Established in 1995 and based in Belgrade, Karanovic & Partners, originally Karanović & Nikolić, is a large firm by local standards, employing more than 50 lawyers, 16 of whom are partners. It has an international network, working in association with firms in Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm’s large regional network makes it an ideal firm to act on the region's largest deals.
In finance work the firm has a good reputation in the renewable energy sector having advised the lenders on the financing of the largest wind farm in the Western Balkans. The firm also advises a mix of international investment groups and local banks on real estate financing transactions.
In M&A the firm is also often mandated by large private equity investors and international corporations to advise on the high value acquisitions or sales in the region. Its strong team of corporate and finance lawyers mean it is able to handle both acquisition and the financing aspects of deals as evident by its role in the acquisition of Telenor.
The firm’s other project work sees it advising foreign funds and energy companies on developing projects in Serbia.
Recent staffing changes include the recruitment of Tijana Arsenijević, a senior associate in banking and finance coming from Joint Law Office Marić In Cooperation With Kinstellar.
Key clients
Among its clients are Mars Serbia, OTP Banka, OTP Hungary, Digital Serbia Initiative, Bel Medic, USAID, EFSE, GGF, KfW Bankengruppe, Serbian Entrepreneurship Foundation and Abris Capital Partners.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
During the research period the firm was active in financial and corporate, and project development.
In financial and corporate it was most active in corporate and M&A and it advised acquirers and sellers on acquisitions in a wide range of industries, including banking, agriculture, healthcare, consumer goods and services, and technology. Its finance practice also includes advising borrowers and lenders on direct financing and acquisition financing.
In project development it advised mostly project developers on projects in a wide range of industries, especially in energy, mining and construction and materials.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Banking and finance
"Karanovic & Partners continues to display a high level of professionalism in all matters we cooperate on. They are extremely experienced in the financial sector and have a large team of lawyers who are always accessible, committed and responsive. In addition, they are able to provide advice across SEE region, which is highly valuable to us who do business in the region. They always go above and beyond for our deals and provide partner attention to all transactions, which is another great value of this company."
"Since it was presentation on Annual Legal Conference their positive attributes are: availability, accessibility, professionality, eloquence, whiling to share knowledge."
"Karanovic & Partners continually provides an exceptional level of legal support in all matters we cooperate on. They are always highly involved and reliable, giving partner attention to transactions. This has proven to be crucial in all successful projects we have done together."
"Their team of lawyers has immense experience and is always committed and responsive. One of their key strengths is lawyers’ extensive knowledge in specific industries, which makes them well positioned to cater to various business needs for all transactions in the SEE region."
"Strong professional approach.”
“Excellent sense for customer needs."
"They were willing to share their experience with us, very practical one's."
Financial services regulatory
"They are very professional and competent in the area they assisted us and even though as a company they have been selected by our group, we can confirm that our local counterparties are very professional.”
"High level of professionalism, timelines respecting, wide range of knowledge and expertise, clear communication."
Insolvency
"They are clear and to the point in responding the requests regarding the local legislations in North Macedonia in comparison with International Construction Law."
Investment funds
"Professional, commercial, knowledgeable."
M&A
"They were the best law firm i have ever used for local law issues. they were incredibly responsive and hard working. they solved complex lsssues. they did vast amounts of work efficiently. they were available at all hours."
"Their team consisted of consummate professionals that were incredibly attentive to our needs and requirements. All the tasks they were given were completed in an excellent, professional, and timely manner."
Project development
"High level of professionalism."
"Business minded."
"Responsive and easy to work with."
"Karanovic & Partners, especially our key contact Kevin Rihtar, were very responsive, knowledgeable and business-wise very pragmatic."
They are quite responsive and provide sufficient legal advice by determining probable risks and the recent legal developments in the region."
"Comprehensive analysis of the permitting process, status quo of the project and valuable recommendations."
"Their expertise and promptness."
Restructuring
"Karanovic & Partners (through Anisa Rrumbullaku guidance) managed the whole process and guided us to the desired outcomes. Anisa apart from providing the legal advice that we required, coordinated all parties (external accountants, payroll providers, tax authorities etc etc) in order to get/deliver the required documents each time, leading to a smooth and without many issues management of the liquidation process."
Tijana Arsenijević
“Senior Associate Tijana Arsenijević greatly contributes to the banking & finance team as well and is someone we enjoy working with. She is a good lawyer and always very responsive, communicative and goes out of her way to assist with any issues we might have.”
Marko Ćulafić
“I also want to mention Marko Ćulafić, Senior Associate from the corporate department. Marko has great experience in mergers and acquisitions and was a highly valuable contributor to the matters we worked on. His proactive attitude, prompt responsiveness and professionalism proved to be great assets to us.”
Amina Dugum
“She perfectly understood our company's request and immediately followed throughout the process of due diligence.”
Dimitrije Ilić
“We have also cooperated with Dimitrije Ilić, an Associate in the banking & finance team.
He has always been very responsive and eager to help us with any matters in question. He is a hardworking lawyer with a very pragmatic approach."
Miloš Jakovljević
“Partner Miloš Jakovljević is another excellent lawyer we work with at Karanovic & Partners. He is a member of the corporate department who always provides strong technical yet commercial and creative solutions for our issues. He is very knowledgeable and has great insight of the market and the industry. In this past year, we cooperated on investment fund acquisition.”
Maja Jovančević Šetka
"Partner Maja is an extremely professional and highly skilled, solution-oriented lawyer and an absolute joy to work with. She possesses great knowledge of the banking & finance sector and the industry. She is always on top of her game and knows how to handle every regulatory issue that comes up. Maja is a real star, very personable and easy to work with.”
"Available in reasonable time frame, undisputable involved in banking and finance matter both domestic and international, reliable, trustworthy.”
“Serious, reliable, concrete, smart, easy going in communication, supportive.... beside the main subject of cooperation, she provides us always with some value added services.”
"Partner Maja is a highly skilled, resourceful and solution-oriented lawyer who has a very practical approach to matters we work on. She not only superbly handles any regulatory issues that come up in Serbia but is also able to provide advice on jurisdictions in the region when the need arises. She understands our needs well and is very proactive in thinking strategically in order to minimise all possible risks. She is very dedicated to all matters we work on together.”
“In addition to Maja, we have also been engaged with Darko Jovanović, a Senior Partner in the banking & finance department and the Managing Partner in the company. He is very committed and meticulous and does an incredible job of managing the work and the processes, efficiently handling all the challenges that arise.
He is always focused on the final outcome of the matter in question and is an utterly devoted professional and solution-oriented lawyer.”
"She is our the most favorable attorney at law because of her professionalism, communication skills and very good sense for our needs.”
"Ability and willingness to share knowledge in green energy financing issues.”
“Professional, commercial, knowledgeable, responsive.”
"She is great professional and remarkable person.”
Ana Kashirska
“Solution oriented and responsive.”
Vesna Ložak Polanec
“Proactive with sense to details. I am generally very satisfied with her services.”
“Promptness, great communication, expertise.”
Bozidar Milosevic
“Very responsive, smart and clear.”
“Extremely knowledgeable about all areas of law. Incredibly hard working. Available at all hours.”
Veton Qoku
“Veton Qoku has proven his exceptional expertise in North Macedonian Law with his work on the creation of a due diligence report, during one of the cases in which both of our law offices were involved. His attention to detail, professionalism, and strong communication skills were essential to the success of the project. Veton's ability to navigate complex legal issues, provide insightful analysis and produce accurate and comprehensive reports were truly impressive. Overall, Veton is a highly knowledgeable and reliable legal professional who excels in his field, and I would highly recommend him for any legal work in North Macedonia.”
Kevin Rihtar
“Kevin impressed us with his responsiveness, legal knowledge and his ability to apply it to our actual business needs.”
Anisa Rrumbullaku
"She is clear and talkative about the status of the project, the risks and the legal approach of the topics. She is also willing to go the extra mile and do some coordination/project management which really speed up the process as she was the expert and she knew want was needed for each topic.”
“Professional communication and strong expertise.”
Antun Skansi
“Good listener and explainer, articulate.”
