Maja Žgajnar

Maja Žgajnar is a partner in the global law firm CMS Law Tax, where she heads the banking & finance practice in Slovenia. She has been working as a lawyer for 19 years, and has held senior positions in renowned international law firms in the CEE region over the last 13 years. Her focus is on distressed debt transactions; financial and corporate restructurings; sale and purchase of NPL-s; and insolvency. In addition to these, she has a lot of experience in structuring financing transactions (acquisition financing; leveraged buy-outs; refinancing to name a few). 

Among other major regional projects, Maja was involved in some of the highest-profile transactions in the Slovenian market that set the precedent for many following debt restructuring transactions in Slovenia. More specifically, her portfolio includes: (I) the first major financial restructuring of a multi sector business in Slovenia involving 20 banks in 2009 (nearly EUR 1bn of loan debt); (II) financial restructuring of Slovenia's largest beverage manufacturer/distributor in 2014 (EUR 370mn of loan debt); (III) the first sale of an NPL portfolio on the Slovenian market in 2014; (IV) the largest single ticket loan sale transaction of the Slovenian bank assets management company DUTB d.d. in 2015 (face value over EUR 180mn).

Maja regularly speaks at international conferences focusing on distressed debt and company turnarounds and restructurings. She has been singled out as a leading banking & finance lawyer in Slovenia by IFLR1000 in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, and she has been described by her clients in other legal directories as “having a strong understanding of the financial drivers of deals”, and “whose attention to detail and focus on potential risks, is invaluable“ and “her experience with loans transactions and sharp focus on delivery places her above the local competition“. 

As an international organisation with clients and employees spanning a multitude of countries, cultures and professions, diversity and inclusion are of a fundamental importance to CMS.

CMS’ commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion is broad, and encompasses the following:

• developing and supporting a diverse workplace in which all are welcome regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age.
• creating an environment that encourages new ways of thinking and working, and values the contributions and perspectives of all – especially those with experience, ideas and work styles different from our own.
• supporting all staff with a broad range of policies, practices and procedures which recognise individual contribution and performance, develop each individual's capability and give everyone an equal opportunity to use their talent and fulfil their potential.
• providing a workplace free from discrimination, harassment and bullying, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

All CMS member firms are committed to promotong diversity and inclusion as outlined in the CMS diversity statement. Each member firm develops it’s own local policies and initiatives to fulfil this commitment.

• Advised one of the biggest Slovenian banks on selling their NPL portfolio (face value EUR 325mn).
• Advised three investment funds in separate deals on an acquisition of a part of the senior and super senior debt of the biggest Slovenian retailer (face value of the senior and super senior debt EUR 500mn).
• Advised an international bank on leveraged buy-out financing transaction (EUR 100mn). 
• Advised an international bank on real estate development financing and refinancing transaction (EUR 219mn).
• Advised an international bank on two real estate acquisition financing transactions in 2019 (both above EUR 50mn).

• Managers’ Association of Slovenia.

• Attorney-at Law, Studied at University of Maribor, Slovenia (2001).