Kinstellar announces new Office Managing Partner in Bucharest – Iustinian Captariu to take over leadership as of 1 September 2025

Kinstellar announced that, effective 1 September 2025, Partner Iustinian Captariu has been appointed as the new Office Managing Partner of the Bucharest Office. He succeeds Victor Constantinescu, who has successfully led the office for six years and will focus on further strengthening the firm’s Real Estate practice, where he serves as firm-wide co-head, as well as contributing to the Bucharest Office and broader strategic initiatives in the Firm. 

Iustinian has been with Kinstellar since its inception, having previously worked with Linklaters. He heads the firm-wide Energy sector and service line, as well as the local Energy and Competition service lines. He is also a member of the Firm’s Management Committee. 

With nearly 20 years of professional experience, Iustinian advises international and local clients across the full spectrum of energy and competition law. He is consistently recognised as a leading lawyer in major international legal directories, with clients describing him as “a highly sophisticated lawyer – knowledgeable, responsive and personable” and “an excellent relationship and team manager.” He is further commended as “highly experienced, competent, thoughtful, flexible and friendly” and “highly regarded for his expertise in handling the full range of energy matters.”

Kristóf Ferenczi, Firm Managing Partner, comments: “I am pleased to see Iustinian taking on the leadership of our Bucharest Office—one of the largest amongst our offices. Iustinian stepping into this role is part of our succession planning program, which plays an integral part in ensuring Kinstellar’s continued growth and success. He is widely appreciated and respected for his dedication, involvement, and passion for his work. I am confident Iustinian’s vision and energy will ensure the continued growth and success of our Bucharest Office. I would also like to thank Victor for his leadership and commitment over the years – under his guidance, the office has strengthened its position in Romania and achieved significant growth and success. I look forward to seeing Victor further expand our regional Real Estate sector, where his knowledge and expertise remain indispensable.” 

Iustinian Captariu, new Bucharest Office Managing Partner, adds: “It is a great honour to take on this role and to continue building on the strong foundations laid by Victor and our team. I am excited to work alongside my excellent colleagues in Bucharest and across the region to drive further growth, expand our client relationships, and contribute to the Firm’s ambitious projects and strategic objectives.”


In Romania’s highly competitive legal market, Kinstellar’s Bucharest office has successfully built a strong position, standing out through consistency, visibility, and the ability to deliver results in complex mandates. Its growth is far from accidental – it is the outcome of a carefully designed strategy that combines deep local expertise with the strength of a regional platform. This dual advantage enables the firm to provide clients with cross-border approaches and swift, business-oriented solutions.

A key milestone in the office’s evolution has been the consolidation of its team by attracting lawyers with strong expertise in sensitive areas such as tax, employment, and state aid. This has significantly enhanced the firm’s ability to handle multi-disciplinary matters. Thanks to this diversification, the Bucharest office has expanded its profile beyond real estate transactions and M&A, strengthening its presence in banking & finance, energy, competition, and dispute resolution.

International recognition confirms this trajectory. In both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, Kinstellar Bucharest consistently features among the most highly ranked law firms in Romania. Practices such as real estate, banking & finance, corporate/M&A, and energy are placed in the upper tiers, while several local partners are individually recognized. The fact that some of them hold top positions, with special mentions for technical expertise and their ability to coordinate cross-border mandates, highlights the maturity of a team that has become a trusted reference point for clients.

Another differentiating factor lies in the office’s ability to connect local capabilities with regional standards. In a context where investors are increasingly seeking advisors who can navigate challenges across multiple jurisdictions, Kinstellar Bucharest has established itself as a reliable hub, providing both strategic guidance and efficient execution. This integrated approach is particularly evident in sectors such as logistics, real estate, energy, and infrastructure, where the team has distinguished itself through innovative solutions and the ability to anticipate regulatory trends and market pressures.

Equally important is the role of lawyers specialized in sensitive areas such as competition, litigation, and tax. In an economy shaped by heightened regulatory scrutiny and complex compliance frameworks, clients expect more than transactional advice – they look for a strategic perspective on risk. Kinstellar Bucharest has consistently invested in the development of these departments, which has brought the firm both recognition in international legal directories and a clear competitive edge on the domestic market.

The result is a well-balanced profile: on the one hand, a strong bench of lawyers with international recognition in Chambers and The Legal 500; on the other, a proven capacity to integrate complex projects that involve corporate, financial, real estate, energy, and regulatory aspects. For clients, this translates into the assurance that they are working with a team capable of consistently delivering at international standards while being firmly grounded in the particularities of the Romanian market.

Today, Kinstellar Bucharest positions itself as a mature player among the market leaders, pursuing a growth strategy based on quality, diversity, and adaptability. Its visibility in global legal directories and the consolidation of key practice areas confirm the firm’s status as a trusted partner for companies, investors, and institutions that see Romania as a strategic market.