Bernitsas Law is ranked in Band 1 across all practice areas by Chambers Global in their 2021 Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
Banking & Finance
Market-leading team assisting with cross-border finance transactions. Has experience in capital markets deals, including note and bond issuances and securitisations. Also advises on corporate lending to Greek companies and on the Greek aspects of pan-European finance deals. Boasts solid experience in syndicated loan transactions. Popular with both financial institutions and private companies for financial restructuring advice, as well as assisting with regulatory matters and issues pertaining to non-performing loan transactions.
Athanasia Tsene earns excellent praise for her ‘vast knowledge and experience’ in banking and finance matters. Her multifaceted practice encompasses ABS transactions, non-performing loan sales and structured finance deals. Sources find her to be ‘extremely reliable and responsive,’ with one client lauding her ‘great interpersonal skills.’
Nikos Papachristopoulos centres his highly acclaimed finance practice on capital markets topics, such as bond and note issuances as well as delisting matters. A market commentator highlights his ‘extremely collaborative’ approach and notes that ‘he knows the stock exchange rules inside out.’
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas maintains a strong reputation for his longstanding presence in the Greek market. He has experience in a plethora of banking and finance matters, with particular expertise in project finance topics.
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 on stock exchange listings. Also assists international clients with global mergers and corporate restructurings. Also active on advisory mandates, from commercial agreements to corporate governance. Clients hail from a range of sectors including insurance and consumer goods.Evi Kitsou assists clients with corporate restructuring matters, mergers and the acquisition of distressed assets. A source sees her as an ‘exceptional’ lawyer, adding that ‘she is a rising star in M&A.’
Market-leading practitioner Nikos Papachristopoulos is ‘very pragmatic, finds solutions and listens to the client,’ according to a source who further appreciates that he ‘is not afraid to share his opinion and gave the support we needed.’ He routinely handles complex M&A and private equity deals involving the infrastructure, energy and aquaculture industries.
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas has cultivated a strong reputation in the market and is known for his excellent client relationship skills. He has extensive experience in corporate and commercial matters.
Dispute Resolution
Maintains a top-tier ranking on account of its strong market recognition and consistent presence in high-profile cases. Has proven capabilities in public law litigation, including cases linked to public tenders and the breach of public contracts. Defends companies in enforcement actions taken by the Greek data protection regulator or other domestic public bodies. Handles IP litigation and assists with disputes arising in insolvency situations. Has a strong reputation for capacity to handle complex commercial arbitration. Also advises on employment law disputes.Christos Paraskevopoulos as a ‘really persuasive lawyer with a very practical approach.’ One interviewee reports that Paraskevopoulos is ‘always checking that the solution aligns with the client's needs.’ He has significant experience in intellectual property matters, employment claims and shareholder disputes.
Dimitris Roussis is noted for his presence in civil litigation and arbitration. He also represents clients before the administrative courts in actions against the Hellenic Republic, including notable cases relating to contractual breaches or environmental decisions.
International & Cross-Border Capabilities
Large Greek firm providing a full-service offering to local and international clients across the full spectrum of legal areas. It is regularly a firm of choice for clients requiring local law expertise on the Greek aspects of international matters, collaborating effectively with global firms on foreign direct investment. Teams adeptly handle cross-border financing matters, involving both private sponsors and institutional lenders, and the firm is a trusted adviser to clients on inbound M&A. Equally, its contentious groups are well versed in representing clients in cross-border cases, primarily serving as local counsel on multi-jurisdictional disputes. The firm also brings industry expertise in energy and infrastructure to bear in project financing transactions and displays proficiency advising on deals in the TMT and real estate spaces.
Clients highlight the team's ‘lawyers with special foreign expertise’ as a key asset.
Another source observes: ‘They are very commercially oriented, offer pragmatic solutions and think outside the box.’
