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Chambers Global 2008

“The Firm: A local firm with an international flavour, this outfit “makes a difference” in the Serbian legal market. Firmly rooted in the local market but with two international lawyers aboard, it is considered by peers to be “a unique organisation.” Throughout the years the team has acted on numerous ground-breaking transactions; a recent milestone being the introduction of Citigroup in Belgrade, in which it advised the banking giant on establishing itself in Serbia. Hoping to tighten its relationship with financial institutions in the City, the firm has recently opened a representative office in London. Meanwhile closer to home, its lawyers acted for the Serbian Delta Group on a proposed cross-border joint venture with Croatian food producer Agrokor. The firm’s turf is not limited to Serbia and its lawyers can be found on M&A transactions, privatisations and banking and finance deals throughout the Balkans. In Montenegro, the team advised OTP on the acquisition of the local bank Crnogorska Komercijalna Banka.”

The Lawyers: According to interviewees, Mark Harrison “offers all one can ask for; he is a great businessman and very well connected.” “Young and bright” Aleksandar Preradovic is said to be “non-conflictive and eager to close a deal.”

Clients/Work Highlights: The firm also acts for real estate developer Trigranit and Hungarian MOL.

Chambers Global 2007

The Firm: “The performance of this firm nears perfection,” according to interviewees, many of whom say it is “the best outfit around.” The 12-lawyer team operates throughout the region, including in Republika Srpska, FYROM and Montenegro, advising on foreign investments and banking and finance transactions. “The service is up to the Western standards that international clients expect,” said one interviewee. Others praised the team’s “sound advice.” The firm boasts an impressive clientele of leading companies, including many in the energy and natural resources sectors. The team is acting for the Serbian government in the restructuring and privatisation of copper producer RTB Bor and acted for Italian plastic manufacturer R. Polimeri in the privatisation of chemicals producer Hipol.

The Lawyers: The “young and bright” Aleksandar Preradovic caught the eye of peers with his frequent representation of financial institutions. “His busy schedule reflects his excellence in banking and finance law,” according to observers. Clients say Goran Martinovic “is definitely a great lawyer, and one of the best in the firm.” He received recognition for his impressive track record acting in privatisations. Recently he has been active in mining and natural resources work. He represented Phelps Dodge in the allocation of a mining licence and provided mining-related advice to the Serbian state in relation to the restructuring of the copper industry. Up-and-comer Ines Matijevic was described by clients as “very open, straightforward and always eager to close the deal in a timely manner.” “Deal maker” Mark Harrison focuses primarily on managing the practice but is “still one of the best lawyers in Belgrade.” According to peers, “his experience gives him the ability to provide top-quality legal analysis.”

Clients/Work Highlights: The team represented TriGránit in its successful bid for the development of the Belgrade train station. Other clients include Rolls-Royce; British Aerospace; EBRD; IFC; European Investment Bank; ING Bank; Deutsche Bank; BP and Marangoni.

Chambers Global 2006

“The Firm: This firm attracts the most prominent clients and participates in many of the biggest domestic deals, according to commentators. In response to market trends, it has been focusing on work in the banking and real estate sectors and has been particularly active in Montenegro, where it has a well-established office. Referrals from leading foreign firms also make up a significant portion of the workload, owing mainly to the founding partner's long international experience, researchers were told.

The Lawyers: According to sources, Mark Harrison is regularly seen on the largest deals the market has to offer. Formerly at Linklaters and then head of Central and Eastern Europe at Eversheds, he has continued to consolidate his profile in the market since setting up a practice in Belgrade in 1997. After a spell at Prica & Spasic, Aleksandar Preradovic has recently returned to the firm and is expected to strengthen the banking practice. Ines Matijevic makes her first appearance in the table on the recommendation of market commentators. Her expertise lies in banking and finance, with a particular emphasis on the energy sector.

Clients/Work Highlights: The team advised Banca Intesa on the acquisition of Eksimbanka. Trigránit instructed the firm on the new Belgrade Railway Station, the largest real estate development in Serbia. It also advised Telekom Slovenija on the proposed acquisition of Telekom Crne Gore, the Montenegro state telephone company. Other important transactions include advising the Government of Serbia on a number of operations including the restructuring and subsequent sale of Sever, Subotica and Livnica Kikinda. Clients include: EBRD; US Steel; BAT; UniCredito Italiano; ING; ABN AMRO; Deutsche Bank; Citigroup; BP; Shell and CSFB.”

Chambers Global 2004-2005

The Firm: The firm was perceived to have solidified its market profile, having been the first independent foreign practice to open an office in Belgrade. It often attracts referrals from the world's leading law firms, and benefits from a well-established office in Podgorica. This enables the firm to understand the regional market, and consequently, win instructions such as exclusive legal adviser to the Government of Montenegro on the country's Privatisation Council and Tender Commission. The team also counselled BAT on the privatisation and purchase of the Serbian tobacco producer DIV.

The Lawyers: Mark Harrison regularly features in some of the biggest local deals. In one of the most significant investments in the country, he assisted US Steel on the purchase of Sartid, the Serbian steel producer, and its six subsidiaries.

The Clients: Government of Serbia; JC Décaux (France); EBRD; European Investment Bank; Heineken International; NIS (Serbian Oil Industry); Telecom Italia and Viacom.

Chambers Global 2003-2004

The Firm: This English firm is now "reaping the rewards of its patience and courage" during its pioneering establishment in the country. An "effective" team operates from Belgrade and the firm's Montenegrin Podgorica office, where it advises on the full range of commercial and corporate issues. Clients commended the team's aptitude for major transactional work, by a combination of local capability with knowledge of English law. The group advised the Government of Serbia on the sale of Beopetrol, the second largest oil company in Serbia. It also acted for EBRD, DEG ( the German Government development fund) and SEEF (a US investment fund for South East Europe) in the capitalisation and ultimate acquisition of a majority interest in Eksimbanka, one of the first such projects in Serbia.

The Lawyers: "If there is a big deal there, he's on it," said Mark Harrison's peers. The former head of Eversheds' Central and Eastern European practice demonstrates both "strong organisational skills and expertise," and is backed by a "solid team of Serbian lawyers." He was seen as a "skilled decision-maker whom Western investors find easy to talk to" because of his industry knowledge. He advised Nucarco on a major investment in Zastava Automobili, the country's leading car manufacturer, and led the team that acted for the Government of Montenegro in the privatisation of Telekom Crne Gore, the national telecommunications company. "Quick, young and smart" is how the market perceives Aleksandar Preradovic, who is building a solid reputation in banking. He advised Cargill Financial Markets, as well as HBK Investments, on the bonds issued by the National Bank of Yugoslavia for frozen old savings accounts.

The Clients: Heineken; US Steel; Binani Group; British American Tobacco; Goodyear; ING Barings; ITN; Petrochemical Holdings; ABN AMRO; Shell and BP.

Chambers Global 2002

The longest standing English firm in the Balkans, established in 1998, it is now closely involved in the market in Serbia, and significantly in Montenegro, where the firm has advised the government on all the significant privatisations to date. A familiar face on the domestic market as the former head of Eversheds Central and Eastern European practice, Mark Harrison is described by clients as "a deal maker - he knows everyone." He advised the EBRD on the formation and licensing of a Micro-Finance bank - the first project of its kind in Yugoslavia. The firm also advised British American Tobacco in the most significant foreign investment in Yugoslavia in the last ten years.

Clients: EBRD; Government of Serbia; British American Tobacco; SEEF (Soros); Gazprom (Sibur); Heidelberg Zement; EIB.