North Macedonia

IFLR1000 Reviews

Financial and corporate
Polenak Law Firm

Polenak is an independent North Macedonia full-service firm established in 1946 and based in Skopje. It has a team of four partners and 10 associates.

 

Focusses / sectors

The firm is experienced in banking work, especially on the side of the lender, and in M&A, including recently on deals in the healthcare sector.

 

Key clients

The firm's key clients include A1 Telecom, Adient, Deutsche Telekom Group, Diaverum, EBRD (European bank for reconstruction and development) and the Enterprise Expansion Fund.

 

Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period the firm has been active in banking and finance, capital markets, and corporate and M&A.

In banking the firm advised institutional investors and lenders on senior unsecured loans, and syndicated loans. In project financing it advised the borrower, the investor, the developer mainly on energy and renewable energy projects.

In capital markets it advised on private placement and sovereign bond issue.

In corporate and M&A it worked on behalf of the investor, the acquirer and targets on transfers of shares, mergers, joint-ventures, and equity investments.

 

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)  

Infinum €1.4 million acquisition of an IT company

Van Hool €200 million refinancing

Varus €2.6 million financing

 

Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Project development

"They have a meticulous method of legal work and the ability to analyse the matter thoroughly. In addition, they have a good command of the practice and provide guidance that is not only technically but also practically correct."

 

Aleksandar Dimic        

"He is very detail-orientated and time-efficient. He is available by phone or email for any urgent issues, he is more than capable of prioritising the issues and provide advice considering the risk factors."

Apostolska & Partners

Apostolska & Partners is a North Macedonian law firm established in 2009 by Emilija Apostolska-Temov and Igor Aleksandrovski. The firm is based in Skopje.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a focus on financial services, regulatory and restructuring work but is also active in project development.

  

Key clients 

Among the clients of the firm are Colgate-Palmolive Adria, Smart Money Solutions, Phoenix Pharma, Apave, DS Smith and Strabag. 

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Financial services regulatory 

"Complete compliance with all the laws and regulations concerning our work." 

 

Project development: Technology and telecommunications 

"Apostolska Aleksandrovski & Partners are a versatile, highly knowledgeable law firm with lots of experienced attorneys. We have been cooperating with them since founding of our regional network SELA back in 2016, and the effort they put in for every project is extraordinary. They are always on time and always act in the client’s best interest." 

Debarliev Dameski & Kelesoska

Founded in 2013, Debarliev Dameski & Kelesoska is a corporate law firm with an office in Skopje. It has a team of 12 lawyers.  

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm provides legal services in the area of financial and corporate law.   

 

Key clients 

Among the clients of the firm is Liberty Steel Group.  

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

M&A 

"The team at Debarliev Dameski & Kelesoska provide very responsive and practical support and were a pleasure to work with on a complex transaction involving a significant North Macedonian element.

Georgi Dimitrov Attorneys

Georgi Dimitrov Attorneys is a North Macedonian law firm established in 1997. The firm is led by its founder Georgi Dimitrov and is based in Skopje.  

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a focus on M&A work.

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Project development 

"Georgi Dimitrov Attorneys have proven to be very reliable and precise. With them, there is no need for detailed instructions of what the client requires they got it.  Their in-depth knowledge of the legal surroundings in their jurisdiction and the region enable them to look beyond the norms and provide the full aspect of business advice and overall transactional support." 

"They were always very reliable and professional. They know their business and with them on our side we feel safe and comfortable that things will be done properly and within time." 

Karanović & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers

Karanović & Partners is a corporate law firm with an office in Skopje. It is part of the international law firm Karanovic & Partners which was established more than 25 years ago and works with more than 100 cooperating lawyers spread across seven jurisdictions.  

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is active in financial and corporate, and in project development. It is particularly experienced in advising on the construction and development of projects in the renewable energy, transport and real estate sectors.  

   

Key clients 

Among the clients of the firm are Halkbank, Interenergo, Volution Group, Veton Qoku, Stripe, NGE, Kolektor TurboinštitutHerring, EBRD, Voltalia and KaltunMadencilik. 

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Project development 

"Good understanding of the ins and outs of the project, interpretation and repercussions vis-à-vis local laws, responsiveness, availability." 

"Prompt, professional and thorough in their research and advice." 

Konstantinovic & Miloševski

Founded in 2005, Konstantinović & Miloševskiis a corporate law firm with an office in Skopje. It is a founding member of Lexcellence, a legal network of legal services providers with more than 100 attorneys who operate in south-eastern Europe.  

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is active in financial and corporate, and in project development.  

   

Key clients 

Among the clients of the firm are4ward, Mar Medika Kumanovo, Kodera, DB Schenker Skopje, I&F Group Serbia, SVOD Master, International Law Solutions, Sumo Logic,Iute Credit Macedonia, Iute Credit Europe, GlaxoSmithKline Export and Aspekt. 

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Banking and finance 

"Always available, fast and responsive, very thorough and flexible, incredibly trustworthy and one of our biggest partners."

 

Project development 

"Dedicated team which responds to our needs in quick and efficient way." 

Law Office Cakarovska

Law Office Cakarovska is a North Macedonian law firm established by Danche Cakarovska and baseed in Skopje.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is active in financial and corporate work.

 

Client Feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)

Financial services regulatory

"Professional, proactive, responsive and diligent. "

"They always give us timely advice; they are very dedicated in their work."

 

Project development

"Professional and fast execution of requests."

 

Restructuring: Corporate

"Timely and very fast service, employees always professional and with great legal knowledge. Highly recommended for labour law, property and business law."

"On time, knowledgeable, possessed strong expertise and were client oriented."

 
Papazoski and Mishev Law Firm

Founded in 2015, Papazoski and Mishev Law Firm is a corporate law firm with an office in Skopje.  

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is active on financial and corporate matters.  

   

Key clients 

Among the clients of the firm is Generali Investments.  

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Project development 

"Competent and hardworking; very strong, cross-referenced advice." 

 

PPP/PFI 

"Very responsive. Good quality work that is clear and considered." 

Popovski & Partners

Founded in 2019, Popovski & Partners is a corporate law firm with an office in Skopje.  

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm does financial and corporate work. 

   

Key clients 

Among the clients of the firm is Fortenova Group.      

Schoenherr

Schoenherr North Macedonia is a country desk, based in Skopje, of the international law firm Schoenherrwhich was founded in 1950 and has a team of more than 250 offices spread across 15 offices, with four country desks in Central and Eastern Europe.                        

                   

Focusses / specialisms 

Schoenherr is active in North Macedonia in all areas of financial and corporate law, and in project development.  

   

Key clients 

Among the clients of the firm are United Media, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Peugeot, Stellantis, NELT, Daimler Truck Holding, Smurfit Kappa Italia, Phoenix Pharmahandel, GEIH, EDF, CIAK Auto, Lidl and Solarpro Holding. 

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Project development 

"Precise, always ahead of schedule, competent, knowledgeable, solution-oriented, collaborative, professional, dedicated." 

 

Restructuring 

"I am most impressed by the Macedonian team for how fast, responsive and diligent they are in providing their assistance and advice."