Bernitsas Law is ranked in Band 1 across all practice areas by Chambers Global in their 2025 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 note 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 is very knowledgeable. It is a business enabler, stepping into a transaction with the mindset of finding a solution."
"The team's service and responsiveness is always exceptional."
"The team at Bernitsas handle difficult and complex issues in a subtle and effective manner."
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas continues to garner extensive praise for the depth of his expertise and for his standing in the Greek banking and finance world.
Market-leading partner 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 delivers high-quality work in a timely manner, demonstrates a strong level of leadership, and can handle shifting priorities and change focus quickly."
"Athanasia clearly articulates her thought processes in difficult situations and displays exceptional commitment to ethical standards, ensuring transparency and integrity in all actions."
"She has a proven track record and excellent knowledge on various legal aspects."
"Athanasia is the most efficient lawyer I've ever worked with. She is smart, knowledgeable and quick to respond."
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 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 team'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 firm is a leader in the Greek market, offering business understanding and a creative and problem-solving approach."
"Bernitsas is extremely helpful and highly engaged. It's a sophisticated team that covers various areas including banking, corporate and foreign law such as Cypriot law."
"The team is very responsive and can cut through complex issues to provide concise insights and practical advice."
"Bernitsas Law is one of the top law firms in Greece."
Panayotis Bernitsas is the managing partner of Bernitsas Law and 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 deals.
Evi Kitsou advises clients on complex corporate mandates include share sales, restructurings and mergers, where she often acts on cross-border matters.
"Evi is impressive in her client service and collaborative working style."
"I enjoy working with her and discussing difficult matters."
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 is skilled at managing difficult matters and is a high-quality lawyer."
"He is the most respected lawyer in the market and has proven to be very diligent."
"Nikos brings seniority to the table."
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 employment law disputes and civil action claims. Bernitsas Law has a strong reputation for the capacity to handle complex commercial arbitration.
"The firm offers fully substantiated advice with minimal response time."
"The firm possesses very high-qualified partners and associates at all levels."
"Bernitsas Law does a spectacular work and goes through a lot of details in a short period of time. The firm gives an outstanding performance in hearings and provides excellent and to-the-point memos."
"The team at Bernitsas is very responsive and customer friendly."
Christos Paraskevopoulos is a well-established litigator with significant experience in contentious intellectual property matters, civil claims, employment and shareholder disputes.
"Christos is a great litigator."
"Christos is very responsive, knowledgeable and personable."
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.
"He has a high scientific knowledge."
"Dimitris is very committed to the task, hardworking, resilient and responsive."
"Dimitris is an experienced, customer-centric professional with considerable expertise."
Evangelos Mamalakis assists clients with product liability cases and litigation relating to terminated distribution agreements.
"Evangelos is an efficient and strong litigator."
"Evangelos is very available."
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 Law are very detailed, have great knowledge of international issues and have a good network."
"The team is able to handle complex and multi-jurisdictional matters. They have in-depth knowledge of legal issues."
"They are leaders in Greece and are a very hardworking and sophisticated team covering may areas, including banking, corporate and foreign law."
