Bernitsas Law is ranked in the Top Tier in the Legal 500 EMEA 2024 Guide.
'One of the most respected Law firms in Greece ... integrity and professionalism ... personal touch – always feel the company has your “back” ... immediate, deeply scientific response to all requests ... extremely high confidentiality standards ... ethos, hard-working approach, profound industry knowledge ... dedicated, and responsive ... efficient, business-oriented, value for money, keeping deadlines and motivated ... very experienced, professional and qualified team of adaptable problem solvers’
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
The ‘very experienced‘ team at Bernitsas Law provides an ‘innovative and commercial approach’ to lenders and borrowers across a broad swathe of transactional and regulatory work in the banking and capital markets sphere. Although it handles some more commoditised mandates, the team is best known for its aptitude at providing ‘solutions-oriented’ advice on complex transactions, including as it relates to work in the secondary market for non-performing loans (NPLs) and the structuring and implementation of securitisation transactions. The ‘exceptional’ Athanasia Tsene, who is lauded as a ‘true business partner’ as a result of her ability to provide ‘sharp and practical advice’, has been pivotal to the firm’s success in the NPL field, work which she combines with other, often highly structured finance transactions. Nikos Papachristopoulos has ‘extensive exposure and experience across all areas of banking, finance and capital markets’ and co-heads the team alongside Tsene. The team was strengthened at the beginning of 2024 by the arrival of fintech and payments expert Anastasia Mallerou and Pantazis Karamanolis, who adds tremendous gravitas to the practice in light of his vast in-house banking experience, from their own practices.
Hall of Fame: Nikos Papachristopoulos, Athanasia Tsene
Practice head(s): Nikos Papachristopoulos, Athanasia Tsene
Other key lawyers: Pantazis Karamanolis, Anastasia Mallerou, Maria Nefeli Bernitsa, Sildia Fotopoulou
Corporate and M&A
Advising global and domestic leaders, SMEs, and entrepreneurs from the finance, healthcare, and energy industries, the Bernitsas Law team is highly regarded for delivering the ‘highest level’ of service in relation to M&A and corporate governance issues. The practice has extensive cross-border capabilities, frequently dealing with high-profile commercial transactions in the context of foreign investment and new legislation. Based in Athens, Lambros Belessis and Nikos Papachristopoulos co-head the group, specialising in private sector mergers and capital markets matters. Experienced litigator Panayotis Bernitsas, Evi Kitsou, who focuses on company restructurings, and Iris Sotiriou are also highlighted as key members of the team.
Leading individuals: Evi Kitsou
Hall of Fame: Nikos Papachristopoulos, Panayotis Bernitsas
Rising stars: Iris Sotiriou
Practice head(s): Lambros Belessis, Nikos Papachristopoulos
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Evi Kitsou, Yannis Seiradakis, Linda Vasaka, Iris Sotiriou, Eleni Stazilova
Dispute Resolution
Retaining its place at the summit of the dispute resolution market, the Bernitsas Law team boasts vast experience in handling high-profile administrative, commercial and corporate crime disputes. Demonstrating widespread expertise across multiple fields of law, including competition, medical negligence, and insurance litigation, the practice also collaborates closely with the administrative department when dealing with procurement claims. From Athens, Panayotis Bernitsas brings over 35 years’ experience on the litigation front to the outfit, Christos Paraskevopoulos is an expert in fraud-related disputes, and Dimitris Roussis focuses on claims arising from the award of public tenders. Evangelos Mamalakis is knowledgeable in cases relating to financial contracts. Pelina Leontiadou is another name to note.
Leading individuals: Christos Paraskevopoulos, Dimitris Roussis
Rising stars: Pelina Leontiadou, Evangelos Mamalakis
Practice head(s): Panayotis Bernitsas, Christos Paraskevopoulos, Dimitris Roussis
Other key lawyers: Fotini Karra, Pelina Leontiadou, Evangelos Mamalakis
Energy
‘Client focused and swift to reply’, the energy team at Bernitsas Law has extensive experience in the project development and storage aspects of renewable energy initiatives, with a particular specialism in photovoltaic power. The practice is routinely involved in major M&A transactions in the conventional energy sector, ranging from oil and gas to electric and water, often representing the government and institutional investors. The Athens-based group is headed by the ‘outstanding’ Yannis Seiradakis, who specialises in complex privatisations and projects in the renewable space, while Panayotis Bernitsas handles all elements of transactional and litigation work. Eleni Stazilova regularly advises on project finance and public procurement.
Leading individuals: Yannis Seiradakis
Rising stars: Eleni Stazilova
Practice head(s): Yannis Seiradakis
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Eleni Stazilova
EU and Competition
Bernitsas Law is routinely involved in complex, cross-border merger cases before the European Commission and the Hellenic Competition Commission, covering industries ranging from maritime to energy. The practice demonstrates considerable strength in competition litigation claims and has a team of specialists providing advice on all areas of EU law. Based in Athens, ‘outstanding’ practice head Marina Androulakakis is an expert in EU and antitrust law, while Panayotis Bernitsas provides ‘invaluable strategic advice’ regarding renewable and conventional energy projects. The ‘very talented’ Tania Patsalia regularly assists clients with antitrust issues arising from their commercial agreements.
Leading individuals: Panayotis Bernitsas, Marina Androulakakis
Rising stars: Tania Patsalia
Practice head(s): Marina Androulakakis
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Tania Patsalia
Projects and Privatisation
The ‘hardworking, dedicated, and responsive’ projects team at Bernitsas Law specialises in the financing aspects of privatisations, project structuring and implementation, and the regulations governing tender procedures. Demonstrating specific industry expertise across the finance, technology and energy spheres, the practice is frequently called upon to represent Greek and international entities. Panayotis Bernitsas is an expert in major renewable and infrastructure initiatives, while Nikos Papachristopoulos focuses on take-over bids, and Dimitris Roussis is knowledgeable in public tender proceedings. Yannis Seiradakis has vast experience in acting on behalf of clients in the utilities and transport sectors.
Leading individuals: Yannis Seiradakis
Hall of Fame: Dimitris Roussis
Rising stars: Stella Papakosta
Practice head(s): Panayotis Bernitsas, Dimitris Roussis, Yannis Seiradakis
Other key lawyers: Nikos Papachristopoulos, Eleni Stazilova, Stella Papakosta, Anna Meletiou
Employment
Counting local and multinational entities from across the pharmaceutical, energy, and finance sectors amongst its clientele, the employment specialists at Bernitsas Law have established themselves as ‘adaptable problem solvers’. The practice has vast expertise in the employment-related aspects of cross-border M&A transactions and also frequently advises on whistleblowing claims, reporting compliance, and employment contracts. Panayotis Bernitsas heads the department, whilst the ‘knowledgeable’ Maria Kloni specialises in voluntary exit schemes, restructurings, and collective labour agreements.
Rising stars: Maria Kloni
Practice head(s): Panayotis Bernitsas
Other key lawyers: Maria Kloni
Intellectual Property
The specialist IP lawyers at Bernitsas Law are ‘hardworking, efficient and productive’, demonstrating vast expertise in patent infringement, trade mark disputes and software licensing agreements. The group is well equipped to manage litigation arising in the pharmaceutical, automobile and technology industries, with Lambros Belessis leading the practice from Athens, bringing 35 years’ experience in advising on IP-related aspects of medical devices and beverages to the department. Yannis Chryssospathis is knowledgeable in EU pharmaceutical law.
Practice head(s): Lambros Belessis
Other key lawyers: Yannis Chryssospathis
Real Estate and Construction
With a successful track record in advising on complex corporate transactions, ownership structures, developments and financings, the Athens-based Bernitsas Law real estate team shows ‘exceptional immediacy’ in responding to its international and domestic clients. The practice routinely acts in hospitality, residential and office space developments, with the leading duo of Panayotis Bernitsas and Lambros Belessis being experts in infrastructure projects and corporate restructuring. Christina Zakopoulou acts for investors, private equity funds and developers.
Hall of Fame: Panayotis Bernitsas
Rising stars: Christina Zakopoulou
Practice head(s): Panayotis Bernitsas, Lambros Belessis
Other key lawyers: Christina Zakopoulou
Restructuring and Insolvency
The ‘sharp and responsive’ team at Bernitsas Law provides ‘very accessible and customised advice’ to lenders and borrowers across a range of restructuring and insolvency matters, running the gamut from balance sheet restructurings and distressed M&A through to advice on administrations, workouts and receiverships. Under the guidance of the ‘exceptional’ Athanasia Tsene, and Lambros Belessis the team remains a prominent player in the secondary market for NPLs - whether acting as Greek counsel to an investor, the originator bank, the arranger or the note and security trustee. As part of her broad corporate and commercial expertise, Evi Kitsou regularly provides ‘succinct and on-point advice’ to clients on refinancing matters.
Leading individuals: Athanasia Tsene
Practice head(s): Lambros Belessis, Athanasia Tsene
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Nikos Papachristopoulos, Evi Kitsou, Yannis Seiradakis, Linda Vasaka
Tax
Deploying a tax-focused perspective when advising companies on restructurings, planning and policy, and asset ownership, the Bernitsas Law tax team specialises in dealing with high-value tax disputes and general advisory work. The team consistently represents individuals and corporations in investigations, audits, and dawn raids, with the two Athens-based heads Panayotis Bernitsas and Fotodotis Malamas bringing over 70 years’ experience in litigious and transactional proceedings to the practice, along with complex competition and antitrust law issues.
Next Generation Partners: Fotodotis Malamas
Practice head(s): Panayotis Bernitsas, Fotodotis Malamas
TMT
Acting on behalf of international technology corporations and telecoms providers, Bernitsas Law displays ‘excellent technical skills’ when handling complex M&A and strategic partnership transactions in the TMT sector. The team shows considerable strength in the data privacy and cybersecurity spheres, with Athens-based practice head Marina Androulakakis being an expert in EU, competition and regulatory law matters. Highlighted as ‘very committed and technically great’, Tania Patsalia regularly assists clients with antitrust and competition law issues.
Leading individuals: Marina Androulakakis
Rising stars: Tania Patsalia
Practice head(s): Marina Androulakakis
Other key lawyers: Tania Patsalia
White Collar Crime
Led by the Athens-based duo of Panayotis Bernitsas and Christos Paraskevopoulos, the Bernitsas Law team specialises in financial and corporate crime matters, with a growing focus on AML compliance measures. Bernitsas has more than 35 years’ experience in the transactional, advisory, and litigious spheres, whilst Paraskevopoulos is an expert in fraud and white-collar crime disputes. Evangelos Mamalakis focuses on joint venture and M&A, and Pelina Leontiadou has expertise in corporate governance matters.
Leading individuals: Christos Paraskevopoulos
Rising stars: Evangelos Mamalakis
Practice head(s): Panayotis Bernitsas, Christos Paraskevopoulos
Other key lawyers: Evangelos Mamalakis, Pelina Leontiadou, Fotini Karra
Insurance
Demonstrating substantial strength in advising on the negotiation of insurance contracts and regulatory issues, the Bernitsas Law insurance team is highly regarded for representing Greek and international companies. Based out of Athens, Lambros Belessis leads the practice, specialising in private sector mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructurings. Evi Kitsou is an expert on the insurance, consumer goods and automobile industries, and Christos Paraskevopoulos is knowledgeable in contractual disputes.
Practice head(s): Lambros Belessis
Other key lawyers: Evi Kitsou, Christos Paraskevopoulos
