Bernitsas is ranked in the Top Bands by Chambers Europe in their 2019 Guide to Europe’s Leading Lawyers for Business. 'accurate and on schedule' 'just excellent: very hands-on, responsive and service-oriented ... all of them are very nice, personable and a pleasure to work with' 'valuable legal advice, commercial knowledge and fast responses' 'extremely fast responses ... really knows our business ... good internal organisation and can draw on expertise in different areas'
Banking & Finance
Market-leading team assisting with cross-border finance transactions, including foreign direct investment. Has experience of capital markets deals, including private placements. Known for handling project finance mandates, particularly in the energy sector. Also advises international investment banks on corporate lending to Greek companies and on the Greek aspects of pan-European finance deals. The firm is popular with both financial institutions and public and private companies for financial restructuring advice, as well as assisting with regulatory matters, securitisations and issues pertaining to non-performing loan transactions. One client highlights the 'excellent' lawyers' efficiency and speed: 'They were accurate and on schedule.' Another source notes: 'I was impressed with their breadth of knowledge in Greek banking law and regulation.' The market-leading Athanasia Tsene acts on complex matters involving portfolios of bond loans and NPLs. One client says: 'She is always available, devoted to her clients, very smart and truly an expert in Greek banking law. She knows the relevant regulations off the top of her head, prepares an incredibly comprehensive analysis of the issues and provides very practical advice.' Star associate Dionysis Flambouras assists with NPLs as well as the acquisition and restructuring of bond loans. His mandates relate to real estate and project finance, often with cross-border aspects. Sources are 'impressed by his speed and responsiveness.' Nikos Papachristopoulos is praised for his capital markets expertise, handling both ECM and DCM mandates. He has experience in private placements, tender offers and the delisting of shares, with transactions often pertaining to the real estate sector. Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas enjoys an excellent reputation, and clients benefit from his long-standing experience in the field. He advises on complex mandates, with a particular focus on project finance deals.
Competition / European Law
Well-recognised corporate firm with a respected competition law practice. Acts for an impressive roster of clients on all aspects of competition law, with a particular focus on merger control and distribution issues. Additionally involved in concession and procurement matters. Also has experience assisting with antitrust infringement mandates, including dawn raids. Augustine Almyroudi is recognised for her merger clearance and transaction-related competition practice. She also advises clients on compliance and distribution topics, and has experience of contentious mandates. Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is a prominent figure in competition law, with a strong track record in transactional, regulatory and contentious matters. Sources laud his market-leading experience and knowledge.
Corporate/Commercial
Boasts a broad corporate and commercial practice, well supported by the firm's highly regarded financing and competition offerings. Has a strong transactional focus, advising on public and private M&A, as well as assisting international clients with global mergers and corporate restructurings. Has an extensive track record in privatisations and the spin-off of assets, including acting for a number of Greek and foreign banks. Also active on advisory mandates, from commercial agreements to corporate governance. Clients hail from a range of sectors, including insurance, transportation, energy, telecoms and pharmaceuticals. Interviewees say that the lawyers are 'just excellent: very hands-on, responsive and service-oriented. All of them are very nice, personable and a pleasure to work with.' One client states: 'I most appreciate the team's valuable legal advice, commercial knowledge and fast responses.' Evi Kitsou progresses in the rankings following positive market feedback. Clients state: 'She is very fast and has strong experience in corporate and commercial topics. She is friendly, dedicated, always available, reliable and keeps to deadlines.' She assists with a range of acquisitions and divestments. Nikos Papachristopoulos impresses across the M&A and finance sectors. One client describes him as "very smooth, co-operative, supportive and prompt in his replies," adding: "He has a very complete overview of the details for all the transactions he is involved in."He acts on key mandates for banks, investment companies, private equity funds and corporates. Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas has significant experience in complex M&A matters, as well as restructuring mandates. He is a highly regarded figure in the corporate and transactional arena.
Dispute Resolution
Maintains its top-tier ranking on account of its strong market recognition and high-profile instructions from clients. Represents companies in corporate and commercial litigation, which often involves the termination of contractual agreements. Defends companies facing civil and white-collar crime cases relating to employment and tax law. Also has proven capabilities in administrative and public law litigation, including cases linked to public tenders and breach of public contracts. Has strong expertise in the banking and finance sector, as well as the TMT and pharmaceutical industries. Handles international disputes, including arbitration proceedings. Experience assisting clients with litigation against the Greek state. One client praises the 'very efficient team' that provides 'extremely fast responses' and 'really knows our business.' This source goes on to say: 'They have good internal organisation and can draw on expertise in different areas. They are always up to date on current legislation.' Another source appreciates the fact that 'everything was done smoothly and on time,' and also praises the team's capacity to handle international issues. One client says that the 'pragmatic' Christos Paraskevopoulos is 'very straightforward and client-oriented.' This source also praises his ability to find solutions to issues. He handles a broad range of commercial disputes for clients from the insurance, banking and automotive sectors. Clients say that Dimitris Roussis 'shows a lot of patience, shows great listening skills and has the ability to find very good arguments.' He deals with litigation and arbitration proceedings, and frequently handles public law disputes. George Atie assists with various disputes, with experience of cases involving the insurance and banking industries. Clients state: 'He is always hands-on, very committed, very enthusiastic and keen to end the case successfully. He fights a lot for our interests and has very good experience in litigation and arbitration.'
Employment
Respected team advising multinational and domestic clients on a range of contentious and non-contentious labour issues. Particularly knowledgeable in employment termination and dismissals, including redundancies. Also assists with transaction-related mandates and transfer of undertaking matters, including pensions topics. Has additional labour law expertise in data protection compliance. One source admires the team's 'excellent service,' explaining that the practitioners 'always respond immediately and are always available.' Head of department Katia Papantonopoulou is noted for her 'experience and deep knowledge.' She assists clients with the full range of compliance, advisory and contentious employment law topics.
Energy
Full-service group advising both international and domestic clients on energy matters. Assists with public tenders and privatisations, project development, financing, M&A and regulatory compliance. Has expertise in the oil and gas sector. Also knowledgeable in renewable energy and wind farm projects. Interviewees note the team's 'significant track record in the energy market.'
Real Estate
Experienced department acting for real estate funds, investment firms and developers. Also advises the Greek state on real estate tenders. Assists with large transactions and conveyance mandates, with experience of high-end residential properties and hotels, including the divestment of property portfolios. Nikos Vouhiounis is described as 'very business-oriented' by sources. He has experience advising the Greek state and investment funds on real estate transactions and contractual matters.
Restructuring/Insolvency
Strong team with particular experience in the restructuring of state-owned assets. Regularly acts for lenders, borrowers and other stakeholders in distressed situations. Maintains its stellar track record in assisting Greek banks with refinancing, restructuring and recapitalisation. Also advises on NPL-related topics. Acts for banking syndicates and major companies on deals, often involving cross-border considerations. Athanasia Tsene is 'extremely impressive,' according to one source. She advises banks, servicing platforms and insurance companies on insolvency issues and debt restructuring transactions.
Tax
Full-service tax offering that works closely with the firm's M&A and dispute resolution teams. Advises corporates on mitigating regulatory risks and preparing for legislative changes. Handles cross-border mandates, often assisting international clients with their operations in Greece, including transactions, joint ventures and transfer pricing issues. One client appreciates the team's 'clear and analytic overview of the steps we should follow,' adding that 'they updated us on new developments and legislation.' A second client praises the group's 'excellent service, highlighting the lawyers' 'immediate response and availability.' Star associate Fotodotis Malamas is a highly respected practitioner in the tax market. He is experienced in a broad range of corporate and transactional tax matters, as well as VAT and stamp duty. Clients describe him as 'very knowledgeable, diligent and attentive to detail.'
TMT
Full-service corporate firm with a notable TMT department. Significant experience in data protection and GDPR issues, often advising IT and technology companies. Advises TMT clients on regulatory and compliance matters, as well as transactional mandates. Assists foreign companies wishing to provide telecoms and media services in Greece. Also advises on agreements in the television industry relating to advertising, sponsorship, production and distribution matters. A satisfied client praises the 'well-informed' lawyers for their 'deep knowledge and experience.' A second source enjoys the department's full-service offering, adding: 'They can cover complex matters.'
