Legal 500 Top Tier 2023
Tax – Tier 1
Biris Goran SPARL has a leading reputation for handling the full spread of contentious and non-contentious tax matters. Clients range from major financial institutions through to small and medium-sized enterprises operating across a wide range of industries, including construction, energy, pharmaceuticals and retail. The litigation side of the practice has recently been involved in several market-defining disputes, with key representations of Banca Comercială Româna and Distribuție Energie Electrică among the cases setting the agenda. Founding partner Gabriel Biriș and Mihai Nușcă are two of the firm’s lead litigators. The firm also has a tax consulting arm which focuses on advisory matters, including the tax implications of M&A and business restructurings; Ruxandra Jianu is the main contact on this side.
Leading Individuals:
Gabriel Biriș
Ruxandra Jianu
Practice heads: Gabriel Biriș; Ruxandra Jianu
Other key lawyers:
Mihai Nușcă
EU and competition – Tier 2
Biris Goran SPARL has a strong track record for cartel cases and related investigations, and has recently achieved successful outcomes in these areas for clients operating in the financial services, agribusiness and pharmaceuticals sectors. Merger clearance work and day-to-day compliance and training are also key areas of expertise. Practice head Gelu Goran is commended for his ‘good contact with the Romanian competition regulator‘. Senior associate Răzvan Bardicea is also singled out for praise by clients.
Leading Individuals: Gelu Goran
Rising stars: Răzvan Bardicea
Practice head: Gelu Goran
Other key lawyers: Răzvan Bardicea
Testimonials:
‘Gelu Goran works well with international clients, having had international experience himself. He cuts to to the chase and has a good feel for client sensitivities. He has good contact with the Romanian competition regulator.’
‘The offer business-oriented advice and they always come with practical solutions. They are a very reliable partner, they are always reacting in a timely manner and they have a deep understanding of the client’s needs, which, together with their strong legal knowledge, leads to the most suitable solutions.’
‘The individuals have very strong and sound understanding of the law and, at the same time, are creative and provide practical legal solutions, while remaining in the legal framework. They are very collaborative and prompt in reaction.’
‘We would like to mention Gelu Goran and Răzvan Bardicea, who have both provided legal advice with a very deep understanding of the company’s business model and policies and worked as real business partners.’
‘Deep analysis combined with a very pro-business approach, good understanding of business needs.’
‘Gelu Goran and Răzvan Bardicea, both offering a very good analysis, flexible and trustworthy, prompt reaction.’
‘Overall the expertise of the team exceeded expectations. The reaction time and the delivery speed of the team was also impressive when a short deadline was crucial.’
‘Gelu Goran is taking active part in the discussions, delivery and project management which is a trust factor in most cases.’
Real estate and construction – Tier 2
Biris Goran SPARL fields a ‘young and dynamic team‘ in which each practitioner ‘has great knowledge of the field‘. The firm advises on acquisitions, sales and development projects across all asset classes, including office buildings, residential, retail, industrial and logistics spaces, and agribusiness. Daniela Lazea jointly leads the team with Sorin Aungurenci; the latter is ‘very efficient, smart and applies perfectly his knowledge on specific, even technical issues in contracts‘. Mariana Signeanu is the key name for real estate financing issues.
Rising Stars:
Mariana Signeanu
Practice heads:
Daniela Lazea; Sorin Aungurenci
Testimonials:
‘Biris Goran has left me with a great impression of professionalism and promptness, they have a young and dynamic team, very motivated, driven, well-prepared and highly intelligent, solution-oriented.’
‘Each team member we have worked with has great knowledge of the field and had been able to work independently with the client.’
‘ Sorin Aungurenci – for his real estate and construction knowledge. He is very efficient, smart and applies perfectly his knowledge on specific, even technical issues in contracts. Great help in complex negotiations, for his calm and smart approach. Good communication skills to be able to understand what are the client’s targets. Working to find a way to accommodate these intentions in the legal documents. He has proven clear judgement, balance and remarkable power of synthesis.’
Commercial, Corporate and M&A – Tier 3
Biris Goran SPARL‘s clients operate across multiple industries, including retail, fashion, hospitality, energy, financial services, telecoms and private equity. The firm’s strong tax and regulatory capabilities regularly come to the fore when structuring multijurisdictional transactions. Teodora Moțatu leads the team, who ‘has a lot of experience in cross-border deals and understands the specifics of the Romanian market‘. Clients also single out founding partner Gelu Goran, who is particularly strong on the competition side.
Practice heads:
Teodora Moțatu
Testimonials:
‘The corporate and M&A practice group of Biris Goran delivers concise legal advice, always on time and they understand the Romanian market and our clients’ business needs. They are quick, reliable and pay attention to details as well.’
‘Gelu Goran is very business minded and provides clear legal advice. Teodora Moțatu has a lot of experience in cross-border deals and understands the specifics of the Romanian market.’
Dispute resolution – Tier 4
For the team at Biris Goran SPARL, administrative disputes are a major strong point, with the firm regularly involved in high-profile tax and competition claims. Clients come from across a wide range of sectors, including consumer goods, real estate, telecoms, energy, transport and cosmetics. Practice head Mihai Nușcă has 20 years’ industry experience and is praised for his ‘great ability to innovate‘. Senior associate Raluca Rusu-Oană is also noted.
Practice head:
Mihai Nușcă
Other key lawyers:
Raluca Rusu-Oană
Testimonials:
‘Outstanding knowledge and experience; excellent communication; excellent ability to follow and timely deliver the work.’
‘Mihai Nușcă: great ability to identify creative solutions and to adapt or change strategy as the case requires, outstanding knowledge of legal procedure, great ability to innovate.’
‘Raluca Rusu-Oană: excellent work and availability.’
