The Bank of Albania has introduced a new regulatory framework on marketing and advertising by financial institutions, significantly enhancing consumer protection and transparency in the financial sector. The changes, enacted through Decision No. 11, dated 5 February 2025, amend the Regulation “On Transparency for Banking and Financial Products and Services” and enter into force on 1 May 2025.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019, takes effect on June 28, 2025. The Act requires a wide range of products and services – such as consumer electronics, vending machines, websites, and mobile apps – to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

I still vividly remember the sunny September day when, as a young lawyer, I arrived in Prague. I was joining a US law firm that had just opened offices in the old city. Its immense beauty, at that time still unknown but immediately close to me, was captivating.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Austria continues to experience a wave of significant insolvencies, stretching court resources and prompting comparisons to past recessions. Recent legal frameworks have introduced new possibilities for restructuring, though so far with limited uptake. Taylor Wessing Counsel & Head of Insolvency Andreas Howadt examines both the immediate pressures – rising liabilities, high-profile failures, and logistical strains – and the evolving legal environment looking ahead to 2025.

Contributed by Arzinger

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is experiencing a notable shift in its investment climate, marked by a rise in foreign direct investment and a more dynamic economic landscape, according to Maric & Co Managing Partner Nebojsa Maric. While the country’s complex political system and heavy regulatory environment have historically made investors cautious, the interest in the areas of manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure is growing.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

In recent years, Bulgaria has increasingly prioritized the development of energy storage infrastructure as part of its broader transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. With growing renewable energy capacity, particularly from solar and wind sources, the need for efficient storage solutions has become critical to balancing supply and demand.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

If you have received a Cease and Desist (C&D) letter, it usually means that you have violated someone else’s intellectual property rights. However, this may not necessarily be the case if you are doing business in Croatia.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Dentons has advised Segro European Logistics Partnership on its acquisition of a fully-leased logistics park located in Sazava, near Prague, from UDI Group.

After a decade of economic challenges, Greece’s real estate market is thriving, fueled by a tourism boom and strong foreign investment. With property prices still below pre-crisis levels and a growing focus on sustainability, PPT Legal Partner Alexandra Mitsokali and Moussas & Partners Senior Partner Loukia Papachatzi explore the sector’s revival.

Since its initial launch in 2013, Greece’s Golden Visa program has proven to be one of Europe’s most enduring residency-by-investment initiatives. Over the years, it has continuously adapted to shifting economic conditions, investment landscapes, and EU-level scrutiny. Drakopoulos Senior Associate and Head of Immigration Angie Alevizou takes a closer look at its evolution, outcomes, potential future changes, legal challenges, and competitiveness going forward.

With nearly three decades of experience in the legal and technology sectors, Space Hellas General Counsel Konstantinos Argyropoulos reflects on his journey as an international lawyer, from studying law in Athens, Paris II, and Harvard to leading the legal team of a multinational tech company.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Kinstellar has advised BYD on its acquisition of the IP West office building in Budapest from CA Immo. Cerha Hempel advised CA Immo.

Sorainen has advised SafePAS on a EUR 700,000  investment round that saw the participation of Securetec Detektions-Systeme, the Estonian Business Angels Network, PurposeTech, BSV Ventures, and the Beamline Accelerator.

Cautious optimism defines the current mood in Estonia, as the country navigates modest economic growth alongside persistent geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, according to Ellex Partner Gerli Kivisoo, who reports subdued investor activity, ongoing tax debates, capital market shifts, and a growing M&A pipeline that suggests momentum may be gradually returning.

Pohla & Hallmagi, working with Wikborg Rein, has advised Marine Energy Solutions on its acquisition of the PRIME oil tanker. Reed Smith reportedly advised the unidentified sellers.

Kosovo is in political limbo after the February elections, with stalled government formation affecting key decisions, according to Ardian Rexha, an Attorney at Law associated with Deloitte Kosova. At the same time, energy reforms and price hikes by the regulator are causing strong reactions from businesses and the public.

Kosovo is accelerating its energy transition, SEPA integration, and corporate transparency, aligning with EU standards to boost investment, competition, and economic stability, according to Nallbani Law Office Managing Partner Delvina Nallbani.

On the evening of April 1, 2025, the Deal of the Year Awards Banquet brought together, under the same roof, over 200 top-tier lawyers from Central and Eastern Europe's leading law firms and General Counsel from across the region in Prague.

Latvia is seeing a rise in disputes and public infrastructure work, according to Klauberg Baltics Managing Partner Theis Klauberg. At the same time, corporate activity is slowing, as regional and global uncertainties reshape priorities for both firms and clients.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

Ellex has advised FIFAA Latvija on its acquisition of the concept store and online retailer Bang Bang Shop & Coffee from RB Projekts.

Lithuania’s government has been active in constantly improving the business environment from a legal and tax perspective during the past several years, according to Triniti Partner Giedre Ciuladiene. With the recent change of the government in 2024, adjustments are expected in investment and tax policies, with potential effects on private equity, venture capital, stock options, and legal work around restructuring and deals.

Walless has advised Milgard Capital on obtaining a license from the Bank of Lithuania to operate as a manager of Collective Investment Undertakings for informed investors.

Widen, working with Mason Hayes & Curran, has advised Stp.One on its acquisition of Amberlo. Noor advised the selling shareholders of Amberlo.

Starting from 29 May 2025 a new Energy Law starts to apply in North Macedonia. This new regulatory framework serves for transposition of the Clean Energy Package into the national legislation and introducing major novelties, such as new development process for energy generation and storage capacities, integration of e-mobility to the electricity grid, additional possibilities for development of natural gas and heating networks, etc.

On 14 May 2025, significant changes were made to North Macedonia’s personal data protection legislation. The Assembly of the Republic passed an amendment to expand the nations where personal data can be shared freely, without facing third-country transfer restrictions.

The institute of settlement, within the scope of misdemeanors, was introduced into Macedonian legislation by the Misdemeanor Act in 2019. In the context of overburdened courts, all mechanisms that facilitate judicial processes are more than welcome.

On 22 April 2025, Law No. 66/2025 on combating delayed performance of payment obligations in contracts between professionals or between professionals and public authorities was published ("Law No. 66").

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019, takes effect on June 28, 2025. The Act requires a wide range of products and services – such as consumer electronics, vending machines, websites, and mobile apps – to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

PPPs represent a long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors, enabling more efficient construction, maintenance, and management of infrastructure, with an optimal distribution of risks and financial obligations.

The Draft Law on Mediation in the Sale and Lease of Real Estate, following public consultation in the summer of 2023, is expected to be submitted to Parliament for adoption shortly.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

Allen Overy Shearman Sterling and CMS have advised Equinor and Polenergia on securing over EUR 6 billion in project financing for the development of the Baltyk 2 and Baltyk 3 offshore wind farms in Poland. The financing was provided by a syndicate of approximately 30 financial institutions, including the Nordic Investment Bank, the European Investment Bank, Euler Hermes, KUKE, and BGK. Clifford Chance advised the financing institutions.

Greenberg Traurig has advised insurance companies from the Uniqa Group on long-term cooperation agreements with mBank, covering the exclusive distribution of insurance products. DWF advised mBank.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

Filip & Company, working with lead counsel Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, has advised Apax Partners on its proposed acquisition of Finastra’s Treasury and Capital Markets division. 

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

A critical preparatory step towards wind farm development in the Black Sea was taken on 16 May 2025, with the Ministry of Energy’s call for Expressions of Interest to prepare a specialized study identifying the Black Sea offshore zones suitable for wind farm development. The study is envisioned under Law 121/2024 on Offshore Wind Energy, a key component of Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Contributed by Clifford Chance.

Contributed by Alrud.

The commercial legal markets of Central & Eastern Europe didn’t appear automatically. They didn’t develop in a vacuum. They were formed, shaped, and led, by lawyers – visionary, hard-working, commercially-minded, and client-focused individuals pulling the development of CEE’s legal markets along behind them as they labored relentlessly for their clients, their careers, their futures. 

Former BD2P Partner Marija Bojovic has established the full-service commercial law firm Bojovic Attorneys at Law in Belgrade.

The data subject has the right to access the data processed by the controller about them, a right guaranteed by both the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) of April 14, 2016, which came into force on May 25, 2018, and the Law on Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Serbia.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

According to a preliminary legislative notice issued by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic and published on 15 May 2025, the Ministry is preparing a draft law on pay transparency.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

Permitting of any projects is a long-standing problem in the Slovak Republic. It seemed that this problem would largely be solved by the new construction legislation that was approved in 2022 and was supposed to enter into force fully on April 1, 2024.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is currently witnessing a substantial increase in the development of Class A office spaces. Over the next three years, the city is set to introduce more than 100,000 square meters of new Class A office spaces. These developments are characterized by modern designs and a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to achieve energy certifications that are crucial for ESG compliance.

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019, takes effect on June 28, 2025. The Act requires a wide range of products and services – such as consumer electronics, vending machines, websites, and mobile apps – to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

Former Merzigo Senior Vice President Ceyda Sila Cetinkaya has become the company's new Chief Operating Officer.

Egemenoglu has advised on the sale of Profesyonel Personel Hizmetleri Ticaret Anonim Sirketi to Global Energy Services Alliance. Aydin & Aydin reportedly advised the buyers.

Kutadgu & Arsi has advised Pacifistar Logistics Group on establishing the Star Concord Turkey Lojistik joint venture with Consol Management.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. This time around, we asked: For 2025, what is the one sector or industry in the country that shows the most promise for growth, and why?

The year 2025 is poised to mark a significant legislative update in Ukraine’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework, representing a critical strategic approach to the country’s comprehensive post-war reconstruction efforts. The government, Parliament, and key stakeholders are actively preparing for an extensive rebuilding effort focused on infrastructure damaged during military hostilities. This process will rely on support from the European Union, the United States, international financial institutions, and other major donors.

On 1 April 2025, Resolution of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine (“Commission”) No. 28/21/1933/K03 dated 6 March 2025 (“Resolution”) entered into force. The Resolution establishes a new procedure for the disclosure of regulated information by securities issuers during martial law.