Kinstellar is delighted to announce that it has joined forces with Asia Counsel (www.asia-counsel.com), a prominent law firm in Vietnam. Our sister law firm in Vietnam will continue to operate under the existing “Asia Counsel” brand, now in association with Kinstellar Southeast Asia. Our strategy is to continue to develop a first-class group of law firms in jurisdictions where the major international law firms are not focussed, thereby positioning ourselves as the leading innovator and powerhouse in those jurisdictions. This strategic move marks a significant milestone and a launchpad for our group’s expansion plans in the emerging markets of Southeast Asia. By combining our strengths, resources and expertise
February 2024 – Kinstellar is delighted to announce the promotions to Counsel of: Yerlan Akhmetov, Kuanysh Shekerbekov (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Cătălin Dinu, Cătălin Graure (Bucharest, Romania), Barnabás Sági (Budapest, Hungary), Yulia Eismont, Maksym Tesliar (Kyiv, Ukraine), Michal Forýtek (Prague, Czech Republic), Andrijana Kaštelan, Vedran Kopilović, Marija Vuchetich (Zagreb, Croatia). ALMATY Yerlan Akhmetov focuses on banking and finance, M&A and capital markets matters. Having been with the Firm for nine years, Yerlan has earned a reputation for cultivating strong client relationships, demonstrating leadership qualities and making significant contributions to our firm's success. He has played a key role
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Ardak Idayatova has joined the firm’s Almaty office as Partner. Ardak Idayatova is an experienced practitioner with a career spanning 20 years. She focuses primarily on commercial arbitration (especially construction arbitration) and litigation, as well as on public-private partnerships and real estate. Ardak’s expertise includes providing comprehensive support to major infrastructure projects, primarily representing foreign investors, international development banks and foreign contractors. Additionally, she represents and provides legal assistance to clients in foreign commercial arbitrations, mainly in connection with construction disputes arising out of different
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Kamilla Khamraeva has joined the firm’s Tashkent office as Counsel. Kamilla focuses on Banking & Finance and the Energy and Infrastructure sectors. Kamilla is an experienced lawyer with a strong track record implementing some of the major and most sophisticated projects in Uzbekistan in recent years. She has also been involved in regional initiatives overseeing mandates in Turkmenistan, collaborating with local firms/lawyers on the ground. During her legal career she has advised the IFC, ADB, EBRD, Intesa Sanpaolo, Unicredit, Credit Suisse, MUFG, SACE and others in various transactions. Kamilla often works closely with lenders on structuring bespoke transactions to
Kinstellar is pleased to announce that Claudia Popescu has joined the firm’s Bucharest office as Special Counsel in its Corporate M&A practice. Claudia will strengthen the office’s capabilities and will generate further support for the team in responding to the growing need for corporate and M&A projects in Romania. Claudia Popescu is specialized in M&A, Corporate and Private Equity and has more than 20 years of experience in strategically advising reputable companies on acquisitions and divestments, mergers, intra-group restructurings, regulatory and commercial matters, public offerings of securities, private equity, privatisations and other investment-related matters, including in regulated sectors.
Kinstellar Sofia expands its Projects & Infrastructure service line with the addition of Boryana Boteva who joins the firm as a Senior Counsel and Head of Projects & Infrastructure in Sofia. With over 25 years of experience in public procurement, public-private partnerships and project finance, Boryana is a prominent legal expert in the field. Her practice also focuses on corporate, M&A, international arbitration, commercial litigation and international taxation. Boryana has acted as an advisor to Bulgarian public institutions on flagship projects in the infrastructure and energy sectors. In addition, she has advised on a wide range of financings of business activities or specific projects in Bulgaria
Kinstellar supports professional growth by offering a broad range of career development opportunities for our team, including the role of sector/service line head or co-head. We provide growth opportunities to all of our talented lawyers with the relevant experience and an outstanding track record. We are delighted to announce the following appointments: Csilla Andrékó, Partner in our Budapest office, is the Co-Head of the firm-wide Banking & Finance Service Line. Csilla is one of the founders of the Firm and the former Managing Partner of the Budapest office. Csilla also served as the head of the regional Banking & Finance and Restructuring & Insolvency Service Lines. She retired from active practice
Kinstellar is delighted to announce the addition of Lenka Petráková to its Dispute Resolution team as a Senior Associate in the Prague office. Lenka Petráková brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Kinstellar. With over four years of specialised practice in civil litigation, Lenka has established herself as a formidable advocate in the legal community. Her primary focus remains dispute resolution, a field she passionately describes as her favourite area of practice, as no two cases are the same, which brings the opportunity to always learn new things. Her extensive background includes significant work with both domestic and international insurers, providing Lenka a unique insight into numerous legal
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Kristóf Ferenczi has been appointed as new Firm Managing Partner effective from 1 January 2024. He will succeed Patrik Bolf, who will take on a new position within the Firm focusing on certain firm-wide projects, after having spent a very successful six years in the role. Kristóf Ferenczi has extensive executive management experience having served on Kinstellar’s Firm Management Committee since 2018 and as the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Budapest office. With over 20 years of experience, Kristóf has been with Kinstellar since the Firm’s foundation 15 years ago, and prior to that with Linklaters and DLA Piper. Kristóf is a very well-regarded energy sector specialist
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Balázs Sepsey has been appointed as new Office Managing Partner of Kinstellar’s Budapest office effective from 1 January 2024. Balázs takes over from Kristóf Ferenczi, who has been appointed Kinstellar’s Firm Managing Partner. Rising over the years from Junior Associate to Partner in 2021, Balázs has become one of the finest acknowledged professionals in his field. A recognised energy market expert, Balázs has been a key driver of the growth and success of the Budapest energy practice over the years. As a member of the Budapest office’s management team and a mentor in the local mentoring scheme, Balázs has gained a strong understanding of our culture and values.
Kinstellar is delighted to announce further hires: the additions of Corina Stanciu (Senior Associate) and Cristiana Mic-Soare (Special Counsel) to the Bucharest office’s real estate service line, thus even further strengthening the firm’s market-leading expertise in real estate and related sectors. Corina Stanciu joined the team as a Senior Associate. She has years of experience: she has assisted real estate investors and developers on real estate transactions, project development and construction permitting, covering the full range of business sectors: commercial / retail, office, industrial, logistics, residential, agriculture, renewable energy. She advised on day-to-day real estate, construction, regulatory
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Balázs Tomaj, a seasoned legal practitioner in Hungary’s energy sector, has joined the firm’s Budapest office as a Senior Counsel. With a longstanding and notable career in the energy sector, Balázs brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, further enhancing the firm’s capabilities to serve its clients in this ever-evolving sector. With over 15 years at the largest Hungarian energy companies and law firms, Balázs has established himself as a trusted legal expert in the field. His deep understanding of energy regulations and industry trends is an invaluable asset for our firm and our clients. He will play a leading role in strengthening our capabilities in the energy