Bernitsas Law is ranked in the Top Bands by Chambers Global in their 2020 Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
Banking & Finance
Market-leading team assisting with cross-border finance transactions and foreign direct investment. Has experience in capital markets deals, including note and bond issuances and securitisations. Known for handling project finance mandates, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sector. Also advises international investment banks 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 is recognised as ‘a leading expert in finance and bond loan matters’ by clients, and is described by another source as ‘extremely knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with’. She has experience in NPL transactions, securitisations, restructurings and refinancing matters.
A client singles out Nikos Papachristopoulos as a ‘market leader’ in the capital markets field, and praises his ‘deep knowledge and intellectual capacity’. A second source appreciates that ‘he is very hands-on’ and ‘you always have 100% of his attention’. He has particular experience in acquisition finance mandates, with specific expertise in note issues and share-for-share exchange offers.
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas has significant experience in the banking and finance field, and specialises in project finance transactions. Clients remark that ‘he is extremely friendly and enjoys the trust of many financial institutions’.
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, stock exchange listings, squeeze-out procedures and business exit plans. Also assists international clients with global mergers and corporate restructurings. Has an extensive track record in privatisations and 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, IT, telecoms and consumer goods.
Evi Kitsou is praised by one client as ‘always helpful and to the point’. She assists with general commercial matters and corporate governance topics, as well as transactional mandates involving public and private M&A, joint ventures and restructurings.
Nikos Papachristopoulos is praised by one client for his ‘deep experience in Greek deals’ as well as his ‘ability to explain difficult Greek legal issues and situations clearly and concisely. He has the right commercial judgement, which is really important’. He acts for financial institutions, private equity funds and industrial companies on complex, multiparty and cross-border transactions.
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is a highly regarded practitioner in the corporate and commercial market. He is recognised for his impressive transactional experience and co-ordinating skills.
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 breach of public contracts. Defends companies in enforcement actions taken by the Greek data protection regulator or other domestic public bodies. Handles IP litigation on behalf of international pharmaceutical companies and assists with the Greek aspects of major global product liability actions. Has a strong reputation for capacity to handle complex commercial arbitration. Also advises on employment law disputes, including those that have important white-collar crime implications.
Christos Paraskevopoulos has considerable experience in civil litigation, including commercial disputes and employment law cases. Interviewees say that ‘his work is impeccable and he is always available whenever we need to talk to him’. ‘He is very client-oriented and understands our needs’, says another source.
Dimitris Roussis is adept at handling administrative and public law disputes, often on behalf of key clients in the telecommunications sector. One source praises Roussis's ability to ‘quickly understand business and technical matters’, while a second interviewee describes him as ‘very diligent and a pleasure to work with’.
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.
One client considers the team to be ‘one of the best in Greece’ and is impressed by its ‘24/7 availability’ and ‘high level of responsiveness’.
Another interviewee comments: ‘This law firm has a long-standing presence in the Greek market and a good reputation. Their contribution to the deal was significant and they were very effective’.
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