Lithuania’s government has been active in constantly improving the business environment from a legal and tax perspective during the past several years, according to Triniti Partner Giedre Ciuladiene. With the recent change of the government in 2024, adjustments are expected in investment and tax policies, with potential effects on private equity, venture capital, stock options, and legal work around restructuring and deals.

Hungary’s real estate sector remains strong despite regulatory changes and delays in digital systems, according to Ban, S. Szabo, Rausch & Partners Partner David Kiss. Industrial projects and planned infrastructure around the nationalized airport may boost the economy, though growth is uncertain amid frozen EU funds.

Greece is booming in 2025, with robust investments across construction, hospitality, and energy sectors, according to Sardelas Petsa Managing Partner Panagiotis Sardelas, who stresses that digital infrastructure and capital markets are also gaining momentum.

Kosovo is in political limbo after the February elections, with stalled government formation affecting key decisions, according to Ardian Rexha, an Attorney at Law associated with Deloitte Kosova. At the same time, energy reforms and price hikes by the regulator are causing strong reactions from businesses and the public.

Cautious optimism defines the current mood in Estonia, as the country navigates modest economic growth alongside persistent geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, according to Ellex Partner Gerli Kivisoo, who reports subdued investor activity, ongoing tax debates, capital market shifts, and a growing M&A pipeline that suggests momentum may be gradually returning.

Latvia is seeing a rise in disputes and public infrastructure work, according to Klauberg Baltics Managing Partner Theis Klauberg. At the same time, corporate activity is slowing, as regional and global uncertainties reshape priorities for both firms and clients.

On February 19, 2025, CEE Legal Matters reported that Gecic Law advised on Telekom Srbija's acquisition of NetTV Plus, Total TV operations in Serbia and North Macedonia, and Western Balkans Sport Klub rights licenses from United Group.​ The transaction with a combined enterprise value of EUR 1.5 billion is one of the largest telecom sector deals in Serbia and the broader Balkans region’s history. With the deal recently closed after securing merger clearances in four jurisdictions (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia), Gecic Law Partners Bogdan Gecic, Ognjen Colic, and Miodrag Jevtic take a closer look at the deal.

North Macedonia’s new government has sparked a wave of legal and regulatory changes, with renewed competition enforcement while updates in consumer protection, energy, construction, and copyright raise new questions, according to Law Office Pepeljugoski Partner Ana Pepeljugoska.

Consumer-focused litigation, especially relating to Swiss loan credit contracts, has driven significant growth in dispute resolution practices in Slovenia since 2022, according to Ketler & Partners, member of Karanovic Partner Minu Anamaria Gvardjancic. With the courts adopting a very proactive stance and wide interpretation of the impact of EU case law increasingly asserting consumers’ rights, disputes are expected to continue expanding in the coming months.

Ukraine's infrastructure sector is experiencing heightened activity driven by urgent reconstruction needs and modernization efforts following the impact of the war with Kinstellar Partner Oleg Matiusha expressing cautious optimism over the significant opportunities awaiting investors as recovery efforts accelerate.

CMS Partners Horea Popescu, Alexander Rakosi, and Ryszard Manteuffel discuss the ebb and flow of M&A deals in CEE, highlighting that the M&A landscape experienced a significant drop in overall deal values prompting strategic shifts amid ongoing geopolitical and financing challenges.

Nestle South Eastern Europe Head of Legal & Compliance Natalia Lysa discusses her career, the rewards of working closely with business operations, and the challenges of navigating legal complexities during Ukraine’s war.

On January 16, 2025, competition experts from Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania, sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the evolving role of the regulatory authorities in their countries.

On November 14, 2024, banking and finance experts from Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Poland sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss digitalization and the impact of tech on the banking sector in CEE.

On November 7, 2024, M&A experts from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine participated in a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the FDI screening regimes in their country and key developments in the area on the horizon.

On February 29, 2024, energy experts from Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Turkiye, and Ukraine sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the key developments in the field of oil & gas over the past few years.

On March 26, 2024, TMT/IP, fintech, and emerging technology experts from Hungary, Romania, and Turkiye sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Neag to discuss how Blockchain-related technologies, businesses, and legislation are shaping up in their jurisdictions.

On November 21, 2023, corporate/M&A and private equity experts from Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkiye, and Ukraine sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the key developments in the field over the past decade.

In the legal industry, trust and credibility are foundational elements. Smaller firms that don’t yet have the name recognition of established brands have to build that trust from the ground up. So how can they go about it?

Big law firms can coast on boring slogans. They’ve got the clout, the infrastructure, and the impressive list of past clients to do the talking. But if you’re a smaller firm and your website sounds like everyone else’s, you are disappearing into the beige background of legal marketing noise.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019, takes effect on June 28, 2025. The Act requires a wide range of products and services – such as consumer electronics, vending machines, websites, and mobile apps – to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

In October-November 2024, we interviewed Ukrainian general counsels to understand current trends in engaging local counsels and use of legaltech in their day-to-day activity. Interviews were held to demonstrate to in-house lawyers, international law firms, and investors the most effective tools for selecting local counsel.

The EU’s AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive legislation on artificial intelligence, imposes the bulk of its due diligence obligations on companies that sell AI systems that are particularly risky for people’s health or fundamental rights.

Let’s be honest – most law firm websites aren’t exactly thrilling. In theory, they should exude expertise, professionalism, and credibility. In reality? Many are riddled with outdated designs and buzzword-filled copy that says a lot without actually saying anything. 

Lithuania’s government has been active in constantly improving the business environment from a legal and tax perspective during the past several years, according to Triniti Partner Giedre Ciuladiene. With the recent change of the government in 2024, adjustments are expected in investment and tax policies, with potential effects on private equity, venture capital, stock options, and legal work around restructuring and deals.

Hungary’s real estate sector remains strong despite regulatory changes and delays in digital systems, according to Ban, S. Szabo, Rausch & Partners Partner David Kiss. Industrial projects and planned infrastructure around the nationalized airport may boost the economy, though growth is uncertain amid frozen EU funds.

Greece is booming in 2025, with robust investments across construction, hospitality, and energy sectors, according to Sardelas Petsa Managing Partner Panagiotis Sardelas, who stresses that digital infrastructure and capital markets are also gaining momentum.

Kosovo is in political limbo after the February elections, with stalled government formation affecting key decisions, according to Ardian Rexha, an Attorney at Law associated with Deloitte Kosova. At the same time, energy reforms and price hikes by the regulator are causing strong reactions from businesses and the public.

In the legal industry, trust and credibility are foundational elements. Smaller firms that don’t yet have the name recognition of established brands have to build that trust from the ground up. So how can they go about it?

Cautious optimism defines the current mood in Estonia, as the country navigates modest economic growth alongside persistent geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, according to Ellex Partner Gerli Kivisoo, who reports subdued investor activity, ongoing tax debates, capital market shifts, and a growing M&A pipeline that suggests momentum may be gradually returning.