Albu Morar is a white-collar crime specialist boutique that has, since its inception in 2020, quickly established itself as one of Romania's go-to choices in the field. The majority of the firm's clients are multinational heavyweights with cases in Romania and the vastly experienced team is well versed in the full range of work at every level of court. Practice co-head Gabriel Albu's 'depth of knowledge in his field is a significant asset', drawing on experience at multinational law firms, as well as in independent practice, focusing specifically on white-collar crime upon founding Albu Morar. Alongside him in leading the department is former judge of the Constitutional Court of Romania, Daniel Morar, who joined the firm in November 2022. Mihai Lemnaru concentrates his practice on pre-trial investigations of tax evasion, money laundering, and corruption, with heavy involvement recently in cyber crime matters. Mihai Morar is a further key contact, assisting companies, stakeholders and individuals with complex criminal cases.

A regular fixture at the top of the Romanian white-collar crime market over the past decade, boutique firm Budusan & Asociatii SPARL specialises in business crime cases, either in defence of its clients, or acting for victims in seeking compensation. The department also advises companies from a pre-emptive perspective to mitigate criminal law risks that may arise from business activities. Former high-ranking prosecutor Ovidiu Budusan heads the team and is a reliable choice for major business crime cases, tax evasion, and corruption. Florentina Frumusanu is one of the younger stars of the market, recently acting in a complex tax evasion case in the food and beverages industry, as well as a high-value money laundering case. Liana Iacob has experience managing fraud cases in banking and finance, as well as assisting corporate clients in the IT, energy, and real estate sectors, among others. George Toniuc is also a key figure who has represented industry leaders and individual clients in criminal matters.

ENACHE PIRTEA & Associates is well recognised for its business crime practice, which covers in-court defence, as well as risk management and compliance advice on an ongoing basis. Clients include major companies and their senior management on individual bases. Simona Pirtea co-leads the department and her expertise covers public and private corruption, economic and organised criminal activity, and money laundering. She and fellow practice head Madalin Enache are praised by clients for their ‘specialised point of view on a variety of legal matters‘; Enache focusing on the litigation side of things, drawing on almost two decades in the field. Adrian Rusu is the other key contact in the team, specialising in tax evasion, money laundering, embezzlement, and corruption cases.

Mares & Mares, a 'specialist criminal law practice with significant cross-border experience', has a client list that encompasses multinational and local companies, senior management, and on the individual side, politicians and entrepreneurs, both in Romania and abroad. At the helm of the practice, Mihai Mares, 'an industry leader with huge experience', is a client favourite and leads all major matters for the firm. He is supported by Cipriana Pop, who is well versed advising on corruption offences, money laundering, tax evasion and common law offences; Traian Badescu, who has a prosecution background; and litigator Raluca Mocanu.

One of the standout crop of boutique firms in Romania when it comes to white-collar crime, Serban & Asociatii is counsel of choice for major multinationals facing criminal charges in the country. The practice covers the gamut of matters, from preventative measures, through investigations and in court proceedings at the highest level. Adrian Pichler heads the department and has placed considerable focus on this area of practice for over twenty years. Alexandru Serban has honed his skills under the guidance of Pichler and supports on the range of matters. George Lupescu is a further key contact, excelling in cases of tax evasion and money laundering.

Zamfirescu Racoti Vasile & Partners fields one of the longest established specialist white-collar crime practices when it comes to Romania’s full-service firms. The firm has a strong reputation across its litigation services and has an impressive client base that includes major banks operating in Romania, as well as some of the leading corporates in a breadth of industry sectors. Calin Andrei Zamfirescu is one of the best known dispute resolution practitioners in the country, in both civil and criminal cases. Senior associate Doru Cosmin Ursu is the standout support to the senior partners. Former practice head Valerian Cioclei departed the firm in October 2023.

The criminal law practice at Bradu Neagu & Associates acts for major corporations as well as individual clients in a range of high-profile white-collar crime cases, both before and after the opening of an enforcement case. Compliance counselling through to internal investigations and criminal defence before the court are all in the wheelhouse of the boutique firm. International and Romanian companies look to practice head Roman Bradu for his expertise in business crime counsel and a white-collar litigation. The practice was bolstered in May 2023 by the addition of Alexandru Vasilache from Serban & Asociatii, while on the more junior side, Victor Hirșman stands out supporting the partners.

CMS' criminal defence practice in Bucharest is led by May 2023 partner appointment Mihai Jiganie-Serban, who has had a rapid rise to become one of the standout practitioners in the field in Romania. He leads a team whose 'inter-disciplinary cooperation with other departments enhances its capability', working closely with the CMS network in the region to support a prestigious client base of the range of cases under the white-collar crime umbrella. Coordinator of the wider dispute resolution practice, Horia Draghici is a key figure in criminal litigation too, and the practice was boosted by the return of Cosmin Cretu in June 2023, rejoining from Dentons.

Popescu & Asociatii's multi-disciplinary team brings together a broad range of relevant expertise to represent clients in white-collar crime cases at every level of court in Romania. The department is also counsel of choice to a host of major companies for risk assessment and compliance in this area. The team is jointly coordinated by an experienced trio: Adrian Chirvase, who has extensive experience of criminal business law and tax fraud matters; Octavian Popescu, one of the Romanian law market's most recognisable figures in contentious corporate and criminal matters; and Gheorghe Buta, who 'brings a full bag of experience to the team' as a senior partner and seasoned trial lawyer. Senior counsel Mirel Radescu adds further experience.

Schoenherr si Asociatii SCA's white-collar crime department is sought after by a number of industry-leading clients for highly sensitive court cases, as well as internal investigations advice and support through the pre-investigative period. The practice group is overseen by Iustin Armașu and Sebastian Gutiu, who are both seasoned dispute resolution professionals. Magdalena Roibu is the white-collar crime specialist to note, frequently leading matters and already an experienced name in a diverse range of criminal investigations and trials.

Kinstellar's dispute resolution specialists act in a range of domestic and cross-border white-collar crime matters, including cybercrime, corruption allegations, money laundering, tax evasion and fraud. The firm has an impressive client list of major multinational corporates in a spread of industries, and also acts for HNWIs in such matters. Remus Codreanu oversees the team and has extensive experience assisting high-level clients across various types of disputes. He is most frequently supported by Vlad Simion and Andrei Covaliu.

An experienced team at Musat & Asociatii handles high-value white-collar crime matters for its clients, with particularly strong expertise in internal investigations. Senior partner Gheorghe Muşat and litigation expert Alexandru Terța jointly oversee the department, while Stefan Diaconescu receives extensive praise from clients, singled out for his 'very deep knowledge in criminal law'. He has assisted with investigations and compliance in matters including corruption, economic crimes, aviation law, energy law, intellectual property and public procurement.

Popovici Nitu Stoica & Asociatii draws on 'deep experience advising on white-collar issues for big corporates' and has a regular stream of new mandates while maintaining its ongoing support in this area for its longstanding clients. Practice head Alexandru Ambrozie 'showcases strong professional judgement, decision-making skills, a high level of transparency and integrity'. He is especially strong in representing clients in regulatory and criminal investigations, and prosecutions brought by the National Anticorruption Directorate, the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, prosecutor’s offices and administrative authorities. Ana Stoenescu is the other key lawyer to note, experienced in defending clients in tax evasion, money laundering, EU fraud offences, and health and safety breaches.

Tuca Zbârcea & Asociatii fields a criminal law department whose services in white-collar crime cover litigation as well as internal investigations and compliance advice. Leadership of the team is divided between Manuela Gornoviceanu, who has three decades of experience representing clients before all court levels in Romania, and Robert Rosu, who is also vastly experienced at the highest level of litigation in the country. Senior associate Constantin Matei focuses his practice exclusively on criminal law matters.

The white-collar crime practice at Vernon | David conducts compliance reviews and internal investigations, as well as representing companies and their management in relation to criminal and government investigations and in criminal litigation. Managing partner Charles Vernon and head of the corporate practice Maria Nica oversee the department. Daniela David is the lead litigation contact and Irina Parvulescu is a further name to note for litigation and civil law.