Event information
Agenda
1.00pm – 1.30pm Registration and light lunch
1.30pm – 1.40pm Opening remarks
1.40pm -2.00pm Presentation
2.00pm – 2.50pm Panel 1
2.50pm – 3.40pm Handling Romanian Claims – Particularities of a (G)localised Approach
Managing Romanian claims, particularly in the context of large commercial or regulatory disputes, remains a challenging endeavour for in-house lawyers and external counsel alike. Local legal traditions, the large-scale hybridisation of the Romanian regulatory framework, inconsistencies in the development of the judicial system across the country, and the widespread importation of foreign law-based instruments and procedures via multinational corporations combine to create a complex and unique legal landscape, fertile ground for legal conflicts.
This discussion will not address the management of small claims, such as those with an insurance focus (e.g., consumer, product, healthcare, motor services, or similar matters), but will instead concentrate on large-scale commercial or regulatory disputes.
For commercial disputes, the session will share local experiences developed over the past three decades, during which Romanian legal processes have evolved through the adoption and adaptation of practices from around the world. It will follow a critical path of claim process management, starting with tools for mitigating dispute risks at the business origination stage, partner selection, and contract negotiation, and ending with advanced-stage litigation settlements.
In the realm of regulatory disputes, we will explore how interactions with regulators – whether acting as norm issuers, permit and licence granters, investigators, or enforcers – can be effectively judicialised. The discussion will provide insights into how such processes can be best managed by legal counsel to achieve favourable outcomes.
- Florian Nitu, managing partner, Popovici Niţu Stoica & Asociaţii
- Alina Dumitrascu, general counsel Romania, PPC Group
- Cristina Vilcu, executive legal director, BRD
- Claudiu Tampau, legal manager, Strabag
3.40pm – 4.00pm Coffee Break
4.00pm – 4.50pm Panel 3
4.50pm – 5.40pm Panel 4
5.40pm – 6.20pm Closing Fireside Chat
6.20pm – 6.30pm Closing Remarks
6.30pm – 7.30pm Drinks
Speakers
Florian Nitu, managing partner, Popovici Niţu Stoica & Asociaţii
Florian Niţu is the Managing Partner and Head of Corporate M&A, Real Estate, and International Arbitration Practices.
Florian is largely recognized as one of the most experienced transactional lawyers and claim managers in the Romanian legal services market.
He holds a significant expertise in arbitration proceedings before domestic and international courts under the rules of ICC Paris, ICSID, the Court of International Commercial Arbitration pertaining to the Chamber of Commerce of Romania.
For more than a decade he has been constantly ranked as a leading lawyer in Romania in the areas of Mergers and Acquisitions and Real Estate Practices with international legal directories and other professional or industry surveys.
Alina Dumitrascu, general counsel Romania, PPC Group
Alina Dumitrascu is an Energy Lawyer, holding the position of Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs in PPC Group Romania – a Greek leading electric utility, with activities in electricity generation, distribution, supply and sale of advance energy products and services.
Her leadership journey covers senior roles in public, private and civic sectors, coupled with a global experience.
She is a lawyer with more than 25 years in the Energy Field being Harvard Law School Alumna and included in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist.
Not least, aside from being an energy lawyer, legal innovation and tech is one of her favorite topics and she embrace alternative models and technologies, reflecting on the future of the law and legal profession.
She is the author of the first book for children that explains playfully the Romanian Constitution through images and games – “What is the Constitution? Play and find out!”, being deeply passionate about helping children understand their rights, making sure they will live in a ‘good society’. She is also the founder of Smartastic Lab initiative – a NGO supporting education towards rule of law, human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of children in Romania that launched a Constitutional literacy project named “Start with the Right” implemented in the primary schools in Bucharest.
Cristina Vilcu, executive legal director, BRD
Cristina Vilcu is the Executive Legal Director for BRD Groupe Société Generale and in this capacity she oversees the legal and regulatory affairs as well as the legal risk management. With over two decades of dedicated service, Cristina has progressively advanced through various roles withing bank’s legal department, demonstrating leadership and legal expertise. Throughout the years, Cristina has contributes to strategic projects in BRD, being involved in innovative and challenging endeavors.
Beyond her role at BRD, Cristina is a key member of the Board of Legal Advisors Association of Banking and Financial Institutions. Her active involvement has been instrumental in building and strengthening the community of banking legal advisors, fostering professional development, knowledge sharing and collaborative approaches to legal challenges in the financial sector.
Claudiu Tampau, legal manager, Strabag
After completing his studies, Claudiu Tampau joined Platis & Bazilescu, the law firm associated with Ernst & Young, where he worked until 2010. During that time, he gained valuable experience in corporate, real estate, and banking law.
In 2010, he joined White & Case, which later became Bondoc & Associates in 2014. His focus there was on energy, real estate, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and regulatory matters, dealing with both national and cross-border issues. This role helped him develop a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale projects and transactions.
In June 2016, he joined the in-house legal department of STRABAG Group Romania. His work primarily involves construction law and other legal areas relevant to the operations of the STRABAG Group. In parallel, he has taken a keen interest in renewable energy initiatives within the company.
In mid-2017, he began managing the internal legal department and had the opportunity to grow the team from two members in 2017 to an interdisciplinary group of 16 colleagues in 2025, including seven lawyers and six contract managers.
Starting in 2019, he also helped establish the internal legal department for STRABAG Group in Bulgaria. Since early 2023, he has been managing the internal legal departments across several countries, including Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. This role has allowed him to work on various legal matters while supporting operations across different jurisdictions, aligning legal strategies with STRABAG’s business objectives and ensuring compliance with local and international regulations.
In association with...
Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii is a leading Romanian independent law firm. Established in 1995, as one of the first incorporated partnerships, the firm brings together strong local resources, with exceptional credentials, outstanding records and distinguished careers in law, business and academia. The Bucharest office today groups over 80 qualified lawyers and tax advisors.
Focusing traditionally on the private sector and on foreign investment projects, Popovici Niţu Stoica & Asociaţii is a full scope law firm, operating more than 20 Practice Groups covering virtually all areas of legal expertise, from Corporate & Commercial to Energy & Natural Resources; Banking and Finance to Intellectual Property; from International Dispute Resolution to Mergers & Acquisitions and from Project Finance/PPP, Concessions & Infrastructure and Public Procurement to White Collar Compliance & Defence.
PNSA Dispute Resolution Practice Group handles thousands of cases while offering a true Claim Management Legal Suite, including legal risk hedging arrangements.