Gecić Law has been named the leading law firm in a dynamic regional market of 150 million people, winning the title in The Lawyer European Awards 2021 on December 1st. The award places the company among “crème de la crème of the European legal market” in The Lawyer’s words, and positions Gecić Law first in a highly-competitive market encompassing Turkey and the entire Balkans. The prestigious prize – awarded for the first time, covering an expanded region - confirms Gecić Law’s reputation as the most innovative law firm in South Eastern Europe and truly a member of the European legal elite.
Announcing their decision to select the company as “Law firm of the year: South Eastern Europe” the jury praised Gecić Law for “its rapid growth, its strong deal profile, and its innovative expansion into the consulting arena,” said The Lawyer editor Catrin Griffiths.
Founded in 2015 and led by a team combining dynamism and experience at the frontline of the international legal profession, Gecic Law’s ascent to the European top tier is testament to its strengths – entrepreneurial spirit, high-level international expertise, and impeccable client service - recognized by a growing range of clients which are leaders in their respective fields.
Key cases in the past year have included representing the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a landmark process surrounding the $1.1bn Tuzla thermal power plant; advising Norway’s NBT on the acquisition of an 800MW portfolio of wind power projects in Serbia; and advising the Serbian government on matters relating to climate policy, subsidies, and trade. Gecić Law has also worked with Slovenia’s Petrol, one of the region’s biggest companies, on a shared dispute, and represented Telekom Srbija, a major listed business, in a number of high-profile international disputes – demonstrating its aptitude in handling highly sensitive cases.
Belgrade-based but operating across South Eastern Europe, and the European Union, Gecić Law was the only law firm from the Western Balkans to be shortlisted for the award, and was competing against giants of one of the world’s leading emerging markets, as well as several long-established companies from the EU. The firm wins this latest award for a newly-expanded region just a year after being anointed Law firm of the year: Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Gecić Law has also been shortlisted multiple times in the European competition or antitrust team of the year – Top Five category, where the firm competed neck and neck with some of the best competition and antitrust teams from the whole of Europe.
Gecić Law’s Founding Partner Bogdan Gecić said: “It is an incredible honor to be repeatedly singled out among the crème de la crème of the legal world, and to be the first to win in a new category covering a fast-growing market of 150 million people is a remarkable new achievement for our team. This latest award clearly demonstrates that renowned international legal experts and industry leaders recognize the strength of our pioneering work, and relentless efforts to provide top-notch service across markets and practice areas. It also underlines our fundamental values: meritocracy, innovation, integrity, and philanthropy.
“We were especially glad to see that the jury acknowledged our vision for the development not only of our firm but also the entire legal field in the region. We are at the forefront of redefining the role that a law firm plays in the emerging regional market. We are grateful to our fantastic team, which is constantly growing, developing, and achieving new heights in the profession. We also thank clients who continuously trust us to demonstrate our commitment, expertise, and creativity in finding solutions to some of the most significant challenges they face.”
Recognized as the benchmark of excellence in the European legal sector, The Lawyer European Awards have acknowledged the leaders in the continent’s legal world for more than a decade. Each year The Lawyer European Awards showcase the achievements of the finest in Europe’s legal industry. The Lawyer’s elite judging panel comprises top experts and business leaders from leading enterprises throughout Europe. The competition was particularly fierce this year, with a record-breaking number of submissions.
