Zsuzsa Csiki is a Partner in the Bucharest office and the co-head of the local M&A/Corporate service line – with her experience also extending to tech/TMT and capital markets transactions. Zsuzsa ensures a strong mix of regulatory and transactional support, being backed up by a strong team of professional lawyers.

Zsuzsa has over 15 years of experience in advising on the entire spectrum of private and public M&As: cross-border and domestic share deals and asset deals, business transfers, private equity transactions, public takeovers, mergers/demergers, restructurings and joint ventures.

Zsuzsa has a strong reputation representing local entrepreneurs and private businesses in relation to investments by global corporates and investors, providing strategic advice on the deal process. Corporate clients and local entrepreneurs in the IT, agribusiness, automotive, retail, banking and regulated sectors, find her reliable and resourceful when it comes to fixing complex matters, creating efficient transaction structures and tackling robust regulatory requirements.

Zsuzsa’s expertise also extends to financial regulatory and capital markets transactions, guiding financial institutions through complex, international regulatory environments. She has a solid track record with particular experience on the implications of cross-border financial services under MiFiD II, structuring new capital markets products for Romania and compliance matters for asset management companies.

In advising on numerous high-value and high-profile deals in the financial services and banking sectors, she has also orchestrated numerous change of control regulatory filings and led teams and clients through robust regulatory requirements.

Zsuzsa has often been praised by her clients as one of the most competent and energetic business lawyers on the local market, very clever and innovative, with her outstanding capabilities being matched by her dedication and strong commitment to the client’s interests.

Zsuzsa Csiki’s innovative and strategic approach to handling intricate TMT cases has consistently yielded favourable outcomes for us. Zsuzsa has a knack for navigating complex regulatory and compliance challenges, ensuring our initiatives are legally robust and commercially viable. Zsuzsa’s responsiveness and client-centric approach make her an invaluable asset to our operations.

Stand-out figures include Zsuzsa Csiki whose meticulous attention to detail has consistently yielded positive outcomes.

Zsuzsa Csiki is able to tackle any complex issues with a sophisticated ability to listen and come up with solutions. Zsuzsa is equipped with impressive drafting and structuring skills, ensuring very smooth matter processing for us. Reliability, availability, energy, enthusiasm, structured thinking are just a few abilities of Zsuzsa, that ensure a solid foundation of trust and further relationship growth.

Our primary point of contact has been partner Zsuzsa Csiki, and she has been exceptionally responsive and practical in her advice. Zsuzsa has always proactively engaged her colleagues who are subject matter experts where needed but remains involved to help us (and our clients) distill that advice and make effective business decisions.

Legal 500, 2024

RECENT ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE ADVISING

AGRIBUSINESS & FOOD / NUTRITION (SELECTED)

• the founders of PROMAT COMIMPEX and AGROIND CAUACEU, two top Romanian entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector in Romania, on the joint venture partnership with Ameropa and on the further sale of an additional stake of up to 70% to Ameropa, with the latter now becoming the majority shareholder of Promat and Agroind
• BRISE GROUP, one of the most important independent grain and agricultural input traders in Romania, on the agreement with CEE Equity Partners (the investment advisor to the China Central and Eastern Europe Investment Co-operation Fund II) regarding the modernisation and development of its grain silos and logistics hubs
• AGROPORT&COMPANY S.R.L., in relation with the restructuring of a major Romanian and European food company founded in Romania, specialised in the processing of grains, especially corn and wheat, producing bakery products, vegetable oil, pastas and water and the subsequent investment by Agroport in a joint venture created as a result of this restructuring
• the shareholders of AGRICOST on the sale of the largest grain farm in Europe (over 56,000 hectares) to Al Dahra Group, a leading group based in the United Arab Emirates, in a transaction amounting to over EUR 200 million. The sale of Agricost was the largest deal in Romanian agriculture and one of the largest deals closed in the Romanian agricultural sector so far
• VETIMEX CAPITAL, and investment company of one of the leading private investors and farmers in Romania, on the acquisition of a majority stake in two important agri-players (Dachim SRL and Supliment SRL)
• HIGHLANDER PARTNERS, a US private equity fund, on the acquisition of a majority stake in Sano Vita, one of the most reputable and trusted food brands and consumer products companies in Romania
• NESTLE, the world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company, on the joint venture with R&R Ice Cream, a leading UK-based ice cream producer owned by the French private equity fund, PAI Partners, including on the local business transfer of the local ice-cream operations of Nestle to the newly created Froneri entity

TECH / TMT DEALS (SELECTED)

• THE OWNERS OF MONDLY, a worldwide renowned online language learning platform founded by a Romanian start-up, ATI Studios, on the sale of ATI Studios to the multinational education and publishing group, Pearson
• VICTORIA’S SECRET on the acquisition of Adore Me, Inc., a digitally-native intimates brand. The deal aimed at creating significant upside for VS&Co, including the opportunity to leverage Adore Me’s expertise and technology to continue to improve the Victoria’s Secret and PINK customer shopping experience and accelerate the modernization of VS&Co’s digital platform
• CANAL+ GROUP on the acquisition of M7 Group, one of the largest independent pay-tv operators in Europe, with operations including in Romania through Focus Sat
• COURT SQUARE CAPITAL PARTNERS, a leading private equity firm with $7.0 billion of assets under management, on the acquisition of Connatix, a company operating next-generation video platform for publishers
• AUDAX-BACKED MOBILEUM INC., a reputable designer and developer of data analytics solutions, on the acquisition of Niometrics Pte Ltd. - a network analytics company that provides solutions for telcos, together with its subsidiaries and affiliated entities
• GTT COMMUNICATIONS, a global leader in cloud networking services, on the Romanian law aspects of the sale of its infrastructure business to I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment management firm, for US$2.15 billion; our team assisted with the divestment of the infrastructure business in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine and Serbia, apart from Romania
• TURN / RIVER CAPITAL, a leading technology-focused growth and private equity fund, on its strategic investment in Romania-based CoSoSys, a reputable provider of IT solutions for security and compliance (data loss prevention products that work across computer operating systems)
• BARING PRIVATE EQUITY ASIA on the acquisition of Telus, a global provider of business process outsourcing, IT outsourcing and contact centre outsourcing solutions
• THE CARLYLE GROUP, a multinational private equity, alternative asset management and financial services corporation, on the acquisition of Comdata, a payment processor, from Alatair Servizi Informatici S.p.A.
• ARDIAN FUNDS S.A., a world-leading private investment house, on the acquisition of CCC Erste Beteiligungs GmbH, one of the leading BPO service providers in Europe, from its current shareholders comprising funds managed by Silverfleet Capital

HEALTHCARE (SELECTED)

• GROUP BRUXELLES LAMBERT, an established investment holding company, with over sixty years of stock exchange listing, with a diversified high-quality portfolio of listed and private assets as well as alternative investments, composed of global companies that are leaders in their sector, on the acquisition of Affidea Group, the largest European provider of advanced diagnostic imaging, outpatient, and cancer care services, together with its subsidiaries and affiliated entities
• STADA ARZNEIMITTEL, a Bain & Cinven-backed pharmaceutical company, on the acquisition of Walmark, a leading manufacturer of consumer health products in Central Europe, from Mid Europa Partners
• ALYCHLO/CERES PHARMA NV on the acquisition of the Ceumed Group companies, a company active in the pharmaceutical sector
• BAYER - one of the major players in the pharmaceutical industry, on (i) the carve-out of its chemical business into a separate group, called MS Global in Romania and on (ii) the spin-off of Covestro, via the complex carve-out of its MaterialScience business in CEE

BANKS / FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DEALS, REGULATORY FILINGS AND CAPITAL MARKETS TRANSACTIONS (SELECTED)

• GARANTI BANK on the acquisition of a controlling participation in the share capital and voting rights in the Romanian business of GE Money, including coordinating the regulatory approval process and obtaining clearance from the regulator (GE Money thus withdrew from the Romanian financial services market)
• UNICREDIT SPA on the global EUR 3.545 billion sale of its asset management arm, Pioneer Investments, to Amundi, a leading European asset manager, including coordinating regulatory approval processes and obtaining clearance from the regulator in Romania
• GLOBAL PAYMENTS, a worldwide provider of payment technology services, on its EUR 30 million joint venture with Erste Group to provide merchant acquiring and payment services in three core locations in CEE - the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania, including coordinating the regulatory approval process and obtaining clearance from the regulator
• THE LOCAL SUBSIDIARY OF A FRENCH BANKING GROUP on the simplification of the corporate structure of its consumer finance business in Romania by way of corporate reorganisations. Our team’s work covered assistance with respect to the corporate and financial regulatory mechanisms which need to be implemented for the internal restructuring at local level, having also orchestrated the relevant regulatory filings before the National Bank of Romania
• CITI SECURITIES and FUND SERVICES on the acquisition of ING’s local custody and securities services business in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine
• THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP PLC. on the increase of Her Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom significant participation in the share capital and voting rights of RBS Bank (Romania) S.A. as a result of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc’s participation in the UK Government’s Asset Protection Scheme; work also included coordinating the relevant regulatory filings with the National Bank of Romania
• ALPHA BANK on the sale of a 12.5% stake in Moldova’s third-largest lender, Victoriabank, to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) (including addressing regulatory implications)
• AIR LIQUIDE WELDING, a major European leader in the welding market on the acquisition of a qualifying stake of 16.5% in a Romanian listed company through a block trade deal on the Bucharest Stock Exchange with a value representing approximately EUR 7.5 million
• AIR LIQUIDE WELDING, a major European leader in the welding market on the public takeover of the outstanding shares, representing 8.18% in a Romanian listed company and on the subsequent delisting process through the squeeze-out of the minority shareholders, with a value representing approximately EUR 3,216,249 for the takeover and EUR 606,187 for the squeeze-out

FURTHER M&A DEALS IN DIFFERENT SECTORS (SELECTED)

• PWC on the agreement under which CD&R funds (a leading American private equity company and one of the oldest private equity investment firms in the world) has acquired PwC's Global Mobility Tax and Immigration Services business, with relevant advice including aspects concerning transfer of business as well as employment
• LIBERTY STEEL on the EUR 740 million acquisition of ArcelorMittal’s European assets, having acquired locally the plant formerly known as “Sidex Galati”
• HILLHOUSE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, an Asia-focused investment management firm, on the acquisition of the domestic appliances business of Koninklijke Philips N.V., a cross-border matter involving our office in Istanbul
• ONE ROCK CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC on the acquisition of Therm-O-Disc - a leading designer and manufacturer of safety-critical sensors, thermal cut-offs and sealed connecting components primarily used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, appliance, water heater, industrial, aerospace & defence, and transportation applications
• BRIDGEPOINT ADVISERS LIMITED on the acquisition of Smyk All for Kids, an international network specialist store with products for children and parents
• INVESTINDUSTRIAL, an Italian private equity fund, on the acquisition of Artsana group, maker of Chicco and other baby brands

FINANCIAL REGULATORY, CAPITAL MARKETS (SELECTED)

• GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION on the regulatory framework regarding online trading with financial products in Romania and on their Brexit plans, including the review of post-Brexit lending operational model, advice on loan transfers and lending pre-commitment
• AN AMERICAN MULTINATIONAL HEDGE FUND AND FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY on their envisaged business model in Romania in the context of Brexit
• A LEADING DIGITAL PAYMENT PLATFORM IN CHINA on their envisaged business model in Romania, covering the relevant regulatory implications for the issuance of e-money and payment services, marketing activity in Romania, also advising on consumer protection and data protection aspects
• AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN PAYMENT TECHNOLOGIES on capital markets matters, including potential regulatory implications of the envisaged change of structure as regards the company’s card services flows, and regulatory assistance in relation to the licences required in Romania for payment services
• AN ELECTRONIC MONEY INSTITUTION FOCUSED ON PAYMENT PROCESSING ON BEHALF OF A LEADING ONLINE PLATFORM FOR HOSPITALITY SERVICES on a regulatory survey with regards to the impact of Brexit in Romania (among other regulatory issues)
• A LEADING FINTECH COMPANY SERVING MORE THAN 100 MARKETS on the capital markets and regulatory requirements for carrying out its business in Romania
• A SWISS PROVIDER OF INTEGRATED FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS on a comprehensive questionnaire and manual on cross-border transactions for its private banking division; work included complex analysis and review of the banking and capital markets regulatory regime in Romania
• THE LOCAL SUBSIDIARY OF A FRENCH MULTINATIONAL BANKING GROUP on Romanian law matters concerning the implementation of the Markets in the Financial Instruments Directive (compliance review of certain disclaimers for use in connection with various product areas)
• AN AUTHORIZED CREDIT INSTITUTION on: i) the outsourcing of the e-brokerage and custody services to a third party provider in Switzerland; advice covered the review of the outsourcing documentation from a legal and regulatory perspective; ii) an offer for subscription of Romanian investors to structured notes investment products; advice covered the analysis of the financial regulatory requirements which need to be considered by the issuer (an entity established either within or outside the European Economic Area and by the local distributor of the investment products)
• THE BROKERAGE ARM OF AN AMERICAN MULTINATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION on legal and regulatory compliance review of the Romanian legal / regulatory requirements for conducting brokerage and custody services
• AN INDEPENDENT INTERMEDIARY FOR A WIDE RANGE OF FINANCIAL PRODUCTS on the MiFiD II requirements for providing services in Romania, a complex cross-border capital markets and financial regulatory mandate also involving interaction with regulators on the new structures to be implemented
• LEADING UK BANK HOLDING COMPANY on the local financial regulatory and capital markets framework which applies in respect of safe keeping of client assets by custodians, including legal requirements for record keeping and insolvency related matters
• AN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY on certain aspects of complex local legislation in relation to the trading of government bonds
• THE LOCAL SUBSIDIARY OF A DUTCH MULTINATIONAL BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION on the Romanian law implications regarding its EUR 40 billion Global Bonds Issuance Programme (the matter also involved innovative structuring and interaction with local regulators)
• A LEADING PROVIDER OF BANKING AND RELATED FINANCIAL SERVICES on the Romanian law implications regarding a EUR 50 billion structured euro medium term note programme. The project involves complex banking financial regulatory, capital markets matters and interaction with local regulators as well as the tailoring and implementation in Romania of an EMTN programme previously designed for other markets

EDUCATION

• 2007: Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Faculty of Law, Bachelor of Law

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

• Romanian Union of Lawyers
• Bucharest Bar Association

LANGUAGES

Romanian, Hungarian, English, German