Global market leading firm A&O Shearman (the result of the Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merger in May 2024) leverages the experience of its team to advise domestic and multinational financial institutions and corporates involved in high-value, cross-border transactions. The group’s comprehensive offering covers matters ranging from leveraged, acquisition, project and real estate finance to capital markets deals involving debt, equity and derivative instruments. The team is jointly led by Renátus Kollár, who brings 20 years of experience to restructuring and insolvency matters; Attila Csongrády, who displays strength in assisting banks and borrowers with English law-governed banking and finance transactions; loans and restructuring expert Matúš Kudlák; and capital markets specialist Peter Jedinák. Other key names include Peter Redo, Matúš Kudlák and Ján Deset.

Noted for its ‘top-level professional and client-oriented advice’, CMS provides a comprehensive service covering banking, capital markets and financing matters ranging from advice on the financing of top-end corporate transactions, projects commissioned by international private equity funds and local investors to financial restructuring and litigation. Juraj Fuska and Peter Šimo co-lead the practice, with Fuska displaying skill in capital market transactions on behalf of corporates and government bodies, while Šimo draws on a extensive track record in financings for banks and investors, whilst advising clients in both the Slovak and Austrian markets. Zuzana Nikodémová is noted for her experience in AML advice, financing structures and the support of fintech clients; Natália Jánošková is also a key name.

Dentons covers a full spectrum of instructions within banking, finance and capital markets, with the team representing both lenders and borrowers in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. Patricia Gossányiová leads the practice and has a track record in managing complex cross-border and domestic matters involving syndicated lending transactions, debt instruments and debt restructuring. Miroslav Kapinaj focuses on a broad range of services including PPP projects and real estate financings. Petra Štrbová is skilled in advising both lenders and borrowers in acquisition financing matters and also advises Slovak banks on syndicated and bilateral loan transactions. Radoslav Pálka is noted for his experience in assisting with matters dealing with debt issuances covering sovereigns as well as investment grade and high-yield corporate bond issuances.

Kinstellar is noted for its expertise in finance and capital markets transactions, with the practice covering a broad range of services including acquisition finance, leveraged and non-leveraged loans, energy finance and financial markets regulation. The team has been strengthened through its acquisition of Noerr’s practices across the region, including in Budapest and Prague. Tomáš Melišek leads the practice and is experienced in PPP projects and real estate finance, while Dominika Bajzáthová's expertise extends to fintech-related matters. Michaela Straková is another key name.

BBH advokátska kancelária, s.r.o. is active in advising banks, financial institutions and debtors with the financing of multi-jurisdictional transactions, bond issues, syndicated and bilateral facility agreements and day-to-day advice. The practice is co-led by Miroslav Fašung, who is experienced in handling acquisition and project finance, and Matej Blahút, who specialises in corporate lending and leveraged financing for domestic and international clients. Vladimir Policka is noted for his support with financing transactions in the CEE and in the Balkans.

Cechová & Partners advises a wide range of clients in the financial services sector, including international and Slovak banks in matters covering loan transactions, financial product transactions, as well as reorganisations and project finance matters. Regulatory finance expert Simona Halakova leads the practice, bringing expertise to financial intermediation, securities trading and payment and e-money services, while Michaela Jurková specialises in financing transactions on collective investment schemes and the trading of financial instruments. Miroslav Zaťko and Ján Vigano are other key names.

RELEVANS Law Firm aids clients by providing a broad legal offering within the banking and finance sector, with services including drafting and negotiating contracts related to loans and mortgages, preparing documentation for security instruments and guarantees and advising on their regulatory aspects for local and international banks. Marián Masarik leads the practice and specialises in advising clients on the issuance of bonds and project financing, also an area of expertise for Martina Vida, who covers refinancing.

With ‘specialist expertise in the insurance sector,’ Wolf Theiss is experienced in representing a range of international and local clients across the CEE region, including investors, lenders, borrowers and sponsors. The team covers a broad service including leveraged finance, real estate finance and project finance, which head of the practice Rudolf Pfeffer excels at, alongside covering loan portfolio disposals and aircraft finance matters. The department also covers financial regulatory matters, having advised international clients on issues related to MIFID II, CRD IV, PSD2 and AML.

Barger Prekop s.r.o. specialises in advising banking and aviation clients regulatory issues that arise in transactions, including advising domestic and international banks on matters relating to the charging of negative interests in OTC transactions and investment restructuring. Erik Seman and Adrian Barger lead the team, while Lucia Pap Pressburgerova has led on financing matters for a variety of clients in the banking and private equity sector. Roman Prekop and Alfred Krasko are other key names.

Led by Igor Augustinič in Slovakia and David Vosol in the Czech Republic, bpv Braun Partners s.r.o. advokáti covers a range of services across the CEE region including transaction and financing structure advice to asset finance, project finance and regulatory issues. Monika Kardošová and Zuzana Dzilská are other key names.

Led by Dagmar Yoder, Deloitte Legal s. r. o. provides a broad coverage in ESG issues within the financial services sector for international and domestic clients, and benefits from its strategic partnership with domestic banks in the Slovak Republic. The firm offers a multi-disciplinary approach, combining its expertise with colleagues from its consulting, financial advisory, tax, audit and risk management departments to provide clients with a full service in their matters. Róbert Minachin and Veronika Patúšová are other key names.

DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach Rechtsanwälte GmbH, organizačná zložka is active in handling cross border financial transactions, project financing structures and securitisation agreements for a range of clients including international financial institutions, corporations and banks. Head of the department Michaela Stessl  is noted for her ‘profound knowledge’ in transactions for clients in the space and defence sector. Radislav Bibel assists clients with preparing transfer pricing documentation and advising on any issues that may come up.

Hillbridges provides clients with a broad range of services within the banking, finance and capital markets sphere, with a focus on niche financing, capital markets transactions and cross-border financing deals for international banks and foreign clients. The team is also noted for their capabilities in acting as trusted counsel to local borrowers in refinancing and new financing arrangements. Martin Čabák and Zoran Draškovič spearhead the practice, with Čabák having led the team on a variety of issues including advising on debt restructuring and refinancing deals, while Draškovič is a key name.

Ružička & Partners s.r.o. provides a broad service within banking and finance ranging from advising on payment services and payment institutions, to all aspects of financing and refinancing. cross-border transactions and project finance. Dana Nemčíková co-heads the practice and advises financial and insurance companies on their investments and project restructurings, while Ján Hanko also co-leads the practice and focuses on servicing clients in issues relating to payment and investment services, securities and corporate financing. Peter Ružička was promoted to partner in July 2024 and specialises in banking litigation.

Schönherr Rechtstanwälte GmbH, o.z. (Schoenherr Slovakia) specialises in advising clients on a full range of transactional services, ranging from international transactions to capital market transactions, as well as those in the energy and renewables space. Sona Hekelova heads the team and covers a variety of financial transactions for clients in the financial services sector, while Michal Lučivjanský is experienced in financial regulatory matters.

Led by Roman Hamala, HKV Law Firm s.r.o. advises local and international clients on issues that arise during their transactions, corporate financing, refinancing and PPP projects. Maroš Čorba is noted for his expertise in the laws surrounding start-ups and venture capital transactions.

Noted for its ‘expertise in qualified investment funds and their financing’, L/R/P advokáti, s.r.o. is experienced in handling a broad range of work centred on investment funds and financing, having aided clients with innovative investment instruments including virtual currencies, trust funds and mutual funds. Rastislav Roško co-leads the practice alongside Tomáš Lysina, and Tomáš Vall assists the partners in the administration of Slovak and foreign investment funds.

‘Offering a distinctive blend of extensive expertise and swift execution’, Stentors provides a comprehensive service across a full spectrum of banking and finance transactions, with the team acting on behalf of lenders including banks, financial institutions and leasing companies. Michal Hulena leads the practice and advises on services relating to venture capital funds, as well as both international and regional equity. Andrea Obuchová and Ľudmila Jurčová are other key names.

Providing a global service across seventeen jurisdictions, Taylor Wessing Slovakia continue to advise clients on a broad range of services, ranging from investment management and financings to structured financing arrangements and real estate transactions. The firm routinely services banks, financial institutions, investment funds and borrowers, with head of the team Peter Malovec covering cross-border transactions and joint ventures. Silvia Hlavačková  combines her expertise in banking and finance with real estate law.

Bartošík Šváby s.r.o. (former BS Legal s.r.o.) assists clients with obtaining and maintaining bank loans for various projects, as well as offering expertise in acquisition, investment and project financing for Slovak and international clients. Peter Bartošík leads the practice.

Beatow Partners s.r.o provides international clients with advice regarding their transactional activity in the Slovak Republic, as well as providing services related to issues that have come up in the post-Brexit era. Oliver Weber leads the department and is experienced in advising on financial and operational leases, as well as the regulatory aspects accompanying them.

bnt attorneys in CEE provides cross-border services across the CEE region, with capabilities in advising clients in German, English and Slovak. Zuzana Chudáčková leads the team, and Roman Gašparík benefits from his prior experience working in a bank.

Eversheds Sutherland, advokátní kancelár, s.r.o. provides legal support in financing matters ranging from acquisition financing, to syndicated financing, project financing and real estate financing. Bernhard Hager leads the practice, while Annamária Tóthová, Katarína Brath Liebscherová and Ján Macej are other key names.

Established in 2023, Ments attorneys comprises of experienced individuals covering services relating to advising on the regulatory frameworks in the banking and finance space, to advising borrowers on transactions and loan agreements. Martin Koša, who joined the firm from HKV Law Firm s.r.o. in November 2023 leads the practice, with Lukáš Michálik and Šimon Hora being other key contacts.

SOUKENÍK – ŠTRPKA, s. r. o. covers banking, finance and insurance matters for clients across the CEE region, with services ranging from advice on syndicated loan agreements to preparing loan and security documentation. Marek Benko and Milan Gocník both lead the team and specialise in insurance and financial intermediation.