Bernitsas Law is ranked in the Top Bands by Chambers Europe in their 2020 Guide to Europe’s Leading Lawyers for Business. ‘one of the best in Greece’ ‘their contribution to the deal was significant and they were very effective’ ‘24/7 availability and high level of responsiveness’ ‘consistent quality’ ‘the lawyers are very highly skilled, and are able to analyse any situation and apply their knowledge to help clients’
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.
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.’
An interviewee describes the lawyers as ‘commercial and solutions-driven.’
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 market commentator notes that star associate Dionysis Flambouras is ‘a new generation lawyer who stands out’ for his knowledge in the banking sector. He assists financial institutions and corporate organisations with securitisations, project finance and refinance 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.’
Competition / European Law
Well-recognised corporate firm with a respected competition law offering, acting for an impressive roster of clients. Has a particular focus on merger control mandates, as well as regulatory issues connected to distribution networks and price fixing. Also has experience in investigations and dawn raids. Additionally assists with the appeal of fines and decisions from the authorities relating to alleged collusion and anti-competitive conduct.
One client highlights the team's ‘consistent qualityʼ while another describes the lawyers as ʻvery thorough.ʼ Augustine Almyroudi assists clients with investigations and proceedings before the Hellenic Competition Commission following dawn raids. Her expertise also extends to appeal cases, and she additionally advises on general compliance topics. New to the rankings, Marina Androulakakis heads the department and has notable expertise in merger control, investigations and appeal proceedings. She is also experienced in compliance topics relating to distribution agreements. One client enthuses: ‘She inspires trust because she has a deep knowledge of the matters and the ability to foresee risks.ʼ Panayotis Bernitsas is revered for his long-standing experience in competition matters. He is knowledgeable in merger control procedures, appeals and compliance topics pertaining to distribution networks.
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.
One interviewee enthuses that ‘this law firm has a long-standing presence in the Greek market and a good reputationʼ adding that ‘their contribution to the deal was significant and they were very effective.ʼ
Evi Kitsou is praised by one client as ‘always helpful and to the point.ʼ 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 dealsʼ 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.ʼ 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.
Clients are extremely satisfied ‘with the team's "customer-centricʼ approach and ‘value-for-moneyʼ service. ‘It is a large team with a lot of resources available and a big name in Greece,ʼ states one source.
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.ʼ ‘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,ʼ while a second interviewee describes him as ‘very diligent and a pleasure to work with.ʼ
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 restructurings, voluntary exits and redundancies. Experienced in mandates involving industrial relations and collective labour contracts. Also assists with transaction-related mandates and transfer of undertakings.
One source describes the team as ‘very reliable for meeting deadlines,ʼ and highlights its ‘experienced and pragmatic approach.ʼ
Clients appreciate that the lawyers ‘respond quickly and are accurate.ʼ
One client points out that Katia Papantonopoulou has ‘tremendous experience in labour law issues,ʼ adding that she is ‘very business-oriented and straightforward.ʼ She assists with a variety of employment mandates pertaining to transactions and terminations, with sources noting her knowledge in union-related matters.
Energy
Full-service group advising both international and domestic clients on energy matters. Particular knowledge in contractual and financing agreements pertaining to gas infrastructure projects. Additionally assists with transactions and developments relating to a range of renewable energy sources, including hydropower, wind, photovoltaic and steam-electric power stations. Also advises on licensing topics relating to power trading activities. Often works alongside international law firms on cross-border mandates.
Real Estate
Experienced department assisting with the acquisition and divestment of properties and portfolios, often involving residential and hospitality assets. Knowledgeable in both public and private tendering processes. Additionally active in finance and refinance mandates relating to transactions and development projects, acting for lenders or borrowers. Clientele includes banks, developers and state entities. Also assists retailers with lease agreements.
Clients appreciate that the team ‘provides excellent services in a complex regulatory environment.ʼ
Nikos Vouhiounis assists with the acquisition and disposal of properties and portfolios, often involving hospitality and tourism assets. He also handles lease agreements. Sources describe him as ‘knowledgeable and co-operative.ʼ
Tax
Full-service tax offering that works closely with the firm's M&A and dispute resolution teams. Handles cross-border mandates, often assisting international clients with their operations in Greece, including transactions and joint ventures. Also knowledgeable in transfer pricing issues, corporate income tax, VAT matters and customs duties.
One client highlights the team for its ‘immediate advice and quality of work.ʼ
Fotodotis Malamas is highly esteemed for his knowledge in corporate tax matters, and particularly noted for his activity in customs duties. He also handles income tax, transfer pricing and VAT mandates. Clients say: ‘He is an expert in tax issues and always keen to provide the best solution.ʼ
TMT
Full-service corporate firm with a notable TMT offering. Advises telecoms clients on compliance matters, transactional mandates and contentious proceedings before regulatory bodies and administrative courts. Often assists foreign companies wishing to provide services in Greece. Significant experience in data protection and GDPR issues, often advising IT, technology and e-commerce companies. Also advises on agreements in the television industry relating to advertising, sponsorship, production and distribution matters.
‘We always get very comprehensive answers almost instantly,ʼ one source enthuses. This interviewee goes on to add: ‘The lawyers are very highly skilled, and are able to analyse any situation and apply their knowledge to help clients.ʼ
