Category: News

bpv Huegel advises RWA eGEN on acquisition financing for the purchase of shares in RWA AG

RWA eGen completes the purchase of shares in RWA AG from BayWa AG. The acquisition financing was structured and provided by Raiffeisen Bank International AG.

16 May 2025. bpv Huegel advised RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Handel und Vermögensverwaltung eGen (RWA eGen) and its acquisition holding on the completion of the approximately 47.53% share purchase in RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Aktiengesellschaft (RWA AG) and the acquisition financing from Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI). The share purchase with BayWa Aktiengesellschaft (BayWa AG) was completed on 2 May 2025. The purchase price amounts to EUR 176 million. The share purchase agreement was concluded at the end of last year.

The acquisition financing was structured and provided by Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI). With the completion of the purchase, the control over RWA AG is now fully held by RWA eGen in Austria.

“We are proud that we were able to successfully support RWA in this strategically important acquisition and financing and would like to thank all the teams involved in the transaction for their excellent cooperation,” says Christoph Nauer, the partner who led the transaction.

RWA AG is a producer, service provider and trader in the business areas of agriculture, technology, energy, building materials and home & garden. As the umbrella organisation of the Lagerhaus cooperatives in Austria, RWA AG provides them with a comprehensive range of services in the aforementioned areas. In addition, RWA AG holds a large number of participations and subsidiaries in Austria and in selected Eastern European countries. RWA eGen also holds the majority of shares in Raiffeisen Agrar Invest AG, which is the second-largest shareholder in BayWa AG with a stake of around 28.3%.

The bpv Huegel team led by partners Christoph Nauer (Corporate/M&A, Capital Markets) and Ingo Braun (Financing & Regulatory), included Barbara Valente (Financing & Regulatory, Corporate/M&A), Daniel Maurer (Financing & Regulatory, Corporate/M&A), Patrick Nutz-Fallheier (Corporate/M&A), Roland Juill (Corporate/M&A) and Johannes Mitterecker (Corporate/M&A). The merger control and investment control proceedings in seven countries were handled by a team led by partner Astrid Ablasser-Neuhuber (Merger Control/FDI) with Stefan Holzweber and Philipp Stengg (both Merger Control).

RWA eGen was advised on German law by FPS Rechtsanwälte, Frankfurt (Daniel Herper). BayWa AG was represented by a team from Jones Day, Munich (Maximilian P. Krause, Alexander Ballmann, Jürgen Beninca and Sebastian Schwab).

RBI, as the structuring and financing bank, was advised by a team from Schoenherr comprising Martin Ebner, Christian Cacic, Gabriel Ebner, Viktoria Carranza-Berg and Kristina Petz.

Press release

bpv Huegel: Johannes Mitterecker becomes partner

bpv Huegel is delighted to appoint Johannes Mitterecker as a partner. He works in the Corporate Law/M&A practice group and specialises in M&A transactions, restructuring and sports law.

15 May 2025. bpv Huegel appoints DDr. Johannes Mitterecker, LL.M., as a new partner with effect from May 2025. Johannes Mitterecker is an experienced transaction lawyer who joined bpv Huegel in 2021, specialising in corporate law, private equity and venture capital funds. He also provides corporate and regulatory advice to alternative investment funds, investment and venture capital funds, family offices and investment firms.

Furthermore, he is establishing an interdisciplinary sports law practice group at bpv Huegel.

Johannes Mitterecker is the editor and author of numerous publications on corporate, capital market and sports law, including groundbreaking publications such as the comprehensive commentary on the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Act (AIFMG) and practical handbooks on sports law and shareholder disputes.

Johannes Mitterecker holds doctoral degrees from the University of Vienna and the Vienna University of Economics and Business, as well as an LL.M. from Columbia University in New York. He is also admitted to the New York State Bar.

Christoph Nauer, Co-Managing Partner of bpv Huegel, congratulates the new partner: “We are delighted to welcome Johannes to our partnership and look forward to continuing the growth of the firm with him, delivering top-quality services in high-end transaction advisory.”

Press release

bpv GRIGORESCU STEFANICA announces the promotion of four members of the team

The law firm bpv GRIGORESCU STEFANICA announces the promotion of four members of the team to senior positions. As of 15 April, Serban Dumitrescu and Octavian Marian are promoted to managing associates, while Anamaria Rotariu and Antonia Coman are promoted to senior associates.

Catalin Grigorescu, managing partner:

“We are delighted to share the news of well-deserved promotions within our firm. Recognizing and nurturing the talent within our team is more critical than ever, especially as artificial intelligence continues to reshape aspects of legal work. While AI can augment our processes, it’s the uniquely human qualities – critical thinking, strategic judgment, and client empathy – demonstrated by our people that truly drive our success and differentiate our services.

These promotions acknowledge individuals who have not only excelled in their roles but have actively sought growth, demonstrating remarkable responsibility and courage in tackling new complexities. Their daily efforts have demonstrably improved our workflows, strengthened client relationships, and contributed significantly to the firm’s positive momentum. They embody the high standards we strive for.

Our partnership has great confidence that our enhanced team structure will allow us to capitalize effectively on new market opportunities and continue providing our clients with the exceptional, nuanced counsel they expect and deserve. Congratulations to our promoted colleagues on reaching this important milestone.”

Serban Dumitrescu is a senior member of our firm’s Dispute Resolution practice, known for his expertise in administrative, commercial, and labor law. He excels in navigating complex public sector and regulatory matters, including public procurement, urban planning, and transport. Serban’s strengths include guiding clients through every stage-from securing authorization and permits to representing them in court on high-stakes disputes involving tenders and public contracts. In commercial litigation, Serban Dumitrescu is highly effective in resolving contract disputes, debt recovery, and damage claims, consistently achieving favorable outcomes through sharp analysis and persuasive advocacy. He is also experienced in labor disputes, advising on employer and employee rights and successfully representing clients in employment disputes.

Octavian Marian is a senior member of our firm’s Dispute Resolution practice. He consistently assists and represents both local and international clients in challenging cases, earning recognition for his rigorous and balanced approach. Octavian’s expertise covers a wide range of matters, including administrative and tax litigation, contract enforcement and termination, public authority challenges, debt recovery, and insolvency proceedings. He is adept at working collaboratively within international legal teams and has contributed to sensitive commercial and white-collar criminal cases. Octavian is known for delivering precise, efficient solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs, making him a trusted advisor in high-stakes and multifaceted legal matters.

Anamaria Rotariu is a member of the Corporate Transactions team, distinguished by her additional multidisciplinary expertise in Tax and Competition Law. She excels at managing complex, high-value projects for both local and cross-border transactions, providing clients with comprehensive legal support across all stages of a deal. She is particularly skilled in structuring transactions to maximize tax efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance, including handling notification procedures with authorities. Her experience spans diverse industries such as IT, insurance, retail, and manufacturing, where she delivers solutions that address both legal and commercial objectives. Ana’s ability to integrate tax and competition law perspectives into corporate transactions makes her a trusted advisor for clients navigating intricate legal landscapes.

Antonia Coman is a member of the Employment Law team, with extensive experience advising and representing both national and international clients in employment and tax law matters. She is recognized for structuring and managing complex and sensitive proceedings, such as disciplinary investigations, restructuring processes, and harassment inquiries. Antonia provides comprehensive day-to-day legal support, including drafting and reviewing individual and collective employment contracts, internal policies, procedures, and termination agreements. She also plays a key role in due diligence processes, equipping clients with the insights needed for strategic business decisions.

bpv LEGAL Academy in Bratislava again

Last week we had our bpv LEGAL Academy M&A training in its 18th year, as always in beautiful Bratislava.
With lively sessions led by Arthur Braun (CZ), Stefan Gaug (AT), Nicolas Wolski (AT) and Christian F. Schneider (AT), the younger colleagues from Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary had the opportunity to obtain deeper understanding of the latest trends and challenges in M&A and Due Diligence, as well as practical insights and strategies to enhance their professional expertise.
Thanks to our Bratislava office we enjoyed the perfect alliance reunion, with delicious culinary tours at Bocca Buona and Zylinder, and unforgettable views and cocktails from SKY Bar where we had time for sharing our stories and making new friends within the bpv community.
Thanks to all our lecturers and attendees for making the event so memorable!
We look forward to future bpv LEGAL events.

rpt

 

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS honoured by CEE Legal Matters with the Deal of the Year award

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS has been awarded the Deal of the Year 2024 in Slovakia by CEE Legal Matters. The award was handed over for probably the largest Slovakian energy transaction in 2024: Acquisition of a 100% stake in the energy group GGE from the investment group Infracapital. The award ceremony took place on the evening of April 1, 2025, in Prague, bringing together leading lawyers and law firms from across Central and Eastern Europe.

David Vosol, partner of bpv BRAUN PARTNERS commented: “This is a great success for us at bpv BRAUN PARTNERS and for our entire team – big thanks to Igor Augustinič, Ondrej Poništiak, Pavel Vintr, Ivana Horáková, David Plevka, Juraj Gazda, Zuzana Dzilská and Monika Kardošová. We are proud that our hard work has been recognised – it’s a testament to our dedication, teamwork, and precision and the icing on the cake for the celebration of 15 years of our Bratislava office – without them this transaction would not have taken place.. Thanks to Rob Irving of Dentons, on the sell side, thanks to him, it was for me also the most professional and gentlemanlike transaction of the last years.” Congratulation to all winners.

More information can be found here.

About CEE Legal Matters:
CEE Legal Matters is the authoritative print and online publication for and about the lawyers and legal markets of Central and Eastern Europe. It featured news, interviews, analysis, opinion, and more. CEELM mission always has and always be, simply, to be the go-to source of information about the legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe.

Cynthia Sturmfels strengthens German law team at bpv BRAUN PARTNERS Prague with now five lawyers

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS is pleased to announce that Cynthia Sturmfels, LL.M. has joined the firm as a Senior Associate, further strengthening the German desk and its international law and antitrust law practice. With extensive experience gained in leading European institutions and law firms, Cynthia will be a valuable asset to the firm’s growing international team.

Cynthia gained her professional experience at the European Commission Directorate in Brussels, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, and leading international law firms, including Gleiss Lutz and GÖRG. Throughout her career, she has worked on complex legal issues at the intersection of European and national regulations, providing strategic legal counsel to multinational clients.

“We are delighted to welcome Cynthia to our team,” said Arthur Braun, managing partner of bpv BRAUN PARTNERS and head of German desk. “Her broad experience in international and antitrust law, coupled with her background at the European Commission and other institutions, will further enhance our firm’s capabilities and strengthen our position as a trusted legal advisor for clients operating in multiple jurisdictions.”

She enjoys practicing yoga, rock climbing, and experimenting in the kitchen—especially with Middle Eastern cuisine. In her free time, she also likes bullet journaling and aquarelle painting.

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS once again proves its quality in the Chambers Europe 2025 rankings

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS, a renowned law firm providing its legal services throughout the Central and Eastern European region, has once again been ranked in Chambers 2025, a prestigious legal directory that evaluates law firms and lawyers around the world.

The firm is recognised for its expertise in the areas of corporate/M&A, real estate, projects and energy and employment law. In the real estate category, bpv BRAUN PARTNERS was recognised for its “open and friendly communication with an understanding of our needs and our level of legal knowledge “, while in the projects and energy category it was highlighted for its “strong expertise in renewable energy”. The firm’s employment team was valued for ” their flexibility, knowledge and experience “.

The directory also highlighted the firm’s partners, Arthur Braun, Jiří Bárta and Lucie Kalašová. Arthur Braun, the firm’s managing partner, was praised for his expertise in corporate law and M&A, with one client appreciating, “very good knowledge of the market.” Jiří Bárta has been praised for his business acumen and legal erudition. Lucie Kalašová was recognised in the employment law category and is valued by one of the clients for “really profound knowledge of employment law “.

The ranking in Chambers Europe 2025 confirming bpv BRAUN PARTNERS its reputation for delivering high-quality legal services. This recognition reflects the firm’s unwavering commitment to building long-term client relationships and staying at the forefront of legal developments and trends. With a strong presence in the CEE region, bpv BRAUN PARTNERS continues to be a trusted partner for companies navigating complex legal challenges. The ranking underscores the firm’s dedication to excellence, deep industry expertise, and client-focused approach.

In response to the news, Arthur Braun said, “We are delighted to once again be recognized by Chambers Europe 2025. This acknowledgment reaffirms the quality of our work and the dedication we bring to delivering exceptional legal services to our clients. It is both an honour and a motivation for our entire team. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our client relationships and building on our success in the years ahead.”

Chambers Europe 2025: 1st place ranking for the tax practice of bpv Huegel

This makes bpv Huegel’s tax practice top-ranked in Chambers Europe. This confirms the leading position of bpv Huegel in tax law advice.

20 March 2025. bpv Huegel is ranked in Band 1 for tax law in the Chambers Europe Ranking 2025.

In addition, partner and head of tax Nicolas Wolski and tax partner Kornelia Wittmann have also been individually recognised as leading practitioners.

The tax practice now is holding top positions in Band 1 in three major international tax rankings (Chambers, Legal 500, ITR World Tax). As recently as September 2024, the tax team was named “Tax Litigation Law Firm of the Year – Austria” and “Transfer Pricing Law Firm of the Year – Austria” by ITR.

“We are proud that, in addition to the ITR and Legal 500 rankings, we are now also ranked in the top category by Chambers. A big thank you to all team members who have worked together to achieve this success over the last few years,” says Nicolas Wolski, head of the tax practice.

The team led by Nicolas Wolski, who is dual-qualified as both a lawyer and tax advisor in both Austria and Germany, advises leading Austrian and international companies, particularly in the areas of M&A tax, tax disputes and general corporate tax.

Press release

bpv GRIGORESCU ȘTEFĂNICĂ advised Autonom International on its investment in Eazy Insurance

bpv GRIGORESCU ȘTEFĂNICĂ advised Autonom International, part of Autonom Group, on its investment in the Romanian insurance company Easy Insurance. The transaction was signed on March 5, 2025, and is pending approval by the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) and other relevant regulatory authorities.

Known for its expertise in the automotive industry, the Autonom Group is joining Eazy Insurance as a portfolio investor. Without having any executive involvement in the company’s management, the investors will also support the company’s development through their know-how in the insurance services field. The Autonom Group also includes Autonom Services, one of the most prominent companies in the operational leasing and car rental market.

Our involvement in this transaction included advising the company and its founders on various legal and tax issues, including due diligence, negotiation, documentation drafting and regulatory approvals.

“Autonom Group’s investment in Eazy Insurance demonstrate our client’s dedication to supporting innovation in complementary mobility and financial services. We are happy and honoured to be involved in this transaction and grateful for our client’s trust”, said Cătălin Grigorescu, managing partner, bpv GRIGORESCU ȘTEFĂNICĂ.

Our team included Cătălin Grigorescu, managing partner and leader of the technology transactions practice, Anamaria Rotariu, associate, and Angelina Dănăilă, associate, in the corporate transactions practice, among other members of the team.

Our Corporate Transactions team has recently been involved in some of the most high-profile transactions in the field, including:

▸ Footprints AI in connection with an investment round led by Catalyst Romania Fund II;

▸ SARMIS Capital on the acquisition of Total Technologies to strengthen Smart ID’s position as a regional leader in the industrial technology and automation market;the private equity firm Omnia Capital on its investment in the digital shipping house Cargo Buddy;

▸ Creatopy and its co-founders in a $10 million Series A funding round;

▸ Softelligence and its shareholders in connection with its acquisition by the US company Encora Holdings Limited, part of the Encora Group;

▸ Ziegler Group in its acquisition of HS Timber Productions in Sebeș, Romania;

▸ the private equity firm OMNIA CAPITAL in its acquisition of the road transportation company Dumagas from the private equity fund Bancroft;

▸ the company VERIDION (formerly Soleadify), its founders, as well as the venture capital fund LAUNCHUB Ventures and other participants in a USD 6 million financing round;

▸ software and infrastructure company INCRYS in connection with acquiring information technology services company USOURCE;

▸ Innoship and its shareholders on the acquisition of a majority stake in Innoship by the private equity fund Abris Capital.

Lex RES III passed with individual self-assessment of adequacy

On 29 January 2025, we informed you about further developments in the legislative process of adopting the amendment to the Energy Act, which is commonly known as “Lex RES III“. One of the main objectives of the amendment in question is to respond to current European trends in the energy sector, which include, for example, the introduction of legislation related to energy storage, flexibility aggregation, energy sharing and further increase in support for renewable energy production.

Lex RES III was a target of several amendments, one of which introduced an individual internal rate of return threshold and a reporting obligation for PV plants built in 2009-2010 with a capacity of more than 30 kWp.

However, this proposal did not pass the Senate and was deleted from the “Lex RES III”. In this form, the Lex RES III was returned to the Chamber of Deputies for a second vote, which occurred on 4 March 2025. However, during the vote, the Senate’s proposal to delete the obligation of individual self-assessment of adequacy for PV plants with the above-mentioned parameters was outvoted.

Currently, the obligation of (individual) yield reporting will become part of the Energy Act after the draft amendment to the Energy Act Lex RES III is signed by the President of the Czech Republic. However, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Lukáš Vlček, announced during a debate in the Chamber of Deputies that he wants to increase the threshold for individual self-evaluation of adequacy from the current 30 kWp to 145 kWp in the next amendment to the Energy Act known as “Lex Gas”.

We will keep you informed about whether this change in „Lex Gas” will take place, as well as about the further progress of the adoption of “Lex Gas”.

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This material is for general information on current topics only, it is not advice. It does not take into account any special circumstances, financial situations or special requirements of the addressees. Recipients should therefore always seek appropriate professional services for the information provided. Notwithstanding the careful compilation of this material, bpv Braun Partners s.r.o. advokáti, its partners, associates or co-operating solicitors and tax advisers cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein and accepts no responsibility for acting or refraining from acting on the basis of the information contained in this material.