Assistant general counsel, legal compliance, EMEA | Genpact
Director of legal and public affairs department and member of the executive committee | Up Romania
Legal manager, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia | STRABAG
Head of legal and secretariat general department | Bucharest Stock Exchange
Head of legal, regulatory and public affairs | MOL Romania
Corporate, external and legal affairs lead, Central Europe | Microsoft
Head of legal, pole agricole, Romania, Turkey, Croatia and Hungary | IPSO Agricultură
Legal counsel, Romania and Central and Southern Europe | Michelin Romania
Manager legal department, litigation and general corporate affairs | ING Bank Romania
Head of legal and general partner | Roca X Management
Legal and compliance lead, CEE | Haleon
General counsel, compliance officer and board secretary | Holcim Romania
Following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural edition, the Legal 500 is delighted to present the GC Powerlist: Romania 2024. This publication is dedicated to honouring and celebrating the outstanding achievements of the nation’s leading corporate counsel.
The GC Powerlist highlights the pivotal role that in-house legal professionals play in driving business success across Romania. It underscores their expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. This year’s edition places a spotlight on their remarkable accomplishments and innovative strategies as they navigate the country’s dynamic legal landscape. From addressing regional conflicts and embracing technological advancements to fostering diversity and inclusion and strengthening partnerships with business stakeholders, the honorees demonstrate exceptional adaptability and vision.
Inside this edition, readers will discover in-depth profiles and exclusive interviews with some of the most influential and respected general counsel in Romania, spanning diverse industries. These professionals consistently exemplify their ability to craft legal strategies, mitigate risks, and offer strategic guidance that propels their organisations forward. Their success stories are a source of inspiration for the broader legal community, illustrating the transformative impact in-house lawyers can have on business strategy and organisational growth.
Beyond individual achievements, this publication delves into critical themes and challenges shaping the corporate legal sector. It provides valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions, offering a comprehensive overview of Romania’s legal landscape. Through these narratives, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the extraordinary contributions of the in-house legal community.
We extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude to everyone featured in this year’s GC Powerlist: Romania. Their dedication and success exemplify the very best of the country’s legal talent. It is with great pride that we present this distinguished list of the country’s most exceptional and diligent in-house lawyers.
Francisco Faria e Castro  |  Research Editor  |  GC Powerlist Series
We are delighted to present the most influential in-house lawyers and legal teams in Romania!
The second edition of the GC Powerlist Romania highlights some of Romania’s most experienced GCs who excel at what they do, lead groundbreaking legal work and generally make a significant contribution to the success of their companies. They are not only great leaders, strategists and visionaries, but also valuable legal experts. They are mentors who build a positive culture, empower people to grow and develop, and guide their organisations in an ever-changing business environment. Through their dedication and hard work, they transform law and business every day.
We congratulate all the honourees on the GC Powerlist Romania and we are confident that more and more successful General Counsels and Chief Legal Officers will be recognised in future editions to give an even more complete picture of today’s legal talent.
Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații is proud to be the exclusive partner of The Legal 500 for its GC Powerlist Romania 2024!
On January 28th, after a long time in the making, the Legal 500 proudly brought its renowned GC Summit series to the Middle East. Held at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria in Dubai’s International Finance Centre, this milestone event gathered over 120 attendees, including some of the region’s foremost legal minds, leading law firms, and 27 distinguished guest speakers. Together, they tackled key challenges and emerging trends shaping the legal landscape in the Middle East, delivering insights of the highest calibre.
A Collaborative Effort
The event was made possible in association with our esteemed partners: CMS, Stephenson Harwood, Al Majd Law Firm, Nami Associates, and Qanooni, along with our valued networking sponsors, Greenberg Traurig, Afridi & Angell, DiliTrust, and Tribonian Law Advisors. With their support, the Legal 500 curated a dynamic agenda featuring five insightful panel discussions, each designed to address pressing issues facing in-house counsel today.
Setting the Stage
The conference commenced with a warm welcome from Francisco Castro, representing the Legal 500’s editorial team. In his opening remarks, Francisco highlighted the significance of launching the GC Summit series in Dubai, underscoring its role in uniting and fostering collaboration within the Middle East’s growing in-house legal community. He emphasised the importance of delivering tailored, high-quality content to enrich legal practices and support in-house counsel in navigating the complexities of their roles.
Panel Highlights
Legal Tech & AI in M&A Transactions
The first session, in association with CMS, explored the growing influence of legal technology – particularly AI – on M&A practices in the region. Moderated by Patrik Daintry, partner at CMS, the panel featured Karl Rogers (Standard Chartered Bank), Salma Miah (SS&C Intralinks), Donya Fredj (G42), and Joel Vertes (CMS). Together, they examined how AI-driven solutions enhance accuracy, mitigate risks, and streamline transactions, setting a forward-thinking tone for the rest of the summit.
Navigating M&A in Uncertain Times
The second session, presented in partnership with Stephenson Harwood, delved into the challenges of executing M&A deals amid economic and political uncertainty. Melissa Forbes-Miranda, partner at Stephenson Harwood, expertly moderated a discussion featuring Ed Reilly (Standard Chartered Bank), Sanjay Bhatia (Pinnacle IBP Management Consultancy), Ahmed Zaki (Al Hamra Group), Dolly Ramaiya (Truleum Venture Partners), Lydie Traore (Petromin Corporation), and Ali Tariq (CapitalH). Panellists provided strategic insights on risk mitigation
and opportunity maximisation in an unpredictable global landscape – an especially timely discussion as 2025 approaches with its own set of uncertainties.
Networking & Engagement
Following these initial compelling sessions, attendees enjoyed a networking lunch, sponsored by Tribonian Law Advisors. This break provided an opportunity for participants to engage in deeper discussions on the morning’s topics, connect with peers, and explore the law firm exhibits in the networking area.
Investing in Qatar: Legal & Business Landscape
Post-lunch, the third session, in collaboration with Al Majd Law Firm, provided a comprehensive look at investment opportunities in Qatar. Moderated by Mira Adra (Al Majd Law Firm), the discussion featured Bashar Hanna El Nashef (Al Majd Law Firm), Taki Eddine Sahbi (Ariane Holding), Dr. Zain Al-Abedin Sharar (Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center), and Hamad Al Nasr (Ministry of Commerce and Industry). Panellists outlined key investment prospects, regulatory requirements, and legal frameworks designed to protect investors while fostering economic growth in a country that offers so much to potential investors.
Legal Trends in Iran’s Healthcare & FMCG Sectors
The fourth session, held in partnership with Nami Associates, focused on legal developments affecting Iran’s healthcare and FMCG industries. Brilliantly moderated by Shahram Safai (Afridi & Angell), the discussion featured Behnam Khatami, Sanaz Hosseini-Kolahi, and Mansour Vesali (Nami Associates), alongside Mohammad Mostofinejad (Nestlé). Esteemed speakers shared practical insights on navigating regulatory complexities, emerging opportunities, and key challenges for international businesses in these sectors.
Generative AI: Enhancing Productivity in Legal Teams
Following a short networking coffee break, the final panel, in association with Qanooni, explored the transformative role of generative AI in corporate legal departments. Moderated by Ziyaad Ahmed (Qanooni AI), speakers Diwakar Agarwal (Stephenson Harwood), Yosr Hamza (Gartner), and Sophie Best (Knowledge Nexus) engaged the audience in a highly interactive discussion. The session provided actionable insights on leveraging AI to optimise legal workflows, improve efficiency, and drive innovation within in-house teams.
A Memorable Conclusion
The conference concluded with a compelling closing speech by Tarek Nakkach, director and general counsel, MEA at Kyndryl. He reflected on the evolution of the in-house legal profession, emphasising the crucial role of technology in modern legal operations. His remarks reinforced the importance of community-driven events like the GC Summit in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the legal industry.
Looking Ahead
On behalf of the Legal 500, we extend our sincere gratitude to our esteemed partners and attendees for making this event a resounding success. We eagerly anticipate returning later this year for the launch of the GC Powerlist: Middle East 2025, our flagship publication celebrating the region’s leading in-house counsel.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to support and spotlight the exceptional legal talent in the Middle East!
