In The Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. In the dynamic landscape of modern businesses, where adaptability and innovation are paramount, this time around we asked GCs: What is the one critical skill that you’re investing time and energy in to develop within your team, and why?
Inside Insight: Mirza Kahvedzic of EOS Matrix Bosnia and Herzegovina
EOS Matrix Bosnia and Herzegovina Executive Director for Legal Affairs Mirza Kahvedzic discusses his career path leading up to his current role, how his legal team operates, and current challenges faced due to slow court proceedings.
Inside Insight: Richard Bacek of Siemens
Siemens General Counsel for the Czech Republic and Slovakia Richard Bacek talks about his transition from law firms to in-house and ongoing challenges including navigating new legislation, such as cybersecurity regulations.
Inside Insight: Sandor Zorad of MET Group
After eight years with the MET Group, Legal Director Sandor Zorad reflects on the company’s path to international expansion.
Inside Insight: Marcela Augustinic of DM Drogerie Markt
With a background in international law firms, Marcela Augustinic transitioned to become the first general counsel at DM Drogerie Markt in Slovakia, where she has been serving for the last eight years. Augustinic shares her strategies for balancing internal and external legal resources to tackle emerging regulatory challenges and drive sustainable growth in the ever-evolving market.
Inside Insight: Interview with Veselka Petrova of Yazaki
From her beginnings as an M&A attorney in Bulgaria to her current role as Regional Compliance Manager for Eastern Europe at Yazaki, Veselka Petrova’s career has been a testament to the power of blending legal expertise with strategic business insight.
The Inside Track: In-House Legal Budgets 2024
In The Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. Since now is the time when plans for next year are made (and budgeted for) this time we asked GCs: Is your in-house legal function’s budget increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same in 2024?
Inside Insight: Interview with Tomislav Pifar of Infobip
Infobip General Counsel Tomislav Pifar first joined the company in 2011 and has been a witness to the company’s remarkable growth over the past 12 years. In reflecting on his journey, he explores the evolution of in-house legal work and international exposure, placing a particular emphasis on the transformative impact of AI on daily operations.
Inside Insight: Interview with Kamila Dutkowska-Wawrzak of Panattoni
Panattoni Legal Director Kamila Dutkowska-Wawrzak talks about her background and in-house transition, building up the in-house legal team, and their current workload.
Inside Insight: Interview with Bige Yucel of Siemens
Siemens Turkiye Lead Country General Counsel Bige Yucel talks about her in-house legal team’s current and upcoming focuses.
Deal 5: FInCause Founder Waylon Yeh on Obtaining Electronic Money Institution License
On March 17, CEE Legal Matters reported that Adon Legal has advised Taiwanese capital company FinCause on obtaining an electronic money institution license from the Bank of Lithuania. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Waylon Yeh FinCause Founder and Member of the Management Board to learn more about the matter.
Deal 5: Fifth Quarter Ventures General Partner Pedja Predin on Becoming an Alternative Investment Fund in Serbia
On May 2, CEE Legal Matters reported that Zivkovic Samardzic has advised Fifth Quarter Ventures on the legal process for becoming an alternative investment fund in Serbia. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Pedja Predin, Co-Founder & General Partner at Fifth Quarter Ventures, to learn more about the matter.
Deal 5: Everfield Head of Acquisitions Henning Schreiber on Blue Bridge Technologies Acquisitions
On November 23, CEE Legal Matters reported that Cobalt had advised BaltCap Latvia Venture Capital Fund and funds managed by Imprimatur Capital, together with other shareholders, on the sale of Blue Bridge Technologies to Everfield. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Henning Schreiber, Head of Acquisitions at Everfield, to learn more about the acquisition.
Deal 5: INPP CEO Audrius Kamienas on Nuclear Reactor Dismantling Project Tender
On February 3, CEE Legal Matters reported that Walless had advised the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant on a project tender for reactor dismantling technology design services. CEE In-House Matters spoke with INPP CEO, Audrius Kamienas to learn more about the matter.
Deal 5: Erste Group Executive Director on Financing and PPA for Krivaca Wind Farm
On February 16, CEE Legal Matters reported that Dentons had advised a banking consortium on their EUR 155 million financing for the 103.3-megawatt Krivaca wind farm project co-owned by Serbia’s MK Group and Slovenia’s ALFI Green Energy Fund. The lending consortium consisted of Erste Group Bank, Erste Bank Novi Sad, and other banks. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Ladislav Tolmaci, Executive Director at Erste Bank, to learn more about the financing.
Deal 5: Omnia Chief Evangelist Matei Ladea on Dumagas Acquisition from Bancroft
On March 3, CEE Legal Matters reported that BPV Grigorescu Stefanica has advised Omnia Capital on its acquisition of Dumagas from Bancroft. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Matei Ladea, Chief Evangelist at Omnia, to learn more about the acquisition.
Deal 5: MFG Director of Strategic Projects Ivelina Kavurska on Obtaining an Insurance License
On February 21, CEE Legal Matters reported that Tokushev & Partners and Musseva & Ivanov had helped MFG Ins obtain an insurance license from the Financial Supervision Commission of Bulgaria. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Ivelina Kavurska, Director of Strategic Projects and a member of the Management Board of MFG, to learn more about the matter.
Deal 5: Svetlik Family Office Co-Founder & CEO Gasper Svetlik on Exit from H&R to Spain's Gonvarri
On January 18, CEE Legal Matters reported that Fatur Menard had advised the Svetlik family on the sale of their 42% stake in Hidria owner H&R to Spanish corporation Gonvarri. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Gasper Svetlik, Co-Founder and CEO at Svetlik Family Office, to learn more about the matter.