Kovács Zsolt
Managing Partner
Papp Hajnalka
Senior Partner
Lucian Dan Negruțiu
Collaborating Attorney
Drd. Péter Tamás Ernő
Contributor
Ágota Dehelean
Administrative Coordinator
Our team
Kovács Zsolt
Managing Partner
Papp Hajnalka
Senior Partner
Lucian Dan Negruțiu
Collaborating Attorney
Drd. Péter Tamás Ernő
Contributor
Ágota Dehelean
Administrative Coordinator
Kovács Zsolt – Managing Partner
With over two decades of experience in the legal field, Kovács Zsolt is the founder and managing partner of the Civil Law Firm Kovács & Associates.
He obtained his law degree in 2002 at the Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University, Faculty of Law in Cluj-Napoca and has been a member of the Bihor County Bar Association since 2003.
In 2006, he further deepened his legal knowledge and completed a Master’s degree in European Community Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Oradea.
In 2008, he founded Kovács & Associates, where he continues to be the coordinating attorney, managing complex cases and providing clients with strategic and results-oriented representation.
Expertise and Results
- Commercial and Corporate Law – Managed and assisted in the execution of transactions and investments exceeding 100 million EUR, ensuring business legal compliance, risk management and corporate development.
Administrative & Tax Litigation – Successfully represented corporate clients and individuals in important litigation against public authorities, obtaining favorable solutions in administrative and tax disputes.
- Arbitration & International Dispute Resolution – Provided solid representation before both national courts and international arbitration courts, achieving significant results for clients in complex commercial disputes.
- Renewable Energy & Regulations – Provided legal assistance to investors and companies in the renewable energy field, facilitating licensing, regulatory compliance, and project development in accordance with national norms and EU regulations.
- Insurance Law & Labor Law – Extensive expertise in insurance litigation, labor conflicts and corporate governance, protecting the interests of employers and employees.
- Family Law – Legal advice on complex family law matters, property division and other related legal disputes.
Commitment to Excellence
Recognized for his strategic vision, analytical skills and dedication to client success, Kovács Zsolt is a trusted attorney who combines deep legal expertise with a pragmatic approach to resolving disputes and commercial transactions.
Languages spoken: Romanian, Hungarian and English
Papp Hajnalka – Senior Partner
Papp Hajnalka joined the Kovács & Associates team in 2024, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and over a decade of experience in civil law, labor law, inheritance law, land law, and immigration matters. Known for her empathetic yet precise approach, she is a legal professional who combines technical excellence with human understanding.
She earned her law degree in 2008 from the Agora University Faculty of Law in Oradea, and in 2010, she completed a Master’s program in Criminal Law at the University of Oradea, Faculty of Law. Since 2011, she has been a fully qualified lawyer and a member of the Bihor Bar, actively engaged in both litigation and legal consultancy.
Throughout her career, she has built a strong and diverse legal practice, offering clients clear, tailored solutions in legal matters that often involve both emotional and patrimonial components. She is particularly appreciated for her balanced, detail-oriented approach and her ability to make legal processes understandable and manageable for clients.
Areas of Expertise
- Civil Law – in-depth experience with divorces, asset division, child custody, alimony, and other family-related matters.
- Land Law – legal assistance with land restitution, property disputes, boundary delimitation, and ownership claims.
- Inheritance Law – advising on notarial succession procedures, inheritance litigation, contested wills, and estate division.
- Labor Law – representation in dismissals, salary claims, individual labor disputes, and unfair contract clauses.
- Immigration & Citizenship – assistance with Romanian citizenship applications, residence and work permits for foreign nationals, and recognition of civil status documents.
Languages spoken: Romanian, Hungarian and English
Lucian Dan Negruțiu – Collaborating Attorney
Lucian Dan Negruțiu has been collaborating with our law firm since 2025, offering valuable expertise in criminal law matters, bringing with him more than 30 years of legal experience as both a former prosecutor and a seasoned criminal defense lawyer. While maintaining his own independent legal practice and client portfolio, his contribution to Kovács & Associates is a strategic asset in handling complex and high-profile criminal cases. He is widely respected for his strategic mindset, calm demeanor, and the successful defense of clients in complex and high-profile criminal cases, including those related to drug trafficking, corruption, and economic crimes.
He graduated in 1989 from the Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, and began his legal career as a prosecutor with the Prosecutor’s Office attached to the Oradea District Court, a role he held between 1989 and 1997.
Since 1997, he has been practicing as a member of the Bihor Bar, offering legal defense in some of the most sensitive and media-covered criminal proceedings, representing both public figures and private individuals with professionalism and discretion.
Professional Experience
- Former prosecutor – with deep understanding of criminal investigations, legal procedures, and evidence assessment.
Over 25 years of defense experience in complex criminal litigation.
- Successful representation in cases involving:
– Drug trafficking and possession of risk and high-risk substances
– Corruption and abuse of office
– Economic and financial crimes
– Violence and offenses against property
- Defense counsel for notable public personalities, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals.
Areas of Specialization
Criminal law – organized crime, corruption, money laundering, property offenses
Drug offenses – trafficking and possession of prohibited substances
Criminal procedure – full legal support from investigation to sentencing
Fundamental rights defense in criminal trials
Languages spoken: Romanian, Hungarian and English
Drd. Péter Tamás Ernő – Contributor
Drd. Péter Tamás Ernő joined the Kovács & Associates team in 2025, bringing a valuable blend of practical legal experience and active academic involvement in the field of civil law and public governance.
He holds a Law degree and completed a Master’s program in Civil Law and Civil Procedure at the Faculty of Law, University of Oradea.
Before joining our firm, he served as a legal advisor within a state-owned company, where he gained in-depth knowledge of corporate governance in public enterprises, administrative law, and commercial regulation.
Since 2021, he has been a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, and currently works as a university teaching assistant at the Faculty of Law, University of Oradea, where he is actively involved in academic instruction and legal research.
Teaching Areas at the Faculty of Law
– Civil Law – General Part
– Civil Law – Persons
– Civil Law – Obligations
– Civil Law – Special Contracts
– Civil Law – Successions
Fields of Specialization
- Civil Law – Including contract law, liability, inheritance, and real rights.
Corporate Governance of Public Enterprises – Legal advisory on compliance and structure for state-owned companies.
Languages Spoken
Languages spoken: Romanian, Hungarian and English
Ágota Dehelean – Administrative Coordinator
Ágota Dehelean is the person who ensures that the daily operations of our law firm run smoothly and efficiently. She is in charge of coordinating all administrative matters, from logistics and procurement to payroll, and communication with clients, partners, and service providers.
She is often the first friendly voice you’ll hear when getting in touch with our firm—reliable, professional, and always helpful.
Beyond internal operations, Ágota also plays a key role in managing our office’s relationship with business partners and handling workflow across departments, keeping things running behind the scenes.
Academic Background
Licensed Pharmacist – University of Oradea, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Class of 2005
Involvement in Medical Malpractice Cases
Thanks to her academic background in pharmacy, Ágota provides valuable support in medical malpractice cases, especially in clarifying the factual context and interpreting medical records. Her scientific knowledge helps our legal team navigate complex medical issues with accuracy and insight.
Key Strengths:
- Excellent organizational and administrative coordination skills
- Clear, empathetic communication with clients and collaborators
- Applied medical knowledge in support of legal strategy
- Discretion, professionalism, and meticulous attention to detail
Kovács & Associates
Legal expertises
© 2025 Kovács & Associates. All rights reserved.