📰 We are pleased to share the latest #Bulgaria chapter of Global Arbitration Review's (#GAR) Know-How - Commercial Arbitration, providing a comprehensive overview of local arbitration laws, procedure, and enforcement. The guide, written by our experts Boryana Boteva (Senior Counsel), Debora Dineva (Senior Associate) and Nikoleta Ivanova (Junior Associate), covers 51 topics on Bulgarian arbitration practice, including: • Key legislation and institutional framework, including the 2025 amendments • Updates on enforcement of foreign and domestic awards • Practical considerations for arbitration proceedings with a place in Bulgaria As arbitration continues to play a vital role in resolving cross-border disputes, understanding local practices is essential for both legal professionals and businesses operating internationally. 💡 We are proud of our team’s contribution and invite you to explore the full chapter here: https://lnkd.in/dajsch4G #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #Arbitration #CommercialArbitration #DisputeResolution

🌟 Proud to share our latest recognition in the IP STARS 2026 rankings – a testament to the strength and consistency of our Intellectual Property teams. 🏆 🇧🇬 Kinstellar Bulgaria has been ranked as a Notable Firm in the Trade Mark 2026 category, reflecting the team’s continued excellence in delivering top-tier trademark advice. 🏆 🇺🇦 Kinstellar Ukraine has been ranked as a Notable Firm in the Intellectual Property 2026 category, recognising the team’s strong expertise and ability to deliver outstanding IP support in a challenging and fast‑evolving environment. IP STARS (Managing IP's rankings publication) research provide independent and impartial accreditation across 150+ jurisdictions, covering 1,600+ firms and 7,000+ practitioners. 👏 A big thank you to our clients for their ongoing trust and meaningful partnerships! Congratulations to our IP teams for their dedication and outstanding results and to Natalia Kirichenko, our firm-wide head of the Intellectual Property services, for her inspiring leadership. #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #IPStars2026 #IntellectualProperty #TradeMarkLaw #LegalExcellence #Recognition #Bulgaria #Ukraine

🎥 A great evening in Prague as part of the ABA International Labor and Employment Law Committee Midyear Meeting We were delighted to be part of this outstanding event and would like to thank the American Bar Association and the organisers for bringing together such a strong international legal community. Thought‑provoking discussions, excellent company, and the chance to connect across jurisdictions made it a truly rewarding experience. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the open exchange of ideas. We look forward to continuing these discussions and supporting our colleagues whenever regional expertise is needed. 💡 #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #ABA #LaborAndEmploymentLaw #LegalCommunity #Prague #LabourLaw #EmploymentLaw

The EU Listing Act is reshaping MAR, and listed companies across Europe will need to adapt their disclosure frameworks, governance processes and insider list management. We are pleased to invite you to the webinar "Preparing for the MAR 2026 Changes" organised by Euronext Corporate Solutions, taking place on 28 May (11:00–12:00 CET), and are delighted that our Capital Markets expert, Petra Heindl, will be part of the panel. 🎯 What you’ll learn: • Common mistakes issuers make under the current MAR regime. • How to determine, under the revised MAR framework, when a protracted process reaches the "final event" that triggers the disclosure obligation. • How Euronext is preparing as a listed company, and what governance practices other issuers can take from their approach. • Practical steps you can take now to be ready before the changes take effect. 🎙️ Expert panel participants: • Tatyana Valkova (Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Euronext Corporate Solutions) • Petra Heindl (Attorney-at-Law from our Vienna office) • Emil Burman (Senior Product Manager, Euronext Corporate Solutions) 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/edi8FJpd #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #CapitalMarkets #Regulation #Compliance #MAR #EUListingAct #CorporateGovernance #Webinar

🤖 The EU has agreed to push back the application of key #AI Act obligations for high-risk systems, including most HR tools, to December 2027. Some obligations already apply, including prohibited AI practices and AI literacy requirements. At the same time, AI is already deeply embedded in HR processes across many organisations, often without clear classification, governance or oversight. The extension affects timing, not substance. The underlying legal and operational expectations remain unchanged. 🔎 Read the full article by Benedikt Sprinzl (Employment & Labour Law Partner, Vienna) to gain full insights: https://lnkd.in/d_fGC2JZ #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #EmploymentLaw #HR #ArtificialIntelligence #AIAct #FutureOfWork #LegalInsights #Compliance

🇷🇴 New conditions in #Romania for the recruitment of foreign workers: necessary reform or overregulation? On 27 April 2026, Government Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 entered into force, introducing a significantly stricter framework for the employment of foreign nationals in Romania, with major implications for both employers and placement agencies. ⚖️ The Ordinance introduces two distinct categories of employers, registered and authorised, each subject to different eligibility criteria and obligations, including mandatory registration on the WorkinRomania.gov.ro platform (which becomes the sole interface for employing foreign nationals as of 8 August 2026), bilingual employment contracts, financial guarantees, and enhanced obligations regarding the integration and protection of foreign workers. 💡 While the stated objective is to combat exploitation and strengthen oversight, the practical effect may be higher compliance costs, longer hiring timelines, and reduced flexibility — at a time when Romania is already facing a significant labour shortage. 👉 Read the full analysis by Lidia Zarnescu, Counsel, and Rena Saftencu, Senior Associate, here: https://lnkd.in/diksBbXA #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #LabourLaw #Employment #ForeignWorkers #Immigration #HRCompliance #WorkforceMobility

Croatia takes a significant step toward improving investment certainty in the energy sector ⚡ The Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency has adopted a new Decision on Unit Charges for Connection to the Electricity Grid, effective 1 May 2026. After years of uncertainty in the renewables market, the new framework introduces capacity-based connection charges applied nationwide, replacing the previous model based on actual costs and location. This change brings greater transparency and predictability for investors—key factors for unlocking stalled renewable energy projects. A noteworthy development for anyone active in Croatia’s energy and infrastructure space. Read more in the article below or on our website, written by Marija Vuchetich (Counsel) and Kristina Marinov (Senior Associate): https://lnkd.in/dXJSmWKg #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #Energy #Renewables #Croatia #Regulation #GridConnection #EnergyRegulation

✨ We are proud to announce a new round of promotions in our #Zagreb office, recognising lawyers whose outstanding contributions continue to make a meaningful impact on our clients and the firm. These promotions reflect our ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and strengthening our expertise in the local market. Congratulations to: • Matea Sekur on her promotion to Managing Associate; • Jakov Hadzija on his promotion to Senior Associate; • Anamarija Jukić, Dora Dabac, and Zdeslav Dalić on their promotions to Associate. We look forward to their continued success and contributions in the years ahead. 🙌 #ExceptionalTogether #InTheKnow #KinstellarZagreb #CareerGrowth #LegalExcellence #Promotions #TeamKinstellar #Croatia

🇮🇹 We are pleased to announce that Daniele Iacona has joined the firm as Head of the Italian Desk. 🌍 Based in Bucharest, Daniele will lead the development of our Italian Desk, supporting Italian clients and investors across Central and Eastern Europe. He brings over 20 years of experience in the region, having lived and worked primarily in Romania, with secondments in Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Türkiye, as well as international experience in Australia, Brazil and Spain. A dual-qualified lawyer admitted to the Bar in both Italy and Romania, Daniele focuses on Corporate/M&A and Energy, with relevant experience in international arbitration. He advises Italian investors on cross-border investments and supports companies throughout their full business life cycle. 🤝 Daniele is also an active member of the Italian business community and works closely with Italian institutions and organisations. His appointment further strengthens our capabilities in serving Italian businesses, at a time when Italy continues to rank among the leading investor countries in CEE. Daniele will play a key role in strengthening relationships with Italian clients and referral law firms, working closely with our regional teams to deliver seamless, business-focused legal support. We are excited to welcome Daniele and look forward to the value he will bring to our clients and our firm. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dnSVUBGz #ExceptionalTogether #Welcome #Italy #CEE #ItalianDesk #TeamGrowth