With preparations for the 2024 CEE Legal Matters Hungary General Counsel Summit in full swing, Peter Virag, the Head of Antitrust, Competition, and Trade at Oppenheim, shares his thoughts about the upcoming event and what he's looking forward to as both a moderator and participant.
The Corner Office: Onboarding Clients
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With managing firm clients being a critical aspect of firms’ operations, we asked: What are the three most important elements when onboarding a new client?
Increased Competition Fine Cap from 1 August 2024
As of 1 August 2024, the maximum amount of the fine that can be imposed by the Hungarian Competition Authority (“HCA”) will increase from 13% to 15% during the state of war emergency.
Oppenheim Advises Audi Hungaria on Photovoltaic Power Plant Development
Oppenheim has advised Audi Hungaria on the tendering procedures, negotiations, and EPC and PPA agreements related to its photovoltaic power sources.
The Corner Office: Skills of Tomorrow
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Given the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the legal profession, we asked: What is the one critical skill that you’re investing time and energy in to develop within your team, and why?
Wolf Theiss and DLA Piper Advise on Sale of Fundamenta-Lakaskassza to MBH Bank
Wolf Theiss, working with Gleiss Lutz, has advised Bausparkasse Schwaebisch Hall, Wuestenrot & Wuerttembergische, and Bausparkasse Wuestenrot on their sale of a 76.35% participation in Fundamenta-Lakaskassza to MBH Bank. DLA Piper advised MBH Bank.
Kinstellar Advises Nestle on Sale of Hungarian Chocolate Brand Boci to Cerbona
Kinstellar has advised Nestle on its sale of the Boci Hungarian chocolate brand to Hungary's Cerbona. Oppenheim reportedly advised Cerbona.
Oppenheim and Kinstellar Advise on Sale of Majority Stake in Carussel to Genesis Capital
Oppenheim has advised Carussel on the sale of a majority stake in the company to Genesis Capital, on the related agreement regulating their future business cooperation, and on the partial bank financing for the transaction. Kinstellar advised the Genesis Growth Fund I on the purchase.
In It for the Long Haul: An Interview with David Hanis of Oppenheim
David Hanis joined Oppenheim in Budapest to specialize in energy fresh out of law school, and has never looked back. 15 years later, just before Christmas 2023, CEE Legal Matters reported on his appointment to a Partner position at the same firm. Demonstrating you can move forward by staying in the same place, he shares his story below.
Peter Virag Joins Oppenheim To Lead Competition Team
Oppenheim has recently announced the appointment of Peter Virag – formerly of DLA Piper – as Head of its Antitrust, Competition, and Trade team.
The Corner Office: Budget, Budget, Budget
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. With 2023 marching to an end, we looked ahead and asked about strategies for next year: As the budgeting period is around the corner, compared to 2023, what are the main budgeting lines you expect to increase for 2024 and why?
David Hanis Makes Partner at Oppenheim
David Hanis has been appointed as a new Partner with Oppenheim.
Oppenheim and Schoenherr Advise on CMC and CPIH Acquisition of PV Project from ID Energy Group
Oppenheim has advised the China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation and China Power International Holding on the acquisition of a project company developing a photovoltaic project with an installed capacity of 53.9 megawatts in Tiszafured, Hungary. Schoenherr advised the ID Energy Group on the sale.
The Corner Office: Balancing the Books – Overdue Bills and Unpaid Invoices
In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Shifting our focus to the financial aspects of legal work, we asked: What percentage of your issued bills end up being overdue, what percentage end up never paid, and what is your firm’s/office’s standard methodology to handle both cases?
Wardynski & Partners Advises Bauer Media Group on Merger of OCP Business with Netrisk Group
Wardynski & Partners, working with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has advised the Bauer Media Group on the merger of its online comparison platform business with that of the Netrisk Group.
Guest Editorial: The First (?) Victim
Not even half a year has passed since ChatGPT’s AI-supported chatbot started its public career in the online space and we have already heard of the first (?) lawyer who got in trouble in court for using AI to do background research. For those who missed the story, the chatbot “created” some fake case law examples, and upon several follow-up questions, the AI even confirmed that the cases were real. The references to these cases were then submitted to a US court where it quickly became clear that the cases never existed. Apart from the procedural problems this caused for the lawyer involved, this was an eye-opener for many in the legal industry.
Oppenheim Advises Colliers on New Headquarters Lease in Budapest's Bem Center
Oppenheim has advised Colliers on the lease agreement for its new Budapest headquarters in the Bem Center building located in the city's first district.
Zsolt Farkas Makes Partner at Oppenheim
Zsolt Farkas has been appointed a Partner in Oppenheim's Dispute Resolution group in Budapest.