Bardek, Lisac, Mušec, Skoko in association with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH (Austria)

The five-strong banking and finance team at Bardek, Lisac, Mušec, Skoko in association with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH (Austria) is one of the largest and most specialised in Croatia. Boasting two English law-qualified solicitors, they are recognised as one of the top firms in the country for banking and finance, and are frequently mandated to work on the largest transactions. With an internationally focused and enviable client base, the team has veteran grade experience advising clients in cross-jurisdictional transactions across acquisition finance, regulatory compliance, crypto and fintech, and cross-border restructurings. Amongst the most significant recent deals worked on by the practice, the team advised the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) landmark green and blue loan of up to EUR 200m to a leading Croatian hotel company. The transaction was the the first blue loan in Croatia’s tourism sector, and also one of the biggest deals in Croatia in 2024. The practice carried out high-level legal due diligence, drafted and negotiated the security documents, and conducted a thorough analysis of the English law loan agreement. The transaction also necessitated working in conjunction with the firm’s real estate department, in a cross-practice exchange of expertise. The team is led by 'exceptional legal practitioner' Jelena Nushol Fijačko, who has particular experience with managing non-performing loan transactions in Croatia and across the SEE region. Jelena is frequently assisted by the 'meticulous' Relja Rajković.