Noted for its ‘high-quality legal advice’, the banking, finance and capital markets team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners demonstrates pre-eminence in asset finance. The team is regularly engaged as local counsel by major international names, as well as acting on Eurobond issuances involving Hungarian players, and advising Hungarian investors in outbound investments. Centering on the energy sector, the team’s project finance expertise sees it regularly assisting lenders with solar projects. As an English and Hungarian-qualified banking expert, practice co-head John Fenemore brings extensive cross-border capabilities across securitisation, trade finance and bond issuance to the team. As well as demonstrating expertise in banking and capital markets regulations, products and litigation, Fenemore’s co-head Szabolcs Mestyán heads up the firm’s aviation practice, supported by Balázs Rokob. Ágnes Ábrahám plays an active role in the team’s bond issuance transactions, including sovereign bond transactions. Pál Rahóty leads the financial regulatory team, while Gergely Kántor and Botond Horváth focus on corporate governance. Infrastructure financing is one of Gabriella Szabó’s areas of expertise. Péter Köves rounds out the roster of recommended names. In team news, January 2024 saw the arrival of Zsuzsanna Lukács from Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is providing invaluable professional support across all legal areas. They are very practical, effective and responsive. They are providing high-quality legal advice in a timely and professional manner, still with a very practical approach. Their advice is timely and supplements our thinking well.’
‘I'm working with Szabolcs Mestyán, John Fenemore and Gergely Kántor. Each team member has broad experience and deep understanding of the financial and capital markets regulations, and their knowledge in regulatory issues is also very much appreciated.’
'John Fenemore and Nóra Kertai were a pleasure to work with - affable and very commercial in getting the deal done under time pressure.'
Key clients
- Indotek Group
- Citibank
- PNC Bank
- Mercuria Energy Trading SA
- MFB Hungarian Development Bank
- JP Morgan
- Deutsche Bank
- ING
- CIT Bank
- CMB Financial Leasing
Work highlights
- Advised Eximbank Hungary on its issuance of $1,250m 6.125% notes due 2027 under Regulation S and Rule144A.
- Instructed as joint local counsel for Société Générale - as lender and facility agent - and Tokyo Century Corporation - as borrower and lessor - on a Japanese operating lease transaction involving three Airbus A321 neo aircraft on lease to Wizz Air Hungary and Wizz Air UK.
- Advised Leadec Group on the Hungarian aspects of the amendment and increase of an English law credit facility agreement entered into between Leadec Holdin- as borrower - UniCredit Bank - as facility agent - and UniCredit Bank, London Branch - as security agent.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Szabolcs Mestyán, John Fenemore