Without question Zuric i Partneri is one of those firms that dominates the legal landscape in Croatia. "Zuric are leaders that deserve to be there....
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Without question Zuric i Partneri is one of those firms that dominates the legal landscape in Croatia. "Zuric are leaders that deserve to be there... but we did see departures from Zuric," says one peer. The clearest example was the loss of partner Branimir Skurla. However the firm has bolstered its team with the recruitment of four junior lawyers.
Ratko Zuric is a dominant figure on the market who commands respect from his peers. "Zuric is a legend of the market," says one partner, but adding that he "will be leaving and is advising a little [less] he's not really active".
This year, the firm advised INA (a major Croatian oil and gas company) in its issuance of €200 million in convertible bonds and Société Générale - Splitska banka in €352 million in secured term and revolving loan facilities to Agrokor (as part of the refinancing of an Euroloan to the largest Croatian agricultural and retail group).
Additionally, the firm advised Siemens and Clifford Chance in the carve-out of Siemens IT solutions and services (part of one of the most complex global corporate transactions in 2010). Finally, the firm advised a syndicate of banks led by Erste Group Bank in the €100 million refinancing of the biggest Croatian food processing industry Podravka. This occurred within tight deadlines due to a crisis caused to the company by the arrest and fraud indictments against most of its board members.
The firm acts as special legal counsel to the Croatian National Bank and frequently advises a number of other local and international banks, financial institutions and corporates. It has a strong record in banking sector M&A and in mid-2011 it was busy working on the acquisitions of two Croatian banks.
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