Gelu Titus Maravela

gelu.maravela@mprpartners.com

Language fluency

• Romanian, English and French

Education

• LL.M, Warwick University, UK (2000);
• High Institute for Magistrates, Bucharest (1996);
• LL.B, Bucharest University Law School (1995).

Memberships

• Part of the National H2 Strategy - Hydrogen Valleys workgroup, in relation with the Romanian Ministry of Energy (2022);
• Bucharest Bar Association (Admitted 1997).

Awards & Recognition

• Gelu Maravela is a notable practitioner and a key contact within the [dispute resolution] department - Source: Chambers and Partners researchers (2022);
• Gelu Maravela was recognized as the exclusive winner of the M&A category for Romania. He was praised by his clients for his ability to develop close and efficient working relationships, being known on the market for his expertise and great project management skills - Source: Lexology's Client Choice Awards 2020, 2021 and 2022;
• Gelu Maravela was named 2018-2019 "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers International for work in Project Finance and Development Practice in Bucharest. He has been selected by peers for inclusion in the Fifth Edition of The Best Lawyers in Romania for his work in Arbitration and Mediation, Banking and Finance Law, Energy Law, Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation, Natural Resources Law and Project Finance and Development Practice;
• Presented with ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for the contribution to ‘Doing Business Guides, published by World Bank Group (yearly, since 2010);
• Repeatedly ranked as Highly regarded by The IFLR 1000 Financial and Corporate researchers;
• Repeatedly ranked throughout the years as Recommended Lawyer, Leading Individual and Highly regarded by reputed international directories, such as Best Lawyers International, Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

Client Feedback

• "Please accept our very sincere and grateful thanks for all your tremendous efforts on our behalf to help secure this result. We would really have been in a very different place if we hadn’t had all your help." - Source: Founder & Development Director of the leading European palliative care provider (2021);
• "I am so happy (...) and we need to thank you for all your support and high level of involvement and professionalism. We are lucky to have you and we truly appreciate your efforts made towards our case." - Source: CEO of a leading palliative care provider (2021);
• "Gelu Maravela, has decades of experience in M&A, privatisation deals & capital markets matters. (...) Gelu Maravela & Alina Popescu advised many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and medical devices manufacturers & healthcare services providers, regulators & professional associations. (...) Gelu Maravela has been extensively involved in transactions in the energy & natural resources sector, (privatisation of several major branches of the state-owned energy company, of national oil company & green energy deals)." - Source: Researchers of Chambers and Partners - Corporate/M&A (2021);
• "Gelu Maravela & Dana Rădulescu have substantial expertise in restructuring and insolvency, having advised on complex and sensitive restructuring strategies in numerous insolvency cases in Romania." - Source: Researchers of Chambers and Partners (2021);
• "Gelu Maravela is a key contact within the department." - Source: Researchers of Chambers and Partners – Dispute resolution (2021);
• “Cooperation with you and MPR team is a true blessing because you are the best!” - Source: Legal counsel of global technology company (2020);
• "[The firm] handles complex, large-scale insolvency and restructuring mandates on behalf of creditors, debtors and investors. In recent work, it represented investors buying distressed assets from two major Romanian insolvencies. Dana Rădulescu and managing partner Gelu Maravela are both highly active in this area, and clients also receive strong support (...) on disputes and Felix Tapai [advises] on related tax issues.” – Restructuring and insolvency - Source: Researchers of The Legal 500 (2020);
• "[The firm] fields a 'very agile and experienced team' with strong experience in high-profile international arbitration and ICSID claims, as well as administrative and civil litigation. (...) Gelu Maravela and Alina Popescu are all very active in this area." – Dispute resolution - Source: Researchers of The Legal 500 (2020);
• "Founding Partners Gelu Maravela, Alina Popescu (...) are excellent team leaders, very skilled and with a hands-on approach." - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (Dispute resolution) (2020);
• "Since meeting Gelu Maravela (...), I am sure that for every problem I have the perfect solution." - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (Tax) (2020);
• "[The firm] is a popular choice for day-to-day commercial advice, and the firm's corporate lawyers are increasingly involved in major M&A, such as the Oltchim asset buyout. The team has particularly strong expertise advising clients in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and energy sectors. Gelu Maravela, Alina Popescu and Dana Rădulescu have established good reputations in the market." – Commercial, corporate and M&A - Source: Researchers of The Legal 500 (2020);
• "Founding partners Gelu Maravela and Alina Popescu are excellent team leaders, very skilled and with a hands-on approach, whilst Dana Radulescu has a wealth of knowledge and a sound business approach" - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (Corporate, commercial and M&A) (2020);
• "The 'highly recommended’ team at MPR Partners 'possesses a wealth of knowledge' and provides 'prompt and to-the-point, valuable advice'. Gelu Titus Maravela and Alina Popescu are the names to note and are praised as 'great leaders' who ensure 'any assignment is smoothly completed in due time with excellent results'. Sectors of expertise include real estate, energy and natural resources as well as pharmaceuticals and healthcare." - Commercial, corporate and M&A - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (2019);
• "MPR Partners' team is 'highly devoted to solving its clients' legal issues with dedication and excellence'. Ioan Roman [...] jointly heads the practice with Gelu Titus Maravela [...]. The team covers the full spectrum of disputes including commercial and investment arbitration, insolvency proceedings, tax litigation and fraud." - Dispute resolution - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (2019);
• "MPR Partners' 'client-oriented' and 'business-focused' team is noted for its 'proactive attitude and availability'. [...] partner Dana Rădulescu heads the practice jointly with Gelu Titus Maravela." - Restructuring and insolvency - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (2019);
• "Felix Tapai and Gelu Titus Maravela lead the team at MPR Partners. The group covers the entire spectrum of tax-related instructions including compliance, litigation and advisory work. [...]." - Tax - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (2019);
• "I have had the great pleasure of working with you and your colleagues from Maravela team, highly appreciating the promptitude and professionalism of your work." - Source: Managing Partner of a major hemp seed products producer and distributor (2019);
• "(...) they are extremely competent and help with seemingly impossible matters (for example, there was a contractual matter in respect of which several large law firms said there was nothing to do; Gelu [Maravela] and Alina [Popescu] however succeeded to solve the issue in a brilliant way)." - Source: Managing Director of the Romanian subsidiary of a global pharmaceuticals and healthcare group;
• "Reputed on the market for his experience and numerous transactions closed successfully for all parties involved. Business oriented and very good lawyer. " - Source: Clients quoted by IFLR 1000 (2019);
• "Reliability, experience and trust. Mr Maravela impresses us with his knowledge and experience. He is very responsive, and is client, detail and goal-oriented. He is a proactive and confident lawyer, with substantial expertise and experience in M&A projects." – Banking, M&A, project development, regulatory - Source: Clients quoted by IFLR 1000 (2019);
• "The team members are extremely well prepared and excellently managed by Gelu Maravela and Alina Popescu. Very high standard of work, prompt feedback, and very good sector knowledge." – Banking, M&A, project development, regulatory - Source: Clients quoted by IFLR 1000 (2019);
• "Experience on field and market, resourceful, organized, very good public relations.” - Source: Clients quoted by IFLR 1000 (2019);
• "Is very good in negotiations and face-to-face meetings. He is a good manager of big teams which are working on complex tasks." - Source: Clients quoted by IFLR 1000 (2019);
• "Gelu Maravela is ‘a prominent business lawyer and a great team leader" - Source: Commercial, corporate and M&A - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (2018);
• "Gelu Maravela (is) ‘a very good strategist’)" - Source: Restructuring and Insolvency - Source: Clients quoted by The Legal 500 (2018);
• "Gelu Maravela is a reputed lawyer, well known on the M&A Romanian market and we want top services so we chose him and his firm. He knows business and knows legal and he is a perfect combination of entrepreneurship and legal advice. Good strategist as well." - Source: Clients quoted by IFLR 1000 (2018);
• "Mr Maravela is very experienced and possesses a wealth of knowledge that we are benefiting from. He is, to put it simply, accurate and to the point on any issue we have discussed. His team is very well prepared and they are all excellent lawyers and provide us with great service." - Source: Clients quoted by IFLR 1000 (2018).

Publications

• EU level updates regarding energy regulation, article, co-author, October 2022;
• Complex Commercial Litigation, Romania Chapter 2022, Lexology - Getting the Deal Through, September 2021;
• European Banking Authority’s new Anti-Money Laundering provisions, article published in Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence, September 2021;
• Were broadcasters wrong to show Eriksen suffering in Euro 2020 coverage?, article published in Sport Business, July 2021;
• Legal updates concerning electronic surveillance, article, co-author, June 2021;
• The scope of Article 5 of the TRIS Directive by reference to Romania’s 5G legislation, legal memo, co-author, May 2021;
• Electronic signatures in construction, architecture and urbanism, Article, co-author, January 2021;
• Romania: updates of the mining law, article, co-author, January 2021;
• Tax on inbound investment 2021, Romania chapter, Lexology - Getting the Deal Through, Guide, co-author, December 2020;
• Complex Commercial Litigation 2021, Romania Chapter, Lexology - Getting the Deal Through, September 2020;
• Copyright protection granted to computer programs, article, co-author, July 2020;
• When 5G regulations affect mobile operators, article, co-author, July 2020;
• Supporting measures for the Romanian business environment, article, co-author, June 2020;
• The new era of bilaterally negotiated Power Purchase Agreements, co-author, May 2020;
• "Authorization of activities carried out in the medical devices sector", article, co-author, May 2020;
• Tax on inbound investment 2020, Romania chapter, Lexology - Getting the Deal Through, November 2019;
• Investing in Romania, Practical Law Investing in… Global Guide, Thomson Reuters, January 2019;
• GDPR – Data processing, article published in CEE Legal Matters Magazine, May 2018;
• Current status of cryptocurrencies in Romania, interview in Legal Marketing, May 2018;
• Life Sciences: product regulation and liability in Romania, Lexology Navigator, May 2018;
• Keeping records of data processing, article published in GDPR comments and explanations book, Juridice.ro – Hamangiu 2018;
• “Will drones start to be part of our daily lives by 2019?”, Disruptive Technology article published in The In-House Lawyer, May 2018 ;
• "Capital Market" regulatory deeds collection, 1998 – 2000 editions;
• "Civil law. Case studies" collection for students, 1998 – 2000 and 2002 editions;
• Romania chapter in International Agency, Distribution and Licensing Agreements (IADLA), 4th issue, published by Thomson, Sweet & Maxwell;
• Article published in the Oil and Gas Magazine re. the legal regime applicable to the transportation of crude oil and natural gas, 2005;
• Various digests published in the European Current Law, part of Thomson, Sweet & Maxwell (about 100 digests published);
• Romanian Chapter of Doing Business in Europe, editions 2005 -2012 published under the auspices of World Bank – International Finance Corporation;
• Chapter Romania in Doing Business in Europe, published by Thomson, Sweet & Maxwell;
• "New VAT regime in Romania", article published in Eurolawyer Magazine, 2002;
• Articles published in Romanian legal magazines;
• Romania chapter of Global Legal Insights on International Arbitration, First edition, published by Global Legal Group;
• Romania chapter of Global Legal Insights on Mergers & Acquisitions, Fourth edition, published by Global Legal Group;
• Various issues of Emergency Legal Kit for Business and Legal Prompts, specialized business law publications and legal update bulletins, edited by MPR Partners.

Highlights of Gelu’s credentials throughout his practice include legal advice and representation to:

• The leading Romanian chemicals producer in relation to the acquisition of the business of one of the CEE’s leading chemicals producers;
• A major local FMCG producer, in relation to the sale of its business via a bidding process, with two investment funds currently acting as potential buyers;
• One of the most significant frozen goods producers on the Romanian market, regarding one of the biggest FMCG transactions of 2018, regarding the sale of business in a complex bidding process involving multiple bidders and a partial spin-off preceding the sale;
• An award-winning IT company and one of the most important IT integrators in the region, with regard to the sale of its business to the largest telecom player in Romania;
• A major provider of complete range of diagnostic laboratory services, in relation to its planned acquisition of a laboratory, as part of its business expansion strategy;
• The first company in the world to produce x-ray aircraft scanners, and is a major manufacturing and R&D player in the field of aviation security, with regard to the sale of a minority share package of its business;
• The leading local producers and distributors of pet food, in all aspects of the transaction consisting of the sale of their business;
• A major healthcare services provider, in buying a group of companies acting in the medical services sector, specialising in clinical trials;
• A leading local supermarket chain, in the corporate reorganisation of the entire business and preparation thereof in view of sale;
• A leading extracorporeal blood treatment services provider, in the acquisition of seven regional dialysis centres;
• A significant medical services provider with regard to the proposed sale of most of its business (including eight laboratories and four medical centres) to one of Romania’s leading medical chains;
• A major German investment group, regarding its business expansion through the acquisition of a company holding 9,000 hectares of land;
• An important Israeli company, in buying a group of companies operating in the field of the collection, transport, storage and recycling of waste into green energy;
• A major investment fund, regarding a complex due diligence process in view of the potential acquisition and financing of two Dutch holding companies which hold together, among other holdings, 100% of the share capital of two Romanian entities specialising in the field of palletising systems;
• A major importer, distributor, and service provider of food supplements, critical care, biotherapy and immunology products, established on the Romanian market for over 23 years, regarding the reorganisation of its business in view of its exit from the market;
• One of the leading European car park operators, operating in nine countries and 360 cities, on the acquisition of a car park in Timișoara;
• Numerous clients (large international corporations doing business in Romania as well as important local players) in a plethora of complex and day-to-day commercial and corporate matters;
• A Romanian developer manufacturer of state-of-the art specialty medical devices for interventional cardiology and interventional radiology as well as nephrology, urology, liquid administration, anaesthesiology and kyphoplasty. re. various corporate aspects and the prospective sale of its healthcare centres in Romania;
• A construction company in the infrastructure area (highways, gas, telecom, energy public networks, etc.), in the coordination and supervision of the business activity;
• An important Israeli group, active in medical services, energy, construction and project development, with presence on four continents, in connection with all legal aspects entailed by the development of an 8000 sqm excellence oncology centre;
• One of the largest project management Romanian companies, in connection with the extension and modernisation of water infrastructure in a major local community (Arad);
• Client with respect to all legal aspects stemming from the greenfield development of a 700-employee manufacturing facility on a 12 hectares’ land surface pertaining to an industrial park established by a local community;
• A Dutch leading construction and infrastructure group, as part of Jansen de Jong, during a tax audit of Romanian subsidiary;
• An exclusive distributor of herbal products, to assist with finding the optimal mechanisms for assets transfer, from a tax point of view;
• One of the world leaders in pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, in relation to the donation of medical equipment, located in Germany, to a Romanian hospital;
• A major Dutch ships producer in order to advise regarding VAT issues assessment linked to international delivery of goods;
• A leading European car rental group, in order to review and assess a complex leasing contract from fiscal and tax points of view;
• The CEO of a reputed multinational company, regarding assistance and representation throughout very delicate investigations of money laundering and tax evasion;
• One of the leading Romanian healthcare companies, the biggest retail medical services provider, with regard to the sale of its entire business to one of the company’s competitors;
• The Romanian subsidiary of the leading Spanish construction, maintenance and edification of infrastructures group, regarding the purported closing of one of its Romanian offices;
• The French leading group acting in the energy and environment sectors, in order to provide tax advisory and dispute resolution services to its Romanian subsidiary;
• The European discount supermarket network based in Germany, in order to provide tax advisory assistance to its Romanian subsidiary;
• A significant German private equity investor with regard to a complex acquisition of three rail wagons manufacturing businesses undergoing insolvency proceedings at the time of acquisition, as well as various post acquisition matters, including capital markets aspects;
• A major European utilities provider in connection with a large transportation infrastructure project, including due diligence and advice on transaction documents;
• A leading medical services provider in connection with the acquisition of several medical centers and various other regulatory and commercial issues;
• Romanian investors in connection with a shareholders dispute regarding a minority stake held in a major gas stations chain controlled by one of the world leading oil and gas companies;
• One of the largest producers of mobile phones in connection to the development, operation and closing down of a manufacturing plant in a complex framework including an industrial park established in cooperation with local authorities and suppliers' hub;
• A world leading medicine and medical devices manufacturer with respect to the acquisition and integration of a major company in the field, as well as successive restructurings of the business in Romania, including transfer of business and de-merger operations;
• A large US based oil and gas company with regard to the privatization of the largest national oil company;
• One of the largest Romanian companies regarding buy-outs on the stock exchange, delisting of an affiliate via public offering, corporate financing, strategic partnerships and various other corporate and commercial matters;
• A major European airline in connection with the attempted acquisition of the largest Romanian low cost carriers;
• An important Indian group with respect to the acquisition via capital market mechanisms of one of the largest soda ash manufacturing companies in Romania;
• A leading Czech investment fund with respect to the acquisition of the largest Romanian hotels chain and various post acquisition issues;
• A large European utility provider with regard to the acquisition of several utility supply and distribution companies;
• An association of medicines manufacturers in connection with high level assessment of numerous draft enactments concerning social health insurance, national health programs, the framework agreement for medical assistance within the social health insurances system, pricing regulations, the claw-back system;
• A world leading medicines manufacturer regarding data protection, clinical and observational studies, regulatory, public tenders, interaction with government officials and anti-bribery regulations, advertising, specific contractual arrangementsclaw-back related issuescompetition and employment matters;
• A world leading pharmaceuticals company in connection with two transactions re the divestiture of a pharmacy chain and the separation of the underlying business;
• A major European pharmaceuticals company regarding day-to-day legal assistance on healthcare, regulatory, clinical and observational studies, claw-back, corporate and commercial related matters, advertising and competition matters;
• The Romanian natural gas regulator with regard to the full liberalization and unbundling of the national gas market;
• A regional water operator company regarding the rehabilitation and the extension of the local water supply systems and infrastructure, including advising on the tendering procedures, services and concession contracts concerning the management, supervision and construction works;
• One of the largest construction groups in Turkey in connection with the successful amicable settlement of a sub-leveraged dispute against one of the major European real estate developers.