A double win for A&O CEE lawyers at the IFLR Europe Awards 2023

In particular, the A&O Czech team stood out this year for its work on both the international mortgage covered bond programme of UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia following the implementation of the EU Covered Bond Directive, and on the benchmark issuance and placement of EUR500 million mortgage covered bonds on the international capital markets.

A&O Poland’s win in 2023 is a reflection of its advisory work, in particular on the Saudi Arabian Oil Company’s investment in Poland’s refining, wholesale, and jet fuel marketing segments through a number of acquisitions from Polish oil refiner and fuel retailer PKN Orlen following its merger with Grupa Lotos, the acquisition of Emitel S.A. by Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited and the issuance of EUR500m of green covered bonds by PKO Bank Hipoteczny.

Arkadiusz P?dzich, CEE regional managing partner of Allen & Overy, commented: “This recognition is a clear indicator of our strong position in the CEE region. It reinforces our position as a leading firm for complex and innovative transactions in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.”

Petr Vybíral, partner and head of A&O’s finance practice in Prague, added: "We are delighted to be yet again recognised by IFLR with National Law Firm of the Year award for the Czech Republic. Receiving it for the fifth time in the past 10 years reflects our consistent excellence and innovation in advising our clients on complex and high-profile transactions requiring a novel approach. It is a testament to our commitment to think ahead and bring original solutions to our clients’ legal and commercial challenges."

Jaros?aw Iwanicki, partner and head of A&O’s corporate practice in Warsaw, commented: “We are thrilled to be recognised as the National Law Firm of the Year in Poland for a second time in a row. This award is a testament to the strength and depth of our corporate/M&A practice, which has successfully advised on some of the most significant and challenging deals in the market, despite the unprecedented circumstances of the past year”.

The National Law Firm of the Year awards recognise the firm with the best track record over 2022 of working on the most innovative cross-border transactions from the jurisdiction in question. The IFLR research team considers work across all the categories, and in order to win the firm must have an office in the relevant jurisdiction and must have provided local law advice on the cited projects.