Bird & Bird officially established its own presence in Eastern Europe in 2008 with four offices in Prague, Bratislavia, Budapest, and Warsaw. Through these strategic locations we are able to offer a deeper understanding of the local markets and provide advice in both English and in the region’s languages.
Since then each office has grown to be renowned in their respective country for specialisms that include banking and finance, corporate and M&A, intellectual property, privacy and data protection, information technology, telecoms, media, dispute resolution, energy and utilities, real estate, and life sciences. We have also become well known for our ability to successfully manage complex, cross-border projects and deals.
We provide legal advice to local and multi-national companies who need support in Central and Eastern Europe, operating as a cohesive team and fully integrating with the rest of the international Bird & Bird network.
We have also recruited leaders in their respective practices including Maciej Gawroński in Poland, Ivan Sagál in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and Richárd Eördögh in Hungary to name only a few.
We also have close relationships with key institutions such as the Polish Chamber of Commerce and the Polish Chambers of Information Technology and Telecommunication. In the Czech Republic we cooperate closely with the Czech Venture Capital Association, American and British Chambers of Commerce and the British Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia.
For further details of our local teams, as well as examples of their work, please visit the relevant office pages.
Highlights of recent work
We recently assisted:
> a globally active research pharmaceuticals company on the sale of a branded product portfolio in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East
> a manufacturer of bearings in all their trade mark enforcement activities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including related criminal as well as civil proceedings
> an energy company on complex IP advice in their anti-counterfeiting activities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
> an international leader in lifting technology on their acquisition of a Czech privately-owned manufacturing group; requiring complex due diligence advice, transaction structuring and contractual negotiations
> Hungary’s second largest mobile service provider in extensive court proceedings relating to an auction on frequency usage rights
> one of the fastest-growing green companies in the world in connection with the establishment of its Hungarian business
> a leading local online hotel reservations agency on high-profile trade mark infringement and passing-off the matter as well as opposition proceedings and domain name matters
> an international pharmaceutical company on various areas related to their operations on the Hungarian market such as patent-related advice, customs, regulatory, employment, and patent litigation matters
> the largest retail bank in Poland in negotiating and drafting a contract for licensing, implementation, and maintenance of a universal central banking system
> a leading Bank as issue agent, arranger and dealer in a series of transactions regarding the establishing of a private bonds issue programme by private companies from various sectors (real estate, courier services, financial services), transaction documentation and participation in negotiations, registration of bonds in the National Depository of Securities
> a Polish government agency on arbitration proceedings (under the UNCITRAL Rules) commenced by an international construction consortium regarding the additional payment for repair works of selected sections of a Polish motorway (construction contract was based on Red FIDIC Book).
Accolades
"Working with them is very refreshing as they are advisers in the true sense of the word: business-oriented and always a few steps ahead of you, with solutions for any situation."
Chambers Europe 2012
"The firm "really adds value" in dealing with complex oppositions, cancellations and other contentious matters, such as civil infringement litigation and
anti-counterfeiting."
World Trademark Review 2012
In Slovakia we have been recognised for our work in trade mark related matters by Managing IP for years 2011 and 2012.
Its ability to serve clients both across Central and Eastern Europe and globally “really distinguishes it from many of its competitors”.
World Trademark Review 2012
Client Choice Award 2012
ILO Client Choice Guide
"Highly responsive, it provides tailor-made advice and understands the nuances of clients’ business. It finds the optimal solution for every legal problem.”
World Trademark Review 2012
"The lawyers are always available and have great communication skills." "It has the potential to become a market-leading banking and finance firm in Poland."
Chambers Global
“Bird & Bird frequently represents media industry clients, and also recently advised a Polish bank on an annex to an agreement for the development and maintenance of innovative software. Maciej Gawroński is rated.”
Legal 500 2012