Cătălin-Gabriel Stănescu

About

Academic experience

Reverse-chronological overview

  1. Visiting Researcher

    Singapore / Remote

    Centre for Banking and Finance Law, National University of Singapore

    Academic visiting position. Conducted research on informal debt collection regulation in Southeast Asia and Australia.

    2024 – 2025
  2. Senior Visiting Scholar

    Hamburg, Germany

    Max Planck Institute for Comparative and Private International Law

    Academic visiting position. Research stay funded by the Carlsberg Foundation.

    2024
  3. Visiting Senior Researcher

    Florence, Italy

    European University Institute, Department of Law

    Academic visiting position. Research on regulation of informal debt collection practices.

    2023
  4. Visiting Lecturer

    Poznań, Poland

    Faculty of Law, University of Poznań

    Academic visiting position. Lectured on legal issues concerning virtual property.

    2023
  5. Visiting Lecturer

    Oslo, Norway

    North Sea Energy Law Master Program (University Consortium), University of Oslo, Faculty of Law

    Academic visiting position. Comparative aspects of decommissioning oil and gas installations.

    2022
  6. Associate Professor (tenured)

    Odense, Denmark

    Faculty of Business and Social Science, Department of Law, University of Southern Denmark

    Academic position. Full-time faculty role focusing on debt collection regulation, energy law, and consumer finance.

    • Research in regulatory examinations and critical thinking; Teaching international and comparative law courses
    2021 – Present
  7. External Lecturer

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen

    Academic position. Created and taught the course 'Introduction to Digital Law'.

    2021 – 2023
  8. Visiting Associate Professor (suspended due to COVID-19)

    Chongqing, China

    Southwest University of Political Science and Law, School of Artificial Intelligence and Law

    Academic visiting position. Planned teaching in digital law.

    2020 – 2022
  9. Marie Curie Fellow

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law, Centre for Market and Economic Law

    Academic fellowship. EU-funded research on consumer law and debt collection.

    2019 – 2021
  10. Visiting Senior Researcher

    Dundee, Scotland

    Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy, University of Dundee

    Academic visiting position. Research on petroleum agreements and environmental liability.

    2019
  11. Visiting Research Fellow

    Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University

    Academic visiting position. Private Law Department, research in consumer and energy law.

    2019
  12. Visiting Lecturer

    Oslo, Norway

    North Sea Energy Law Master Program (University Consortium), University of Oslo, Faculty of Law

    Academic visiting position. Comparative aspects of decommissioning oil and gas installations.

    2019
  13. Visiting Lecturer

    Bucharest, Romania

    Academy of Economic Studies, Faculty of Marketing & Faculty of Cybernetics

    Academic visiting position. Lectured on EU Consumer Law.

    2018
  14. Visiting Professor

    Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Faculty of Law, Babeș-Bolyai University

    Academic visiting position. Teaching Introduction to Energy Law and Sustainability.

    2017 – Present
  15. Postdoctoral Researcher

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law, Centre for Enterprise Liability

    Academic position. Research on energy contracts and liability in debt collection practices.

    • Teaching International Energy Law, EU Consumer Protection Law, Comparative Corporate Governance, Arbitration
    2016 – 2019
  16. Visiting Professor

    Szeged, Hungary

    Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Szeged

    Academic visiting position. Teaching Atypical Contracts (LL.M. and doctoral level).

    2016 – Present
  17. Visiting Doctoral Researcher

    London, United Kingdom

    Queen Mary University of London, CCLS & IALS

    Academic visiting position. Research in commercial and insolvency law.

    2013
  18. Visiting Doctoral Researcher

    Hamburg, Germany

    Max Planck Institute for Comparative and Private International Law

    Academic visiting position. Research in private international law.

    2013

Grants

Reverse-chronological overview

  1. Conference Organisation Sponsorship Grant (10,700 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    The Carlsberg Foundation

    Scholarship/Grant. Funding to organize an international conference.

    2025
  2. Visiting Research Fellowship (7,230 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    The Carlsberg Foundation

    Scholarship/Grant. Support for visiting research fellowship.

    2024
  3. Research Scholarship (9,000 EUR)

    Hamburg, Germany

    Max Planck Institute for Comparative and Private International Law

    Scholarship/Grant. Research funding during senior visiting scholarship.

    2023
  4. Visiting Research Fellowship (78,700 EUR)

    Singapore

    National University of Singapore

    Scholarship/Grant. Funded visiting research at NUS.

    2023
  5. Visiting Research Fellowship (Competitive)

    Florence, Italy

    European University Institute

    Scholarship/Grant. Competitive visiting fellowship award.

    2022
  6. Talent Track Program (34,500 EUR)

    Odense, Denmark

    University of Southern Denmark

    Scholarship/Grant. Talent Track research funding.

    2022
  7. Conference Organisation Sponsorship Grant (7,500 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    The Carlsberg Foundation

    Scholarship/Grant. Conference organization funding.

    2021
  8. Mobility Grant for Young Researchers Located Abroad (1,200 EUR)

    Bucharest, Romania

    Romanian Ministry of Research and Youth

    Scholarship/Grant. Mobility support.

    2019
  9. Conference Organisation Sponsorship Grant (7,000 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Dreyers Fond

    Scholarship/Grant. Conference organization funding.

    2019
  10. Conference Sponsorship Grant (6,800 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    The Carlsberg Foundation

    Scholarship/Grant. Conference participation/organization support.

    2018
  11. Research Abroad Grant (14,000 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Independent Research Fund Denmark

    Scholarship/Grant. Research stay abroad.

    2018
  12. Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (220,000 EUR)

    Brussels, Belgium

    European Commission

    Scholarship/Grant. EU-funded individual research fellowship.

    2018
  13. Conference Organisation Sponsorship Grant (3,500 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Dreyers Fond

    Scholarship/Grant. Conference organization funding.

    2018
  14. Conference Sponsorship Grant (5,500 EUR)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    The Carlsberg Foundation

    Scholarship/Grant. Conference support.

    2017
  15. Award for Advanced Doctoral Students

    Budapest, Hungary

    Central European University

    Award. Recognition for advanced doctoral research.

    2014
  16. Research and Study Tuition Waiver (1,500 EUR)

    London, United Kingdom

    Queen Mary School of Law, University of London

    Scholarship/Grant. Tuition waiver for research/study.

    2013
  17. Research Grant (3,800 EUR)

    Budapest, Hungary

    Central European University

    Scholarship/Grant. Research funding.

    2013
  18. Research Grant (800 EUR)

    Budapest, Hungary

    Central European University

    Scholarship/Grant. Research funding.

    2013
  19. Upgraded Fellowship for Outstanding Results

    Budapest, Hungary

    Central European University

    Award. Fellowship upgrade for outstanding performance.

    2011
  20. Financial Grant for Outstanding Results

    Bucharest, Romania

    National School for Political and Administrative Studies

    Award. Merit-based financial grant during MA studies.

    2004 – 2006

Legal experiences

Reverse-chronological overview

  1. Of Counsel

    Bucharest, Romania (Remote)

    LegalHUB Romania

    Non-academic legal practice. Project-based legal advice in debt collection, contracts, energy, and insolvency law.

    2016 – Present
  2. Senior Associate Attorney

    Bucharest, Romania (Hybrid)

    Bordianu and Associates

    Non-academic legal practice. Civil, commercial, and energy law practice.

    2013 – 2016
  3. Expert Coordinator for Legal Affairs and Licensing

    Bucharest & Timișoara, Romania

    NIS Petrol SRL (Gazprom Group)

    Non-academic legal practice. Coordinated legal affairs and licensing in the petroleum industry.

    2012 – 2013
  4. Attorney at Law

    Ploiești, Romania

    Stanescu Catalin-Gabriel Law Office

    Non-academic legal practice. Private law litigation and consultancy.

    2009 – 2012
  5. In-house Lawyer

    Ploiești, Romania

    SC OMV Petrom SA

    Non-academic legal practice. Provided legal services for Exploration & Production division.

    2009
  6. Managing Partner

    Ploiești, Romania

    Stanescu and Dumitrescu Associated Law Offices

    Non-academic legal practice. Litigation and legal representation in civil, administrative, labour, and commercial law.

    2007 – 2009
  7. Attorney at Law

    Ploiești, Romania

    Stanescu Catalin-Gabriel Law Office

    Non-academic legal practice. Litigation and consultancy in private law.

    2006 – 2007

Talks and conferences

Reverse-chronological overview

  1. The Triumph of Technological Populism: Musk, Trump and the Challenges of Digital Governance

    Iași, Romania

    International Conference ‘Go Digital in Law’ (8th ed.), Al. I. Cuza University of Iași

    Invited talk. Digital governance challenges in contemporary politics.

    2025
  2. The Responsible Consumer in the Digital Age 2 – Evolving Perspectives on Consumer Protection, Sustainability, and AI – the Nordics and Beyond

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    University of Southern Denmark & University of Utrecht

    Conference organization. Co-organized international conference.

    2025
  3. Algorithmic Indebtedness: Vulnerability, Platform Credit, and the Infrastructural Politics of Consumer Finance

    Denmark

    The Responsible Consumer in the Digital Age 2

    Conference presentation. Consumer finance and platforms.

    2025
  4. An empirical evaluation of informal debt collection regulation in South East Asia and Australia

    United States

    Conference ‘Coerced Debt, Identity Theft, and Financial Exploitation’, Rutgers Law School

    Invited talk. Comparative study of informal debt collection regulation.

    2024
  5. The Making of the Debtor Society

    Netherlands

    ‘Social Justice, Private Law and Europe 2004–2044’, University of Amsterdam

    Conference presentation. Private law and social justice.

    2024
  6. The Role of Industry Codes of Conducts in Tackling Abusive Debt Collection. Evidence from FENCA Members

    United Kingdom

    ‘Global Challenges for Consumer Law and Policy in Contemporary Europe’, Cambridge

    Conference presentation. Codes of conduct and debt collection.

    2024
  7. Contracts and Consumers

    Norway

    Workshop ‘Research Methods in Contract Law’, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

    Invited talk. Methods in contract law research.

    2023
  8. Sustainable (and) Justice for All?

    Denmark

    International Workshop on Renewable Energy and Sustainability, University of Southern Denmark

    Keynote address. Sustainability and justice themes.

    2022
  9. The Role of the Constitutional Court in Transforming Consumer Financial Protection Laws in Romania

    United Kingdom

    International Conference ‘Transformation of Consumer Law’, University of Warwick

    Invited talk. Constitutional court’s impact on consumer law.

    2022
  10. The Enforcement of Consumer Financial Protection Rules in Romania

    Online

    ‘Enforcing EU Consumer and Market Law – 10 Years of EuCML’

    Conference presentation. Enforcement of consumer protection rules.

    2022
  11. The Communist Legacy of Romanian Consumer Credit Laws

    Netherlands

    SASE 33rd Annual Conference, University of Amsterdam

    Conference presentation. Historical legacy in credit law.

    2022
  12. Regulation of Abusive Informal Debt Collection Practices – Could the Scandinavian Model Serve as a Model for EU Regulation?

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law

    Conference organization. Organized international conference.

    2021
  13. Harmonization of Legal Framework Concerning Abusive Informal Debt Collection Practices in the EU

    Denmark

    International Conference on EU Debt Collection Regulation, University of Copenhagen

    Conference presentation. Harmonization of debt collection.

    2021
  14. Harmonization of Legal Framework Concerning Abusive Informal Debt Collection Practices in the EU

    South Korea

    The 2021 Global Forum for Financial Consumers

    Conference presentation. International perspective on harmonization.

    2021
  15. Face Off: Digital Debt Collection Meets the FDCPA: Challenges, Risks, Opportunities

    Romania (Online)

    Legal Tech & Innovation Conference ‘Legal Accelerators’

    Invited talk. Digital debt collection and FDCPA.

    2020
  16. A Critical Assessment of the Current Legal Framework Concerning Abusive Debt Collection Practices in the EU

    Serbia

    International Scientific Conference ‘The Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers’, Union University School of Law

    Conference presentation. EU debt collection framework.

    2020
  17. A Critical Assessment of the Current Legal Framework Concerning Abusive Debt Collection Practices in the EU

    Australia (Online)

    IACL International Seminars Series, University of Sydney

    Conference presentation. International seminars series.

    2020
  18. A Critical Assessment of the Current Legal Framework Concerning Abusive Debt Collection Practices in the EU

    South Africa (Online)

    4th Bi-Annual International Consumer Law Conference, University of Pretoria

    Conference presentation. Consumer law conference.

    2020
  19. A Critical Assessment of the Current Legal Framework Concerning Abusive Debt Collection Practices in the EU

    Online

    SASE’s 32nd Annual Conference

    Conference presentation. Annual conference presentation.

    2020
  20. Face Off: Digital Debt Collection Meets the FDCPA – Challenges, Risks, Opportunities

    Online

    SASE’s 32nd Annual Conference

    Conference presentation. Digital debt collection and FDCPA.

    2020
  21. The Triumph of Stability in Energy Agreements: A Show of Strength?

    Finland

    Energy Transitions 2020 Conference, University of Eastern Finland Law School

    Conference presentation. Stability in energy agreements.

    2020
  22. Environmental Liability Arising from Termination of Petroleum Operations

    Peru

    International Conference and Workshop, Ministry for Energy and Mines

    Invited talk. Environmental liability in petroleum operations.

    2019
  23. Environmental Liability in Multi-Tier Petroleum Contracts

    United Kingdom

    3rd Dundee Energy Forum, University of Dundee

    Invited talk. Liability in petroleum contracts.

    2019
  24. Fair and Non-Discriminatory Access to Financial Services

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law

    Conference organization. Organized thematic conference.

    2019
  25. ‘In Memoriam Anita Rønne’ – The North Sea and Beyond: The Challenges of Oil and Gas Installations

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law

    Conference organization. Organized memorial/thematic conference.

    2019
  26. Face-Off: Digital Debt Collection Meets the FDCPA – Risks, Challenges, Opportunities

    Denmark

    SURPASS IRN International Conference ‘Fair and Non-Discriminatory Access to Financial Services’, University of Copenhagen

    Conference presentation. FDCPA and digital collection.

    2019
  27. Regulatory Arbitrage and Non-Judicial Debt Collection in Central and Eastern Europe – Tax Avoidance and Money Laundering

    United States

    SASE’s 31st Annual Conference, Columbia University

    Conference presentation. Arbitrage, tax, and AML in CEE.

    2019
  28. Comparative Aspects Concerning Oil and Gas Decommissioning in Denmark and Romania

    Denmark

    ‘In Memoriam Anita Rønne’ – The North Sea and Beyond, University of Copenhagen

    Conference presentation. Decommissioning in O&G.

    2019
  29. Considerații privind eșecurile României în soluționarea practicilor abuzive de colectare a creanțelor

    Romania

    Romanian–Danish Symposium, Al. I. Cuza University of Iași

    Keynote. Challenges of unfair debt collection in Romania.

    2018
  30. A Study In Gold: Gabriel Resources v Romania

    United Kingdom

    Jean Monnet Chair Workshop, Queen Mary University of London – CCLS

    Invited talk. Investment agreement impacts under BITs.

    2018
  31. Energy and the Sea

    Denmark

    II TRAMEREN International Conference, University of Copenhagen

    Invited talk. Energy law and maritime issues.

    2018
  32. The Responsible Consumer in the Digital Age – International and Nordic Perspectives on Consumer Financial Protection

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Law

    Conference organization. Organized international conference.

    2018
  33. Perpetual Legal Reform and Hollowing of Consumer Rights

    Finland

    XIth International Conference 'Development of Russian Law', University of Helsinki

    Conference presentation. Consumer-debtor protection in CEE.

    2018
  34. Methods of Promoting Skills-Based Legal Education. An Experiment in Student Article Writing

    Sweden

    LERU Pedagogical Workshop, University of Lund

    Conference presentation. Legal education methods.

    2018
  35. The Responsible Consumer in the Digital Age. A Critique of the Information Paradigm

    Denmark

    International conference ‘The Responsible Consumer in the Digital Age’, University of Copenhagen

    Conference presentation. Information paradigm critique.

    2018
  36. Stabilization Mechanisms for Nuclear Investments vs Electricity Market Liberalization

    France

    6th ISEFI Symposium (Environment & Energy Finance Issues)

    Conference presentation. CfD and market liberalization.

    2018
  37. "Hey, Alexa, Where's My Private Data?"

    Lithuania

    6th International Conference of PhD Students and Young Researchers ‘Digitalization in Law’, University of Vilnius

    Conference presentation. Privacy and digitalization.

    2018
  38. Datio in Solutum – A Viable Solution for More Sustainable Financial Services?

    United Kingdom

    Law and Money 3rd Annual Conference: Law, Finance and Sustainability, University of Sheffield

    Conference presentation. Sustainable financial services.

    2017
  39. Dead End for Energy Concessions? – Effects of the Concession Directive on Investor Protection

    Finland

    5th Annual Energy Transitions Conference, University of Eastern Finland Law School

    Conference presentation. Energy concessions and investor protection.

    2017
  40. Search for Harmonization: Why the EU Needs to Regulate Unfair Debt Collection Practices

    Hungary

    Hungarian Academy of Sciences

    Invited talk. EU-level regulation on debt collection.

    2016
  41. Reluctance of Civil Law Countries in Adopting UCC 9 ‘Without Breach of Peace’ Standard

    Italy

    Italian Society of Law and Economics, University of Turin

    Conference presentation. Secured transactions standards.

    2016
  42. TTIP – Transatlantic Trade: Investment or Plunder?

    Hungary

    International Conference ‘Investment Arbitration and National Interest’, Central European University

    Conference presentation. Investment arbitration and TTIP.

    2016
  43. A Critical Look at the Romanian Post-Communist Secured Transactions Law

    Hungary

    Chinese–EU Law Conference, Central European University

    Invited talk. Comparative secured transactions law.

    2015
  44. Does the EU Need a Fair Debt Collection Practices Regulation?

    Romania

    National Conference ‘Valori juridice…’, Al. I. Cuza University of Iași

    Keynote. Need for EU-level fair debt collection regulation.

    2015
  45. Farm Out Agreements in Upstream Oil & Gas Contracts

    Hungary

    Energy Policy Research Group, CEU

    Invited talk. Upstream oil & gas contracts.

    2014
  46. Are Abusive Debt Collection Practices Arbitrable?

    Slovakia

    ‘Milestones of Law in Central Europe 2014’, Comenius University

    Conference presentation. Arbitrability of debt collection practices.

    2014
  47. Fraudulent Conveyances under US, Czech and Romanian Law

    Slovakia

    ‘Milestones of Law in Central Europe 2013’, Comenius University

    Conference presentation. Fraudulent conveyances comparative.

    2013
  48. Piercing the Corporate Veil – American Lessons for Romania and Slovakia

    Slovakia

    ‘Milestones of Law in Central Europe 2012’, Comenius University

    Conference presentation. Corporate veil in comparative perspective.

    2012
  49. The Corporate Sector in Romania

    Croatia

    International Conference ‘Economy and Democracy’, International University Center

    Conference presentation. Corporate sector overview.

    2011
  50. Self Help Repossession in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia

    Slovakia

    ‘Milestones of Law in Central Europe 2011’, Comenius University

    Conference presentation. Self-help repossession comparative.

    2011

Public service

Reverse-chronological overview

  1. Legal Advisor (Public Servant Status)

    Ploiești, Romania

    Ploiești City Hall

    Public service. Drafting legal memos, providing legal advice, and conducting litigation in civil and administrative law.

    2004 – 2006

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes…