CEE Legal Matters, a leading publication covering the legal markets of Central and Eastern Europe, has announced the winners of its 2025 Deal of the Year Awards, recognising the most significant transactions across the region. The awards were presented at the annual Deal of the Year Awards Banquet held on 27 May 2026 in Bucharest. Since 2017, the event has celebrated standout legal professionals and law firms involved in landmark regional deals.
We are proud to share that three SEE Legal member firms – Kalo & Associates, Polenak Law Firm and Selih & partnerji – advised on award-winning transactions recognised among the most important deals in the region last year. Their involvement once again highlights the strength of regional cooperation and the ability of SEE Legal member firms to support clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions across Southeast Europe.
The recognised deals include:
- Financing for Viva Fresh’s Acquisition of Spar Albania – Albania
- Advised by Dentons and Kalo & Associates.
- Podravka’s Acquisition of Fortenova Group’s Agricultural Segment – Croatia
- Advised by BDK Advokati, CMS, DLA Piper, Gugic, Kovacic & Krivic, Kalo & Associates, Mamic, Peric, Reberski, Rimac, Miskovic & Miskovic, Pesut Galekovic Zgombic, Polenak Law Firm, Selih & partnerji, Squire Patton Boggs and Wolf Theiss.
- Grupo Bimbo’s Acquisition of Don Don Group – North Macedonia and Slovenia
- Advised by CMS, Crangasu Legal, Jadek & Pensa, Ketler & Partners, Qoku & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, Selih & partnerji and White & Case.
We extend our sincere congratulations to our member firms and all legal teams involved in these outstanding transactions and well-deserved recognitions. These awards once again demonstrate the depth of expertise, collaboration and cross-border capabilities present across the SEE Legal network.
The full list of awarded transactions is available on the CEE Legal Matters Deal of the Year Awards website.