Bernitsas is ranked in the Top Tier in the Legal 500 EMEA 2026 Guide.
'Bernitsas Law is an outstanding firm with highly experienced lawyers. They can lead and close even the most complex of deals. Having worked with a number of lawyers at all levels, each of them is skilled, professional and very responsive.'
'The quality, commitment and commerciality exhibited by the Bernitsas team was incomparable.'
'Excellent, professional, friendly team. Responsive, helpful and a one-stop shop for doing business in Greece.'
'Outstanding dedication and knowledge - they are extremely responsive and committed to getting the deal done to the highest standards.'
'The team is recognised for its technical knowledge, professional integrity, and clear communication. Their prompt availability, attention to detail, and commitment to practical solutions ensure they are reliable advisors.'
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
Bernitsas Law, praised by clients as an 'outstanding firm with highly experienced lawyers', advises on domestic and cross-border transactions for major banks, investment firms, funds, and public and private companies. The team is jointly led by Maria Nefeli Bernitsa, Nikos Papachristopoulos and Athanasia Tsene. Bernitsa, commended for her 'impressive legal expertise' and 'interpersonal skills', specialises in financial services and ESG law, with recent work involving corporate restructuring, financing and privatisation transactions. Papachristopoulos focuses on capital markets, corporate and M&A matters, including IPOs and equity investment and capital raising. Tsene brings expertise in banking and finance, advising on sale and purchase agreements, refinancing and restructuring. Sildia Fotopoulou frequently assists on renewable energy and banking-related transactions.
Hall of Fame: Nikos Papachristopoulos, Athanasia Tsene
Next Generation Partners: Maria Nefeli Bernitsa
Other key lawyers: Sildia Fotopoulou
Commercial, Corporate and M&A
Bernitsas Law is a 'one-stop shop' in corporate and M&A, providing high-stakes transactional and regulatory counsel to global corporates, investors, and institutions across sectors including insurance, renewable energy, healthcare, and construction. Co-leader Lambros Belessis excels in structuring and negotiating commercial transactions and joint ventures. Co-leader Nikos Papachristopoulos specialises in capital markets and M&A, focusing on listings, offerings, and takeovers of listed companies. Panayotis Bernitsas has expertise in competition law. Maria Nefeli Bernitsa is experienced in IPOs, private placements, M&A, and private equity. Evi Kitsou advises on corporate transactions and compliance in regulated industries. Yannis Seiradakis, Linda Vasaka and Eleni Stazilova are also key contacts.
Hall of Fame: Panayotis Bernitsas, Nikos Papachristopoulos
Leading partners: Lambros Belessis, Evi Kitsou
Next Generation Partners: Eleni Stazilova
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Maria Nefeli Bernitsa, Evi Kitsou, Yannis Seiradakis, Linda Vasaka, Eleni Stazilova, Ria Venaki
Dispute Resolution
Representing top clients before the Athens Court of Appeals and First Instance Administrative Court, Bernitsas Law remains a leading firm in the Greek litigation market. The practice has expertise across the finance, energy and pharma sectors, covering corporate crime, commercial, administrative and competition matters. It is led by Panayotis Bernitsas, Christos Paraskevopoulos and Dimitris Roussis. Bernitsas has extensive experience in EU and antitrust law matters. Paraskevopoulos is an expert in contractual disputes, including agency and distribution cases. Roussis is an 'outstanding lawyer with incomparable skills,' experienced in public procurement, administrative litigation and privatisations. Evangelos Mamalakis focuses on commercial and financial contract disputes. Fotini Karra, Pelina Leontiadou, Mara Lissari, Anna Meletiou and Lina Mastrogiannopoulou round out the team.
Leading partners: Christos Paraskevopoulos, Dimitris Roussis
Next Generation Partners: Evangelos Mamalakis
Leading associates: Pelina Leontiadou
Other key lawyers: Evangelos Mamalakis, Fotini Karra, Pelina Leontiadou, Mara Lissari, Anna Meletiou, Lina Mastrogiannopoulou
Energy
Noted for its 'proven expertise in a vast number of energy-related transactions', Bernitsas Law offers both contentious and non-contentious expertise, spanning M&A, restructuring, joint ventures, and arbitration. Heading up the team, Yannis Seiradakis focuses on privatisations, M&A, and cross-border arbitration proceedings, while managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is recognised for concession projects and joint ventures. Eleni Stazilova, praised by clients as a 'unique practitioner', specialises in commercial contracts across diverse sectors including metals, oil and gas, and renewable energy. Other key contacts also include Stella Papakosta and Manto Karamanou, who support on a range of projects.
Leading partners: Yannis Seiradakis
Leading associates: Eleni Stazilova
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Eleni Stazilova, Stella Papakosta, Manto Karamanou
EU and Competition
Celebrated for its 'exceptional availability, proactivity, and deep subject-matter expertise', Bernitsas Law advises market-leading Greek and international clients on merger control, antitrust compliance, and major competition clearances across industries. Panayotis Bernitsas is a highly respected expert in EU and competition law, handling major antitrust cases, regulatory investigations, and complex disputes, and is well-versed in managing actions before the high courts. Practice head Marina Androulakakis advises on merger control, state aid, data protection, and regulatory compliance. Tania Patsalia specialises in competition, data privacy, AI, and telecoms law, advising on compliance issues relating to innovation and emerging tech. The team continues to represent clients before the Hellenic Competition Commission.
Hall of Fame: Panayotis Bernitsas
Leading partners: Marina Androulakakis
Next Generation Partners: Tania Patsalia
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Tania Patsalia
Projects and Privatisation
Recognised as 'very strong in finance and energy-related matters', Bernitsas Law is well positioned to advise on high-value M&A transactions, PPP projects, refinancing and project finance, with frequent involvement in cross-border mandates. Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas brings deep expertise in concession projects, while Nikos Papachristopoulos is noted for his work in M&A and capital markets. Dimitris Roussis regularly advises on privatisations and arbitration, while Yannis Seiradakis, described by clients as 'responsive, commercial and technically strong', is also active in these areas. Eleni Stazilova has recently worked on telecommunications and energy matters. Stella Papakosta supports the team on renewable energy, construction and infrastructure projects.
Hall of Fame: Dimitris Roussis
Leading partners: Yannis Seiradakis
Leading associates: Eleni Stazilova, Stella Papakosta
Other key lawyers: Eleni Stazilova, Stella Papakosta
Employment
With a strong focus on transactional work and M&A, Bernitsas Law is noted for its expertise in employment due diligence and praised for its 'deep legal expertise, industry insight, and client-first approach'. The team regularly advises on employment contracts, terminations, social security, tax, and whistleblowing matters. Practice head Maria Kloni, commended as 'proactive, responsive, efficient, and professional', has extensive experience in employment due diligence within M&A and regulatory contexts, often involving cross-border elements. The team also draws on the firm’s broader capabilities in banking, finance, corporate, and tax. Other key practitioners include Fotis Bregiannis.
Leading associates: Maria Kloni
Other key lawyers: Fotis Bregiannis
Insurance
Bernitsas Law advises Greek insurers, foreign intermediaries, and international insurance companies across M&A, regulatory, tax, and employment matters. The practice is co-led by Lambros Belessis, who brings expertise in private sector M&A, litigation and corporate restructurings, and Evi Kitsou, who focuses on M&A transactions and internal restructuring. Christos Paraskevopoulos is a seasoned litigator, regularly appearing before the Greek Supreme Court in insurance-related proceedings and handling complex cross-border disputes.
Leading partners: Evi Kitsou
Other key lawyers: Christos Paraskevopoulos
Intellectual Property
Often drawing on cross‑departmental expertise from the corporate and M&A teams, Bernitsas Law advises on licensing agreements, transactional matters, and patent applications and protection issues. Practice head Lambros Belessis, noted for his 'dedication, professionalism' and 'responsiveness', is an expert in the IP aspects of private sector M&A and corporate restructurings. Yannis Chryssospathis specialises in matters involving medical devices and pharmaceutical products, while Marialena Mavrikaki is active in IP-related M&A and trademark oppositions.
Leading associates: Marialena Mavrikaki
Other key lawyers: Yannis Chryssospathis, Marialena Mavrikaki
Real Estate and Construction
Regarded for its 'professionalism, integrity, and client focus', Bernitsas Law is well-positioned to advise on M&A transactions, financings, and lease agreements, with experience in the hospitality, healthcare, professional services, and retail sectors. The practice is jointly led by Panayotis Bernitsas, who handles acquisitions, leasing, and taxation matters, and Lambros Belessis, who advises on commercial agreements and corporate transactions across the automotive, hospitality, and real estate sectors. Christina Zakopoulou maintains expertise in real estate privatisation tenders and is engaged in M&A and land development mandates.
Hall of Fame: Panayotis Bernitsas
Leading associates: Christina Zakopoulou
Other key lawyers: Christina Zakopoulou
Restructuring and Insolvency
Leveraging expertise across banking, finance, capital markets, and M&A, Bernitsas Law advises lenders and borrowers in distressed situations, frequently handling NPL portfolio acquisitions, restructurings, and liquidations. Co‑head Lambros Belessis specialises in M&A and corporate restructurings of international companies. Co-leading the team alongside him, Athanasia Tsene brings banking and finance expertise, regularly advising on NPL transactions and rehabilitation agreements. Evi Kitsou is another key contact, noted for her work on group restructurings and liquidation matters.
Leading partners: Athanasia Tsene
Other key lawyers: Evi Kitsou
Tax
Often leveraging expertise from the corporate, M&A and capital markets teams, Bernitsas Law primarily advises on transactions, with a focus on capital markets, due diligence and tax regulation. Co‑leading the practice, managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is experienced in international tax structuring and concession projects. Fellow co-head Fotodotis Malamas handles international investment, VAT and indirect tax matters, and is commended for his 'professionalism and attention to detail', advising on both private and corporate wealth. Other notable individuals include Katerina Batsika.
Next Generation Partners: Fotodotis Malamas
Other key lawyers: Katerina Batsika
TMT
Bernitsas Law advises on M&A transactions and regulatory matters, while also bringing expertise in whistleblowing and data privacy. Noted for its 'diligence and professionalism', the team operates across the pharmaceutical, banking and finance, and aviation sectors. Tania Patsalia, recommended for her 'attention to detail and structured approach', frequently handles cross-border data transfers and matters related to Greek cybersecurity law, while Marina Androulakakis focuses on acquisitions. Both Patsalia and Androulakakis are well-versed in EU, competition and antitrust law. Lambros Belessis specialises in private sector M&A and corporate restructurings.
Leading partners: Marina Androulakakis
Next Generation Partners: Tania Patsalia
Other key lawyers: Marina Androulakakis, Lambros Belessis
White Collar Crime
Headed by Panayotis Bernitsas and Christos Paraskevopoulos, the white-collar practice at Bernitsas Law excels in financial fraud and anti-bribery disputes. Bernitsas is experienced in the EU and competition space, particularly in cartel cases before the Hellenic Competition Commission. Paraskevopoulos has expertise in investigations involving bribery, corruption and failure to comply with legislative and regulatory frameworks. Evangelos Mamalakis focuses on disputes arising out of commercial and financial contracts. Fotini Karra is another key contact.
Leading partners: Panayotis Bernitsas, Christos Paraskevopoulos
Leading associates: Evangelos Mamalakis
Other key lawyers: Evangelos Mamalakis, Fotini Karra
