Bernitsas Law is ranked in the Top Bands by Chambers Europe in their 2024 Guide to Europe’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.
“Panayotis Bernitsas is one of the best managing partners in Greece.”
“He is a very experienced lawyer.”
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 an excellent lawyer with a vast knowledge of the debt capital markets sector. He is extremely diligent and focused, and always responsive to different business needs.”
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 a very good lawyer who is very technical and reliable.”
“She is excellent - she's knowledgeable and has extremely good client service.”
Competition / European Law
Bernitsas Law is a well-recognised corporate firm with a respected competition law offering, acting for an impressive roster of clients. The team has a particular focus on merger control mandates, as well as regulatory issues connected to distribution networks. The department also has experience in investigations and dawn raids. The law firm additionally assists with the appeal of Hellenic Competition Commission decisions and follow-on damages claims relating to alleged collusion.
“It is a really practical team, that approaches the problems in a holistic manner.”
“The team has extensive commercial awareness.”
“Bernitsas Law provides detailed work. The team is business oriented and has a pragmatic approach.”
Marina Androulakakis rises in the rankings on the back of her work advising a diverse client list on transaction-related topics, as well as antitrust investigations and litigation before the Hellenic Competition Commission. She has further experience in state aid matters and appeals against HCC decisions.
“Marina Androulakakis is very experienced, with knowledge of the market and regulatory trends, and is always helpful.”
“She is a very meticulous practitioner.”
“Marina Androulakakis is responsive and eager to find the best and most practical solution to our issues.”
Associate-to-watch Tania Patsalia assists clients with EU, competition and antitrust law cases, advising on all aspects of antitrust, merger control and State aid rules.
“Tania Patsalia is very supportive and up to date on competition law matters.”
“She is one of the people who stand out.”
“Tania Patsalia is really practical and to the point and has a great commercial understanding of the market.”
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.
“Panayotis Bernitsas is the best managing partner in Greece.”
“Regardless of the fact that he is the managing partner, Panayotis is always available.”
Lambros Belessis is a skilled lawyer who advises prominent international investors and corporate clients on the Greek law aspects of multinational corporate deals.
“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.”
“Evi is a great lawyer to work with. She is quick and responsive.”
“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.”
“Nikos offers very strong levels of client service, sophistication and commercial awareness. He is the best corporate lawyer in Greece.”
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 Law possess an excellent ability to gather, sort, analyse and use lengthy and complex information.”
“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.”
“Bernitsas offers technical and strategic expertise in advice and litigation.”
“They are responsive to the client, and able to capture complex business issues and apply that into legal practice.”
“They offer deep understanding and conclusive legal advice on various fields of law.”
Christos Paraskevopoulos is a well-established litigator with significant experience in contentious intellectual property matters, civil claims, employment and shareholder disputes.
“Christos Paraskevopoulos is a strong professional expert in litigation and is client-oriented. He approaches every matter in a diligent and sophisticated manner.”
“It has been a very positive experience. Christos is very easy to get along with and he is responsive.”
“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.”
Employment
Bernitsas Law houses a respected employment team advising multinational and domestic clients on a wide range of labour issues. The well-established legal team is particularly knowledgeable in employment termination, regulatory compliance and collective labour contracts. The team also assists with transaction-related mandates and transfer of undertakings.
“They provide usable advice on all matters in a clear and straightforward manner.”
“They deal well with legal 'grey areas' by providing concrete recommendations and risk analysis.”
Energy
Bernitsas Law's energy team advises both domestic and international clients on energy matters, frequently working alongside international law firms on cross-border mandates. The law firm is knowledgeable in contractual and financing agreements pertaining to gas infrastructure projects. The team additionally assists with transactions and developments relating to a range of renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic energy. Its lawyers also advise on licensing topics.
“Bernitsas provides an excellent service, they are very knowledgeable in the infrastructure and energy sectors.”
“The team at Bernitsas has a high ability of communication and provides great responses.”
Yannis Seiradakis is an eminent lawyer who rises in the rankings due to his extensive experience acting on a wide range of transactions, including M&A, capital markets, privatisations and the associated regulatory matters.
“Yannis Seiradakis is a key individual in the firm. He is always available and provides workable and effective solutions.”
Tax
Bernitsas Law provides a full-service tax offering which works closely with the firm's M&A and dispute resolution teams. The law firm handles cross-border mandates, often assisting international clients with their operations in Greece, including transactions. It is also knowledgeable in corporate income tax, VAT matters and customs duties. It represents clients from a range of industries including automotive, financial services and tech, as well as high net worth individuals.'
“I could not be more satisfied with the services of Bernitsas. The attorneys are able to keep an exceptional degree of overview over the complex deals we are involved in.”
Fotodotis Malamas is well placed to handle the tax aspects of large transactions, and he has additional experience in handling income tax, customs and VAT issues, as well as inheritance tax law compliance topics.
“Fotodotis is an excellent collaborator for our company - reliable, hard-working, efficient and business-oriented.”
“We could not be any more satisfied. Fotodotis is extremely commercially aware and we consider his advice indispensable to our efforts in Greece.”
“He is an excellent lawyer providing applicable solutions.”
TMT
Bernitsas Law is a full-service corporate firm with a notable TMT offering. The group advises clients on compliance and regulatory matters, and is also seen handling transactional mandates. Its lawyers often assist foreign companies wishing to provide services in Greece. The team has significant experience in data protection and GDPR issues, often advising clients from the telecoms, technology and automotive sectors. It also advises on agreements in the television industry relating to advertising, sponsorship, and production.
“The team at Bernitsas reacts very quickly and the accuracy of the information it provides is clear.”
“Bernitsas Law demonstrates the ability to handle complex matters in a very efficient and seamless way.”
