Simona has over 17 years of experience providing legal advice in the areas of banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, corporate, and insolvency law. Throughout her career, she has represented numerous prominent domestic and international financial institutions and debtors in acquisition financing, refinancing, project and export financing, as well as in complex M&A projects.
In addition to commercial projects, she was also involved in pro bono activities, providing legal advice in the areas of reproductive law, environmental law, and animal rights.
Simona spent over 12 years at the former Bratislava office of the international law firm White & Case, where she also completed several internships at their Prague office, the White & Case headquarters in New York, and their former office in Budapest. Later, she co-led the banking practice at the law firm MCL and also worked as an in-house lawyer at Československá obchodná banka.
Her expertise has been internationally recognized – she has been repeatedly ranked in the prestigious Legal500 directory in the field of banking and finance and, in 2021, was named one of the 100 most inspirational female lawyers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia by the #prvních100let project.
Beyond the Office
Simona is a passionate traveler at heart. She has undertaken several solo trips to Latin America, a region that fascinates her, particularly for its indigenous cultures, energy, contrasts, and vibrant colors. She loves nature, good wine, and the power of moments lived away from civilization. For many years, she danced Argentine tango and swing—a passion that continues to shape her perception of harmony, and beauty.
Education:
- Central European University, Budapest (LL.M, 2008)
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Law (Mgr., 2006)
- Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada (exchange student – 2005)
Languages: Slovak, English, Spanish
References
- Pavol Jakubec, on the complex legal and tax structuring of his acquisition of the remaining 50% share in I.D.C. Holding.
- Marek Václavík and Petit Press directors Alexej Fulmek and Peter Mačinga, on their acquisition of a minority stake in Petit Press from the Slovak finance group Penta.
- MiddleCap, on the financing of the Yosaria Plaza project to be built on the land plots of the former Prior department store in Bratislava.
- UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, in connection with complex financing, including refinancing provided to Dr. Max entities, the largest network of pharmacies.
- TPG Real Estate, in connection with its acquisition and financing of industrial real estate and logistics centers
- Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, in connection with its acquisition/refinancing portfolio of four logistics centers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia from HB Reavis.
- A leading bank, in connection with the acquisition financing provided to an international law firm. Our assistance included the preparation of an English law facility agreement and a security package covering several jurisdictions.
- A consortium of banks led by ING Bank N.V., in connection with the financing of the Cargo Wagon company for the acquisition of national rolling stock provided to the state railway company.