Financial and corporate
Karanović & Partners was established in 1995 and is based in Belgrade. Originally named Karanović & Nikolić, the firm is part of a regional network with offices across several jurisdictions, including Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia. The Serbian team comprises prominent legal practitioners, including Darko Jovanović, Maja Jovančević Šetka, Petar Mitrović and Miloš Vučković. The firm has a strong focus on financial and corporate matters, as well as project development work.
Key clients
Czechoslovak Group (CSG), ElevenEs, IFC, OTP Group, and The European Fund for Southeast Europe.
Highlights
The firm advised CEE BIG BV and four of its Serbian subsidiaries on its €100 million senior secured loan provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the development and reconstruction of real estate projects.
The firm advised Arbonia on the $810 million sale of its climate division to Midea Electrics Netherlands, a subsidiary of Midea Group.
Testimonials
“Karanović & Partners provided responsive and timely advice.” – Banking and finance
“Karanović & Partners demonstrated confidentiality, expertise, and friendliness.” – Banking and finance
“Karanović & Partners demonstrated accuracy, thorough knowledge, reliability, and client orientation.” – Banking and finance
“Karanović & Partners has great knowledge, serious staff dedicated to different areas and industries, highly professional service, and respect for deadlines.” – Investment funds
“Karanović & Partners demonstrated expertise, flexibility, an understanding of the deal specifics, and a willingness to adapt.” – M&A
“Karanović & Partners’ detailed legal analysis and clear, understandable treatment of each issue, combined with strong expertise in construction law and FIDIC-based projects, are particularly noteworthy. Their responsiveness and timely turnaround on complex and time-sensitive matters are also critical for this type of work.” – Project development
“Ana Luković demonstrates strong technical expertise in Serbian construction, public procurement, and regulatory matters, particularly in complex FIDIC-based infrastructure projects. She provides clear, structured, and practical legal analysis, translating complex issues into actionable guidance. She is also highly responsive and reliable in managing time-sensitive requests, maintaining a consistent level of precision and commercial awareness across complex project structures.” – Project development
“Darko Jovanovic is a serious and reliable person, always ready to solve different issues and offer the best response.” – Investment funds
“Đorđe Filipić plays an active role in project execution, including coordination with stakeholders and direct communication with authorities on regulatory matters. He also supports the preparation and submission of key corporate and compliance documentation, including assistance with licensing procedures, and ensures the timely handling of procedural and time-sensitive requirements across the project.” – Project development
“Ivan Nonković is highly professional, with a deep understanding of M&A mechanics, availability, and flexibility. He demonstrates a willingness to understand deal specifics, including buyer/seller dynamics.” – M&A
“Katarina Guduric demonstrates strong knowledge of the subject matter, international connections, friendliness, and a direct to-the-point approach.” – Banking and finance
“Maja Jovančević - Šetka is easy-going and communicates clearly. She is fully familiar with local and global regulations, oriented towards best practices as well as future solutions, and respects deadlines.” – Investment funds
“Maja Jovančević - Šetka has elaborate subject-matter knowledge and deeply understands the legal area of banking and finance, with both local and international legal backgrounds. Excellent in this field, and leading clients through the legal labyrinth of banking and finance provisions.” – Banking and finance
“Miloš Jakovljević is highly knowledgeable, diplomatic and reliable.” – M&A
“Petar Mitrovic is responsive and demonstrates the qualities of a thinking lawyer.” – Banking and finance
“Teodora Vasin provides clear and practical guidance on Serbian corporate and regulatory matters, including branch operations and tax-related procedures. She is effective in resolving procedural uncertainties and is reliable in delivering timely and clear compliance-related communication.” – Project development
“Tijana Arsenijevic is responsive and demonstrates the qualities of a thinking lawyer.” – Banking finance
