In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. As key steps, requirements, and timeline for becoming a Partner may vary from firm to firm, this time we asked: Does your firm have a formal Partnership Track and if yes, what does it involve?

JPM & Partners has advised Slovenia's Big Bang on its acquisition of Serbian online retailer BC Group. The Andric Law Office reportedly advised the sellers.

On 26 July 2023, the Serbian National Assembly adopted amendments to the Law on financial support for families with children.

In the ever-evolving world of technology, the boundaries of law are constantly being tested. With the most recent developments in generative AI (artificial intelligence – language and diffusion models), the boundaries of IP law are being tested to their absolute limits. A recent ruling by the United States District Court has brought to light a significant issue that could have implications everywhere in the world, across the spectrum of creative and knowledge industries.

The Serbian National Assembly adopted amendments to two key laws regulating the immigration status of foreigners in the Republic of Serbia – the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Employment of Foreigners.

In May 2023 the Government of the Republic of Serbia submitted the official Proposal of the Law on Amendments of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Serbia (the Proposal), which is currently in the process of deliberation within the National Assembly.

Schoenherr, working with Sullivan & Cromwell, has advised the Emirates Telecommunications Group Company – operating as E& – on its acquisition of a 50%-plus-one-share stake in PPF Telecom Group's assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia. White & Case and Karanovic & Partners advised the PPF Group on the up to EUR 2.5 billion sale and the setup of a joint venture with E&.

Karanovic & Partners has advised DS Smith on its acquisition of Serbian offset cardboard packaging and blister packaging company Bosis.

The Serbian parliament has adopted new amendments to the Law on Planning and Construction (“Construction Law”), introducing a series of novelties expected to significantly impact the construction industry, urban planning, and energy efficiency.

On Friday 21 July 2023, the Albanian Parliament adopted a law which legalizes medical cannabis and industrial hemp (“Cannabis Law”). The Cannabis Law allows licensed companies to cultivate and process cannabis and determines the criteria which must be met to obtain such a permit, but also regulates the cultivation process of the plant and the production of its by-products for medical and industrial purposes.

Karanovic & Partners has advised the OTP Group on its acquisition of the Ilirika Fund Management Company in Serbia.

In the long-awaited aftermath of the havoc caused by the CJEU’s decision (adopted in 2020 in the famous Schrems II case) to invalidate the previously existing EU-US Privacy Shield Framework, the European Commission adopted the adequacy decision promoting the new EU-US Data Privacy Framework (the “Framework”) on 10 July 2023.

Moravcevic, Vojnovic, and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr has advised OTP Group members OTP Bank Plc Hungary and OTP Bank Serbia on project financing for Pannonia Bio. Karanovic and Partners advised Pannonia Bio.

On 10 July 2023, the Agency for the Protection of Competition of Montenegro initiated a proceeding against the Association of Tourist Agencies of Montenegro for an alleged breach of the Competition Law.

The Public Enterprise for State Roads of North Macedonia (“PESR”) published an invitation for prequalification (“Invitation for Prequalification”) for works for the construction of a 10.5 km long sub–section of the TEN-T Route 6 Motorway (“Project”).

Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners has advised the Media Development Investment Fund and Pluralis on their acquisition of a minority stake in Croatia's Telegram Media Grupa. Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich advised Telegram Media Grupa.

On 30 June 2023, the web portal for freelancers operated by the Tax Administration was launched. 

ODI Law has advised Makedonski Telekom Skopje on insourcing 150 employees from the Macedonian subsidiary of Ericsson. Karanovic & Partners advised Ericsson.