Bernitsas Law is ranked in Band 1 across all practice areas by Chambers Global in their 2023 Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
Banking & Finance
Bernitsas Law offers exceptional expertise across the banking and finance spectrum. The law firm enjoys an excellent standing in capital market transactions, handling large bond and notes issuances and listings, as well as receivables securitisations and structured finance mandates. Additionally, its clientele benefits from in-depth expertise in NPL transactions including the sale and acquisition of portfolios and all regulatory issues. Lawyers at the firm frequently assist with the Greek aspects of pan-European finance deals, acting for a wide range of prestigious financial institutions and private companies.
"Their project team shows strong commitment and a high capacity to navigate through the complexities of the project."
"The firm is always on top of developments and is very knowledgeable."
"Bernitsas Law is hands-on and very responsive."
"Bernitsas Law demonstrates strong reliability and swift responsiveness throughout the cooperation."
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is appreciated for his depth of expertise and well-reputed standing in the Greek banking and finance world.
Nikos Papachristopoulos enjoys strong market recognition for his expertise in notes and bond issuances, as well as listings. He offers strong expertise acting for bookrunners, banking syndicates and corporates.
"Nikos Papachristopoulos is very reliable, responsive, sophisticated and hard-working."
Athanasia Tsene is widely appreciated for her comprehensive coverage of complex finance and capital market transactions, ranging from corporate credit facilities and non-performing receivables sales to structured finance deals and NPL transactions.
"Athanasia Tsene is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and smart, with strong business acumen."
Dionysis Flambouras covers a broad spectrum of finance work including real estate financings, securitisations of receivables and bond loans.
"Dionysis Flambouras is extremely committed and provides a strong level of support. He is a sophisticated individual."
"Dionysis Flambouras is passionate, has an immense level of expertise and a truly unique manner of explaining issues and particularities of the Greek market when a project contains international elements."
Dispute Resolution
Bernitsas Law maintains a top-tier ranking on account of its strong market recognition and consistent presence in high-profile cases. The law firm has proven capabilities in public law litigation, including cases linked to public tenders and the breach of public contracts. The team handles IP litigation, often defending companies in enforcement actions taken by the Greek data protection regulator or other domestic public bodies. It also assists with disputes arising in insolvency situations and additionally offers advice on employment law disputes and civil action claims. Bernitsas Law has a strong reputation for the capacity to handle complex commercial arbitration cases.
"The team has the ability and experience to help clients solve a broad range of issues, from routine questions to the most sensitive situations."
"The team has in-depth knowledge of issues that arise and always gives clear clarifications and answers."
Dimitris Roussis represents clients before the administrative courts in actions against the Hellenic Republic, including notable cases relating to contractual breaches, environmental decisions and results of public tenders. He is also active in arbitration.
"Dimitris Roussis impresses with his level of knowledge, his targeted and immediate response and the level of service he provides."
Christos Paraskevopoulos is a well-established litigator with significant experience in contentious intellectual property matters, civil claims, employment and shareholder disputes.
"Christos Paraskevopoulos is highly expert in litigation and can explain in a clear and concise manner complex legal and procedural matters."
Corporate / Commercial
Bernitsas Law boasts a broad corporate and commercial practice based in Athens, aided by its strong financing offering. The law firm comes highly reputed for its expertise in M&A transactions ranging from divestments and demergers to cross-border acquisitions. A further key strength of the firm lies in the handling of shareholder agreements and share acquisitions, as well as the participation in public tenders, making it a great choice for international clients. Additionally, the firm regularly assists with corporate restructurings, contract negotiations and due diligence issues. The firm's clientele includes investment funds and pharmaceutical companies, and lawyers in the team also act for public authorities, further underlining the firm's strong market position.
"The team has the ability and experience to help clients solve a broad range of issues, from routine questions to the most sensitive situations which can create serious risks."
"They have exceptional knowledge of the issues and give quick feedback."
Panayotis Bernitsas is held in high esteem for his longstanding expertise in corporate and commercial law matters across Greece.
Lambros Belessis is a skilled lawyer who advises prominent international investors and corporate clients on the Greek law aspects of multinational corporate deal
Evi Kitsou advises clients on complex corporate mandates include share sales, restructurings and mergers, where she often acts on cross-border cases.
Nikos Papachristopoulos is a leading corporate lawyer with an incredible breadth of expertise in shareholder agreements, demergers and acquisitions. He often acts for investment funds and is particularly experienced in cross-border work.
"Nikos Papachristopoulos is absolutely brilliant and is one of the foremost corporate lawyers in Greece."
International & Cross Border Capabilities
Bernitsas Law is a large Greek law firm providing a full-service offering to local and international clients across the full spectrum of legal areas. It is regularly a law 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 law 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 law 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.
"Bernitsas handled the cross-border aspects extremely well."
"The whole team is very professional and can solve difficult legal issues when needed."
