Igor Popa

Extensive Courtroom & Litigation Experience

Participated in and conducted more than 1,000 court hearings and legal proceedings before investigative authorities, prosecution offices, first instance courts, appellate courts, supreme courts, arbitration tribunals, and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in complex criminal, corporate, financial, anti-corruption, and commercial disputes.

Registered Lawyer and Legal Adviser in Moldovan Law – Supreme Court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

July 2012 – Present

• Registered lawyer and legal adviser in Moldovan law before German courts and institutions.
• Advising international investors, corporations, and private clients on Moldovan and cross- border legal matters.
• Advising international corporate clients on cross-border investments, M&A transactions, white-collar crime, corporate governance, and dispute resolution matters across the European Union and CIS region.
• Leading complex international legal projects and coordinating multi-jurisdictional legal teams within GRATA International.

Senior Partner – GRATA International (European Union Practice)

• 2012 – Present

Managing Partner – Popa & Associates, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

August 2008 – 2012

• Leading legal practice specialized in M&A, corporate law, white-collar crime, anti- corruption, banking and finance, tax, and litigation.
• Responsible for strategic development, partner management, risk management, and supervision of major transactions and litigation projects.
• Team leader in cross-border M&A transactions and high-profile criminal defense matters.

Co-Managing Partner – Consult Group, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

August 2002 – 2008

• Managed legal assistance, financial audit, tax consulting, and investment advisory services.
• Supervised financial audit projects, IFRS and GAAP compliance reviews, and complex commercial transactions.
• Advised international clients on investments and corporate structuring in Moldova and Eastern Europe.

Principal Inspector – Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova – Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Department

February 2003 – June 2008

• Coordinated and supervised criminal investigations related to fraud and corruption.
• Conducted criminal prosecution activities, fraud audits, financial investigations, and forensic accounting reviews.
• Supervised investigative staff and ensured quality and compliance of investigative procedures.

Selected High-Profile Litigation & Criminal Defense Experience

Former Prime Minister of a European Country

• Represented the client in high-profile corruption and influence trafficking proceedings before anti-corruption authorities, prosecution offices, first instance courts, appellate courts, Supreme Courts, and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Achieved successful legal outcomes in politically sensitive proceedings.

Former Minister of Health

• Defended the client in abuse of power proceedings, including investigations, trial proceedings, appeals, and strategic criminal defense before national judicial authorities.

General Director of a Multinational Company

• Represented the executive in complex fraud and unlawful public procurement investigations and litigation involving corporate compliance and financial matters.

Business Groups and High-Net-Worth Individuals

• Represented groups of companies and businessmen in complex money laundering and financial crime investigations, including asset seizure, banking compliance, and cross-border financial transactions.

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Litigation

• Successfully represented clients before the ECHR in cases involving fair trial rights, unlawful prosecution, and procedural violations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Selected Mergers & Acquisitions Experience

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project – B. Braun Melsungen

• Advised and assisted in one of the largest healthcare public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the Republic of Moldova involving the implementation and development of hemodialysis services for the German multinational healthcare company B. Braun Melsungen AG. Provided legal support throughout the structuring, negotiation, regulatory, contractual, and implementation phases of the project. The project became one of the most significant healthcare PPP investments in Moldova and was subsequently sold for approximately EUR 50 million.

Eastern European Media & Television Acquisition

• Assisted in all stages of the acquisition of one of the largest media and television companies in Eastern Europe, including legal due diligence, transaction structuring, SPA negotiation, and transaction closing.

  Acquisition of a Sugar Factory in Moldova

• Represented a Polish investor in the acquisition process of a sugar production facility in Moldova, including due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiations, and SPA implementation.

Commercial Real Estate Acquisition for Indonesian Industrial Group

• Assisted a multi-billion-dollar Indonesian company in legal due diligence and assessment of commercial real estate assets in Europe for the establishment of a manufacturing facility.

Central American Investment Fund – Cross-Border Acquisitions

• Advised one of the leading Central American investment funds in connection with the acquisition of two Moldovan private companies in transactions with a combined value exceeding EUR 42 million. Assisted throughout all stages of the transactions, including legal due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiations, SPA drafting, regulatory compliance, and closing.

Egyptian Pharmaceutical Distribution Group – Complex Fiscal & Customs Litigation

• Represented one of the largest pharmaceutical distribution companies from Egypt in a complex fiscal litigation matter concerning the annulment of administrative acts related to customs duties and VAT obligations for imported pharmaceutical products. Developed litigation strategy and represented the client in proceedings involving customs regulations, tax law, and administrative disputes.

State Road Administration of the Republic of Moldova – International Arbitration & Litigation

• Successfully advised and represented the Moldovan State Road Administration before the Court of Milan and the Court of Venice, Italy, in proceedings related to infrastructure development agreements and contractual disputes. Assisted in complex arbitration and litigation matters concerning contractual performance with claims exceeding EUR 15 million.

Major Romanian Construction Company – Construction & Industrial Projects

Expanded International Conferences & Professional Engagements

2009 – 2010 – Business Week Moldova – Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

• Moderator and participant in conferences dedicated to investment risks, foreign direct investments, and business development in Moldova.

2009 – Moldovan-American Investment Forum on Public-Private Partnerships – Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

• Moderator and participant in discussions regarding PPP projects, infrastructure investments, and international cooperation.

2009 – Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights – Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

• Speaker and moderator at professional seminars dedicated to intellectual property protection and commercial law.

2010 – Conference 'Renewable Energy in the Republic of Moldova' – Potsdam, Germany

• Organizer, participant, and speaker regarding renewable energy investments and legal frameworks for infrastructure projects.

2010 – Conference 'Benefits of Investments in the Republic of Moldova – Gateway Between the EU and CIS Countries' – Bucharest, Romania

• Organizer and participant together with representatives of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and international investors.

2013 – 2014 – Institute for Law and Finance (ILF), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany

• Participant in international academic and professional conferences related to banking, finance, compliance, investment law, and financial regulation.

2015 – 2025 – International Bar Association (IBA) Conferences – Europe

• Participant in international legal conferences and networking forums related to white-collar crime, anti-corruption investigations, mergers & acquisitions, banking & finance law, international arbitration, and corporate governance.

2016 – 2025 – European Investment & Business Forums – Germany, Romania, Austria, Moldova, UAE

Founder – Online Academy for Law, Finance & International Business

Founder and coordinator of an international online educational academy focused on advanced legal, financial, banking, corporate, investment, and compliance training for lawyers, entrepreneurs, investors, finance professionals, and students. The academy provides practical and academic education in the following areas: