Mr. István Réczicza has been the senior Hungarian lawyer in White & Case LLP’s Budapest office since joining the firm in June 1997, and the co-head of the office since January 1999.

Mr. Réczicza’s practice primarily focuses on transactions involving foreign investment in regulated industries, particularly in the telecommunications, energy, media and financial services sectors.  In the course of this representation, Mr. Réczicza has become one of Hungary’s leading figures in the analysis of industry regulation and the drafting of proposed amendments in connection with such legislation.

Mr. Réczicza has represented and continues to represent several major foreign investors in various fields of the telecommunications sector, including local telephone companies and cable television networks, telecommunications equipment and software supply companies in connection with their participation in tenders and procurement contracts, and multinational telecommunications companies in the registrations of their products in Hungary.  These clients include Kabelkom (a joint venture of US West, Tele-Communications, Inc., United Phillips International and Time Warner), FALCON, Monor Telephone Company, Scientific Atlanta, United International Holdings, Times Fiber, Inc. and STET International.

Most recently, Mr. Réczicza represented the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Water Management in relation to the tender for concessions to provide DCS 1800 mobile telephone services, and in negotiations with the successful bidders (the principal concession was awarded to Vodafone).

In the energy sector, Mr. Réczicza assisted the Hungarian government and various Hungarian parties in connection with the changes to the regulatory structure for the privatization of certain companies operating power stations and mines in Hungary, and in negotiations with foreign investors (including InterGen).  He currently is representing MVM (the state energy company) and ÁPV Rt. (the Hungarian privatization agency) in various matters concerning the energy sector, including issues relating to stranded costs arising in the upcoming market liberalization, and litigation arising out of the privatization of certain power generation companies in 1996 and 1997.

Working with the Cultural Committee of the Parliament of the Republic of Hungary, Mr. Réczicza was extensively involved in the drafting of the Hungarian media legislation.  Mr. Réczicza is the Hungarian representative of the Motion Picture Association, the international film industry group.  Mr. Réczicza also served as general counsel for five years for HBO Hungary.

Mr. Réczicza has participated in numerous financing transactions, including in his capacity as legal advisor to DUNA Investment Bank, Rt.  These transactions have involved numerous project, structured and corporate financings, domestic and international public offerings, the development of the first forint-based credit card and the formation of several fully-licensed commercial banks.  He is leading a team consisting of lawyers from three offices of White & Case LLP in its representation of Merrill Lynch, as international underwriter, and K&H Securities and Rabobank, as Hungarian underwriters of the initial public offering of shares in Kereskedelmi és Hitelbank Rt. on the Luxembourg and Budapest stock exchanges.

Mr. Réczicza has also advised a number of foreign investors, including Ford Motor Co., Esteé Lauder, Schlumberger, Hewlett Packard, Amway, VF Company, TESCO, Digital and Fischer Rosemount, in connection with privatization, mergers and acquisitions and related transactions.

In intellectual property matters, Mr. Réczicza has represented clients such as Commercial and Credit Bank, OTP Garancia, PK Bank, IFEX Ltd., IDOM Rt. (a subsidiary of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu International), CISCO, and Microsoft.  Mr. Réczicza has represented Pénzintézeti Központ Bank Rt. in its negotiations with a major international supplier with respect to the development and implementation of an integrated banking software system.  He has also represented K&H Bank and OTP Garancia in their negotiations with respect to the development and implementation of integrated software systems.  Mr. Réczicza regularly advises these and other clients on all matters of Hungarian copyright, trademark, patent, and other intellectual property issues.  Mr. Réczicza has substantial experience advising with respect to the drafting of film license agreements, software development and license contracts.

Mr. Réczicza was member of the White & Case LLP’s team in a number of recent high-profile mergers and acquisitions in Hungary, including Perrier Vittel’s contemplated acquisition of Kékkúti Ásványvíz Rt. (the Hungarian mineral water company listed on the Budapest stock exchange) and AIG New Europe Fund’s acquisition of a 25% interest in TriGranit (Central Europe’s leading commercial real estate developer).

Mr. Réczicza also has an active dispute resolution practice.