In-house expertise on various specialist topics. Very well connected with official organizations in the energy industry in Romania, as well as the private sector, including investors.”
- “The firm seems to have a strong focus on innovations in people and technology. It has an easy and user friendly system of organising online meetings, even with large groups, and connecting to our team of attorneys by electronic means is very simple and a straightforward process.”
- “Professional, creative, pro-active and solution oriented: a true partner in all business dealings. Reliable, flexible, pleasant and professional co-operation, quick response times and excellent availability.”
- “We have been working with Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu for many years and have been accompanied through many regulatory changes. They respond within a short term, answer questions completely and handle all topics to our full satisfaction.”
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION TIER 4
D&B David si Baias SCA has a strong transactional offering, regularly advising on the real estate aspects of major corporate acquisitions, as well as the corporate structuring of property investments and joint ventures. The firm’s membership of the PwC network also gives it a significant edge on the tax side, as well as related financings and regulatory issues.
Managing associate Georgiana Balan leads the practice, which has strong involvement from managing partner Sorin David and corporate head Anda Rojanschi.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team is composed by lawyers with awareness of the legal and business environment. We have been working mainly with Georgiana Balan. Georgiana has been very motivated and responsive and has offered solutions whenever necessary.”
- “A very competitive team, with very good communication from the team members with the client and a strong understanding of the client’s needs.”
Legal 500
EU AND COMPETITION – TIER 1
The depth of the team D&B David si Baias SCA is a major plus, not just in terms of associates such as Lucian Bozian, who attracts huge client praise, but also in the presence of managing partner Sorin David who remains a leading figure in the market. The versatile practice covers the full range of issues, including antitrust and unfair competition claims on the contentious side, and merger clearance and compliance training on the advisory front.
Sorin David – Leading individuals
Lucian Bozian – Rising stars
Clients Testimonials:
- “We were extremely pleased with their expertise and know-how in EU Funds/ State aid and Competition and built a strong relationship from then onward.”
- “Very professional attitude, good understanding of client’s objectives, hands-on approach, clear and structured legal opinions, first-class defence of client’s interests.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients.”
- “They provided seamless advice on our daily business and performed several compliance tasks on competition issues.”
- “Sorin David is one of the best known lawyers in the market.”
- “Lucian Bozian, was always available for our needs and we received valuable help and advice every time it was necessary. His commitment and great knowledge on complex matters was always treasured by us. Lucian Bozian has a past experience as a competition inspector, which enables him to provide practical insight into the authority’s way of handling investigations. He also has a strong hold of our business and understands the intricacies of the market.”
TAX – TIER 1
D&B David si Baias SCA has a top-notch reputation for contentious and non-contentious tax advice, and related administrative and white collar crime proceedings. The firm regularly represents clients before the regulatory authorities, and provides strong corporate support on M&As, financings, real estate deals and restructurings. Other areas of strength include VAT, transfer pricing, social contributions, excise duty and environmental tax. The firm’s membership of the PwC network makes it popular with clients seeking a one-stop-shop.
Tax litigation head Dan Dascălu, Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian are highly recommended for disputes. Sorin David and Anda Rojanschi are active on the advisory side.
Dan Dascălu – Leading individuals
Ana-Maria Iordache – Next Generation Partners
Clients Testimonials:
- “D&B David si Baias SCA are a great team and we trusted them with our tax litigation.”
- “In our opinion, Dan Dascalu is the best Romanian lawyer specialised in tax litigation, with extensive knowledge and experience in tax matters.”
- “The tax team is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to choosing the best possible lawyers in this domain. They can handle even the most difficult and complex cases, due to their exceptional technical skills doubled by the most practical approach.”
- “They are always available, even in short notice, and when you work in a fast changing industry you learn to appreciate this. I usually need answers yesterday, because this is how things work, so I know that I’ll get it when I ask D&B. We’ve worked together for so long they understand the business, so I don’t need to prepare pages of business understanding for them; I just ask the question.”
- “Puts its clients first and focuses on providing extraordinary service to those clients. Stability of representation team.”
- “Responsive lawyers who ask great questions and actively listen to answers.”
- “They have that connection to the reality that is given by years of practice, I guess – they provide a straightforward answer, not an open one. As a practitioner in the industry I do not need an array of possibilities to choose from, but a yes/no answer. Dan Dascalu and Ana Maria Iordache are remarkable to me.”
- “Dan Dascalu, being both a very persuasive practitioner and also an exceptional theorist, is definitely one of the best advocates to which anyone can entrust in full confidence even the most sensitive cases. He is a proficient lawyer, coordinating a team of genuinely professional individuals, of which I would mention Mihail Boian as a young lawyer on the rise.”
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA offers an all-embracing corporate practice that is as comfortable on the transactional side as it is on day-to-day matters. The one-stop-shop nature of its offering is cemented by its membership of the PwC network, and clients appreciate having the ability to access the full range of services.
Highly rated partner Anda Rojanschi leads the team alongside managing partner Sorin David. Clients include major multinationals, entrepreneurs and investors, and the firm is especially active in the healthcare sector.
Clients Testimonials:
- “A highly dedicated team with many years of M&A experience proven by several completed deals. The legal team benefits from the association with PwC (easy to assemble cross-disciplinary teams with financial, tax, corporate finance experts).”
- “Anda Rojanschi is a seasoned lawyer with strong M&A experience gained in several successfully closed transactions. She has the ability to smoothly convey her knowledge to the client achieving effective results in time-pressured situations.”
DISPUTE RESOLUTION TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA fields a strong team of litigation experts with experience across a range of disciplines. Tax disputes feature high on the agenda, but the firm also handles claims linked to heavily-regulated industries such as telecoms, as well as broader commercial, real estate, employment, banking and insolvency related disputes.
The versatile Dan Dascălu leads the team, which includes tax and administrative litigation expert Ana-Maria Iordache and Mihail Boian. Managing partner Sorin David is also highly experienced in this area.
Clients Testimonials:
- “We have been collaborating with D&B for many years within a sensitive and complex case; have a relationship based on trust, given the quality of legal opinions, the promptness of their submission, and considering our needs as clients.”
- “The capability of the team to handle difficult and complex litigations puts them to the top of practitioners in the dispute resolution area. They hold impressive skills in managing tax, competition, and administrative proceedings.”
- “I totally recommend Sorin David and Ovidiu Bold as very professional, rigorous, innovative lawyers.”
- “Sorin David is a really prestigious professional who can be trusted with the most sensitive competition cases, as he holds great experience and extensive knowledge in competition matters. Dan Dascalu is widely known for managing tax and administrative disputes on the highest possible standard, combining a very strong know how with the eloquence of a brilliant barrister.”
EMPLOYMENT TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA has a solid team led by partner Dan Dascălu, who divides his time between tax and employment law. The practice also contains several specialised associates who come highly recommended by clients, including Ioana Cercel. The practice is especially strong on the employment aspects of complex restructuring projects and business transfers. More recently it has been active on the litigation front and advised clients on COVID-19 related issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “Very professional team, responsive and supportive. Pro active approach from their side, flexible and customer oriented.”
- “D&B David & Baias communicates very effectively with the client’s internal teams, even if they are not people from the legal department. D&B team members are talking in the same language, more precisely if they are working with teams outside from the legal area, for example the HR department, they can explain the request or they can give advice that can be understood by non-legal teams. Moreover, D&B deliver their works in due time to be reviewed / approved from the point of view of the client’s commercial policy and they maintain a professional working environment.”
- “Ioana Cercel – Managing Associate – I appreciate that Ioana is very pragmatic and also informs me about the estimation of the chances of losing the litigation, in case the case is not solid. Unlike other competitors, she gives us a clear and balanced picture of the strengths we have but also of the weaknesses in labor disputes. She is very organized, has well-structured works and respects the deadline.”
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES TIER 3
D&B David si Baias SCA made strong inroads into the market through its absorption of the energy boutique Pachiu & Associates, including partner Laurentiu Pachiu and well-regarded consultants Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu. The new arrivals add depth to an energy practice, where managing partner Sorin David and corporate partner Anda Rojanschi also have strong experience. The group now provides a full service offering, encompassing transactional, infrastructure, regulatory and tax issues.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team has an extensive and in-depth knowledge and experience in the energy sector in Romania. It provides thorough information at once and full support. The team is very responsive. The cost estimates and billings are correct.”
- “Key strengths and capabilities are: Extremely knowledgeable of the Energy Market in Romania, including applicable law and regulations. In-house expertise on various specialist topics. Very well connected with official organizations in the energy industry in Romania, as well as the private sector, including investors.”
- “The firm seems to have a strong focus on innovations in people and technology. It has an easy and user friendly system of organising online meetings, even with large groups, and connecting to our team of attorneys by electronic means is very simple and a straightforward process.”
- “Professional, creative, pro-active and solution oriented: a true partner in all business dealings. Reliable, flexible, pleasant and professional co-operation, quick response times and excellent availability.”
- “We have been working with Marius Nita and Delia Pachiu for many years and have been accompanied through many regulatory changes. They respond within a short term, answer questions completely and handle all topics to our full satisfaction.”
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION TIER 4
D&B David si Baias SCA has a strong transactional offering, regularly advising on the real estate aspects of major corporate acquisitions, as well as the corporate structuring of property investments and joint ventures. The firm’s membership of the PwC network also gives it a significant edge on the tax side, as well as related financings and regulatory issues.
Managing associate Georgiana Balan leads the practice, which has strong involvement from managing partner Sorin David and corporate head Anda Rojanschi.
Clients Testimonials:
- “The team is composed by lawyers with awareness of the legal and business environment. We have been working mainly with Georgiana Balan. Georgiana has been very motivated and responsive and has offered solutions whenever necessary.”
- “A very competitive team, with very good communication from the team members with the client and a strong understanding of the client’s needs.”