- Finance
- Corporate/M&A
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Bucharest Bar (registered 2003)
- Quebec Bar (admitted 1995)
- English
- French
- Romanian
Christian is recognized as a leading expert in Romania in financing and M&A transactions, having been described by the Chambers 2008 edition as “highly technically able, with vast knowledge to structure a deal and translate this into a contract”.
In addition, Christian has developed a strong expertise in the gas sector having acted for E.ON Ruhrgas in the privatization of Distrigaz Nord. The Chambers Europe 2007 edition highlighted Christian’s “deep knowledge of the due diligence and unbundling procedures relating to the privatization of gas distribution companies”.
Before joining Biris Goran in 2007, Christian Mindru previously worked in Montréal for Fasken Martineau, a top-tier Canadian law firm and then as senior associate and transaction leader for the Paris global firm of Gide Loyrette Nouel in its Paris and Bucharest offices. Christian was raised and educated in Canada and the United States.
He has extensive experience acting for arrangers, borrowers and sponsors on a wide range of transactions with an emphasis on acquisition, real estate and project finance. Since 2002, Christian has acted on finance projects in Romania the value of which exceeds 1 billion Euros and has acted as counsel on the occasion of the first syndicated facility governed by Romanian law without a state guaranteee and has advised the lead arranger and the lenders on an LBO financing chosen by Acquisition Finance Magazin as Romanian 2006 Acquisition Finance deal of the Year.
He also has substantial experience acting for bidders on a wide range of domestic and cross-border merger and acquisition deals, including privatisation transactions (he acted as counsel for purchasers/bidders in the privatization of Distrigaz Nord, BCR, CEC and Electrica Muntenia SUD).
His unique expertise and experience allows him to offer Biris Goran clients focused, business-oriented advice on their financing and acquisition needs.
Chambers 2008 adds “poaching Christian Mindru from Gide Loyrette Nouel has added invaluable financial expertise to the [Biris Goran] practice, which is particularly important given the firm’s propensity to act for borrowers”.
- Legal advisor to the Sellers on M&A and finance aspects as regards a real estate indirect forward basis sale, the largest real estate sale-acquisition deal in Romania as of today, valued at approximately EUR 340 million
- Ongoing legal advisor to the borrower and sponsors on a real estate financing for office development in Bucharest, in total amount of EUR 110 million
- Ongoing legal advisor to the borrower and sponsors on a real estate financing for residential real estate properties in Romania, in amount of EUR 80 million
- Ongoing legal advisor to the borrower and sponsors on a real estate re-financing for real estate properties Romania as well as two other Eastern European countries, in total amount of EUR 300 million
- Legal advisor to the borrower and sponsors on a real estate financing for the development of a mall in Transylvania, Romania valued at EUR 40 million
- Legal advisor to the borrower and sponsors on a real estate re-financing for real estate properties in Romania as well as two other Eastern European countries, in total amount of EUR 100 million
- Legal advisor to the borrower and sponsors on an acquisition finance valued at EUR 24 million
- Senior Foreign Associate, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Paris & Bucharest offices (2001 - 2007)
- Associate, Fasken Martineau, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1995 - 2001)
- Co-author “Securitization in Romania, Bold legislative changes create an encouraging environment” in the 2006 Global Securitization Guide
- Secured lending in Romania – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Guest Speaker (December 2004)
- Securitisation in Romania – New draft laws – Bucharest, Romania, Guest Speaker (October 2004)
- Securitisation in Eastern Europe – Paris, France, Guest Speaker (November 2003)
- Post-Privatisation Restructuring - Legal and Contractual Restrictions - Bucharest, Romania, Guest Speaker (October 2003)
- Legal issues of Project Finance - Bucharest, Romania, Guest Speaker (January 2003)
- Christian has also provided ISDA with memorandums on the redenomination of the Romanian currency, implementation of EU Collateral Directive in Romania and close-out netting under Romanian Law.
- University of Montreal, Faculty of Law, Montreal, Canada (Law Degree, 1993)
- University of Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA (B.Sc. Business Administration, 1989)