Powering the Future: Kinstellar Announces Strategic Promotions to Reinforce Bucharest Leadership

Kinstellar announces its promotions in the Bucharest office, highlighting the achievements of colleagues who have made significant contributions to the firm and its clients. The promotions reinforce the firm’s strategic focus on recognising excellence, supporting professional growth, and further strengthening its expertise on the local market across Tax and Financial Advisory, Employment, Banking and Finance, Corporate/M&A, and Real Estate. 

Promotions to Partner and Counsel

Theodor Artenie has been promoted to Partner. He is a Tax Advisor and the co-head of the firm-wide Tax Service Line. He is a well-known and highly ranked tax professional who draws on extensive experience and expertise gained over the last 22 years in key management positions at reputable consulting firms in Romania. Theodor’s main focus is VAT, having acquired deep knowledge of the subject in Romania and abroad throughout his career. He also provides assistance in most areas of taxation to clients in various sectors including IT&C, real estate, industrial products, FMCG and automotive.

Lidia Zărnescu focuses on employment & labour law, social security and dispute resolution in employment matters. She has extensive experience advising on complex employment matters, including TUPE, dismissals, disciplinary procedures, harassment and whistleblowing. Lidia holds a Ph.D. in Labour and Social Security Law and is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest. She has also successfully led approximately 500 litigation cases, consistently delivering successful outcomes for employers in complex cases.

Răzvan Constantinescu focuses on banking and finance and has played a central role in numerous significant transactions, including landmark financing mandates handled by our Bucharest office, in renewables and other sectors. He has also been a key pillar for the Bucharest office’s project finance mandates. Răzvan has advised on cross-border financing and refinancing projects for both lenders and borrowers, and has acted for leading banks, financial institutions, and reputable international real estate companies in connection with their financing matters.

Promotion to Managing Associate

Cosmin Vasilescu has been promoted to Managing Associate. He has made a significant contribution to the development of the corporate / M&A practice, having advised local and international clients on corporate matters, restructurings and day-to-day matters, and having been involved in complex due diligence processes across sectors such as automotive, financial institutions, industrials, energy and technology. His expertise also extends to financial regulatory and capital markets.

Promotions to Senior Associate

The firm announces the elevation of Alexandra Sofineti, Denisa Constantin and Teodor Lupu to Senior Associate. These promotions follow a period of demonstrated professional excellence and a high standard of service delivery within their respective practice areas.

Alexandra Sofineti focuses on banking and finance, with particular expertise in project financing. She advises lenders and borrowers on cross-border and domestic financing transactions, including syndicated and bilateral facilities. Alexandra is experienced in drafting and negotiating finance and security documentation and has been involved in large-scale due diligence exercises on finance-related matters.

Denisa Constantin specialises in real estate, construction and planning, as well as renewable energy. She has advised on landmark transactions across a wide range of asset classes, including office, industrial and land for renewable energy and agricultural projects. Denisa supports developers throughout all stages of their projects, from due diligence and permitting to transaction structuring and lease arrangements, while also assisting clients with the ongoing management of their investments.

Teodor Lupu focuses on corporate and M&A, advising domestic and international clients on mergers and acquisitions, business restructuring, transfers of business, and commercial transactions. He has gained experience at leading Romanian and international law firms, supporting clients across multiple industries, particularly German-speaking clients. Teodor also advises financial institutions on regulatory and compliance matters, including consumer credit and licensing. He also focuses on consumer and retail and has advised clients in the sector on a range of commercial and operational matters.

”Congratulations and my sincere appreciation to all of our promoted colleagues! These well-deserved promotions reflect the dedication, professionalism and strong contribution they have consistently shown. We remain committed to supporting them, as well as the wider team, in the continued growth of our Bucharest office. With the appraisal process now concluded, we would also like to thank all our colleagues for their efforts and contributions over the past year. The strength of our office comes from the talent, collaboration and shared commitment of the entire team, and we are confident that, together, we will continue to achieve even more in the future”.