(source: Marko Erd, SME)
Advisory on refinancing of existing loans, taken by leading businesses to fund their acquisitions or further growth, is mentioned in most references provided by the largest law firms in Slovakia that are active in the Banking and Finance sector.
The top ranks in the Largest Law Firms ranking in this category, compiled by The Slovak Spectator and the Sme daily, did not change much compared to previous editions. As in previous years, the law firm Allen & Overy dominates the ranking.
In the latest ranking, each law firm was allowed to submit only one reference. Out of the 10 largest law firms in Slovakia, three did not submit references. They included CMS Slovakia; Malata, Pružinský, Hegedüš & Partners; and Ružička and Partners.
Banking & Finance: 10 largest law firms
Allen & Overy
Dentons Europe CS LLP
BBH
Aldertree legal
Malata, Pružinský, Hegedüš & Partners
Kinstellar
CMS Slovakia
Advokátska kancelária RELEVANS
RUŽIČKA AND PARTNERS
Hillbridges
* ranking created based on the following criteria (values for 2021): number of banking & finance deals with regard to reward law firm received for them (70% weight); sales revenues (10% weight); number of attorneys (10% weight); number of associates practicing > 3 years (6% weight); number of associates practicing < 3 years (4% weight)
The financing of Aupark and Eurovea II
Allen & Overy referenced its advisory on the refinancing of a record transaction on the Slovak real estate market – the sale of Bratislava’s Aupark shopping centre. The complex was bought by investment firm Wood & Company for a total of €450 million. The transaction was announced in late 2020 and advisory was completed in the second quarter of 2022. Allen & Overy provided advisory to a group of banks led by Erste Group Bank AG, said counsel Matúš Kudlák.
The Relevans law firm also referenced a deal related to financing of real estate. It represented the Eurovea 2 company, which belongs to the portfolio of J&T Real Estate (JTRE), in the financing of the ongoing construction of the second phase of the Eurovea shopping centre and the Pribinova X office building. Part of the project is Slovakia’s first skyscraper, the 168-metre high Eurovea Tower. The financing amounts to €116 million. The counterparty – a syndicate of banks led by Tatra Banka – was represented by the Dentons law firm, which referenced the deal in the previous edition of the ranking.
