Bernitsas Law is ranked in Band 1 across all practice areas by Chambers Global in their 2024 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.
“The team has been very responsive and played an important role in the timely closing of the transactions.”
“They offer world-class advice and execution. They are highly efficient, methodical and intelligent.”
“Bernitsas has the exceptional ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters in a timely fashion.”
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is appreciated for his depth of expertise and well-reputed standing in the Greek banking and finance world.
“He is a very experienced lawyer.”
“Panayotis Bernitsas is one of the best managing partners in Greece.”
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.
“He is extremely diligent and focused, and always responsive to different business needs.”
“Nikos Papachristopoulos is an excellent lawyer with a vast knowledge of the debt capital markets sector.”
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.”
“She is excellent - she's knowledgeable and has extremely good client service.”
“Athanasia Tsene is a very good lawyer who is very technical and reliable.”
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.
“Bernitsas Law offers world-class advice and execution. Its team is highly efficient, methodical and intelligent, and its service levels and responsiveness are outstanding.”
“The team at Bernitsas Law has a strong grasp of Greek law and is able to provide robust advice. The firm is able to quickly assemble a team to deal with last-minute queries on a variety of different legal issues.”
“Bernitsas Law delivered on a very complicated and time-sensitive project, demonstrating responsiveness and diligence. The team was fully dedicated and available 24/7.”
“Bernitsas Law has a very close-knit team of great professionals who always listen to their clients' needs.”
“The lawyers at Bernitsas Law have deep knowledge and the ability to explain things simply. Their service level and responsiveness is one of the firm's core strengths.”
Panayotis Bernitsas is held in high esteem for his longstanding expertise in corporate and commercial law matters across Greece.
“Regardless of the fact that he is the managing partner, Panayotis is always available.”
“Panayotis Bernitsas is the best managing partner in Greece.”
Lambros Belessis is a skilled lawyer who advises prominent international investors and corporate clients on the Greek law aspects of multinational corporate deal
“Lambros is always available and fast, with a high competency in simplifying complicated issues.”
“Lambros is very business-oriented and his consulting is always pragmatic and to the point.”
“Lambros is very attentive to the real needs of his customers.”
“Lambros's advice is always provided in a pragmatic and operational way.”
Evi Kitsou advises clients on complex corporate mandates include share sales, restructurings and mergers, where she often acts on cross-border cases.
“Evi is always available and has a deep knowledge in all subjects.”
“Evi is an amazing professional and has excellent expertise in her areas of competence, which include commercial and corporate law.”
“Evi is a professional who is always very attentive and prepared.”
“She is quick and responsive.”
“Evi is a great lawyer to work with.”
“Evi offers quality analysis and great responsiveness.”
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 the best attorney for providing his top level of experience and know-how to his clients in the most effective way possible.”
“Nikos is one of the most respected and top-notch corporate lawyers in Greece.”
“He is the best corporate lawyer in Greece.”
“Nikos offers very strong levels of client service, sophistication and commercial awareness.”
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.
“Bernitsas offers technical and strategic expertise in advice and litigation.”
“They have the necessary legal knowledge and experience to come up with proper solutions, while maintaining a legal team with a variety of legal specialisms.”
“They offer deep understanding and conclusive legal advice on various fields of law.”
“Bernitsas Law possess an excellent ability to gather, sort, analyse and use lengthy and complex information.”
“They are responsive to the client, and able to capture complex business issues and apply that into legal practice.”
Christos Paraskevopoulos is a well-established litigator with significant experience in contentious intellectual property matters, civil claims, employment and shareholder disputes.
“He approaches every matter in a diligent and sophisticated manner.”
“Christos Paraskevopoulos is a strong professional expert in litigation and is client-oriented.”
“Christos is very easy to get along with and he is responsive.”
“It has been a very positive experience.”
“Christos is a strong litigator and true partner for the client.”
“Christos Paraskevopoulos is a fast responder with deep knowledge of the process.”
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 offers great support in public and administrative law matters.”
Evangelos Mamalakis advises corporations in disputes arising in all areas of corporate law, including agency, distribution, franchise, joint venture and commercial lease agreement disputes, medical liability as well as litigation arising from mergers and acquisitions.
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.
