Bernitsas Law is ranked in the Top Tier in the Legal 500 EMEA 2025 Guide.
'What truly sets this firm apart is the calibre of its people—seasoned attorneys who have a proven track record in delivering outstanding results across complex legal challenges.'
'The most important thing of our collaboration throughout all these years is that Bernitsas Law firm always delivers the job! Bernitsas' lawyers are business partners that we can absolutely trust with no second thoughts. I would totally recommend Bernitsas Law firm to those who are want their job to be done quickly and in excellent quality!'
'People are very focused on their area of expertise. They understand the business and provide practical solutions, avoiding legalities.'
'The Bernitsas team has specialised expertise focused on the customers’ needs. Its professionals are highly experienced and deeply knowledgeable in their respective fields. The team has a collaborative culture and adapts well to dynamic market conditions. They ensure high customer satisfaction by providing tailored solutions that meet unique customer requirements. They are highly efficient and results-oriented. It is a highly recommended law firm even for the most complex cases.'
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
Leveraging an 'in-depth knowledge of the banking industry', Bernitsas Law has a 'proven track record in delivering outstanding results' for international funds, as well as credit and financial institutions across a wide range of cross-border transactional and regulatory work. The eclectic nature of work handled by the team is exemplified by that of the 'hardworking, responsive and reliable' Athanasia Tsene who provides 'fast and accurate advice' on debt capital markets and complex structured finance mandates, as well as project and acquisition finance matters. Maria Nefeli Bernitsa, who was recently promoted to partner, is also a key member of the team and combines capital markets expertise (including on new money issuances and liability management exercises) with a deep knowledge of the Greek regulatory financial framework, enhanced by her strong connections with the regulators. The vastly experienced Nikos Papachristopoulos co-heads the team alongside Tsene and Bernitsa and is recognised as a 'legal powerhouse for every kind of capital markets transaction imaginable'.
Hall of Fame: Nikos Papachristopoulos, Athanasia Tsene
Next Generation Partners: Maria Nefeli Bernitsa
Practice head(s): Maria Nefeli Bernitsa, Nikos Papachristopoulos, Athanasia Tsene
Other Key lawyers: Sildia Fotopoulou
Commercial, Corporate and M&A
The M&A specialists at Bernitsas Law cover the renewable energy, construction and insurance sectors. The team is praised for its ‘excellent quality’ by its domestic and international clients. The firm’s corporate offering is broad, covering cross-border joint ventures, spin-off transactions and regulatory compliance measures, among other areas. The 'very experienced' Nikos Papachristopoulos jointly leads the department and is an expert in capital markets and corporate reorganisations, and fellow co-head Lambros Belessis primarily concentrates on private sector mergers. Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is knowledgeable in competition law issues; Maria Nefeli Bernitsa is hailed as a 'rising star'; Evi Kitsou focuses on commercial transactions; and Yannis Seiradakis concentrates on privatisations. Iris Sotiriou is also a key contact.
Hall of Fame: Nikos Papachristopoulos, Panayotis Bernitsas
Leading partners: Evi Kitsou, Lambros Belessis
Leading associates: Iris Sotiriou
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Maria Nefeli Bernitsa, Evi Kitsou, Yannis Seiradakis, Linda Vasaka, Eleni Stazilova, Iris Sotiriou
Dispute Resolution
With vast expertise in litigation related to competition, corporate crime and fraud, Bernitsas Law delivers a 'high level of service' to major international energy and pharmaceutical corporations, among others. The practice has extensive experience before the Athens Court of Appeals and First Instance Administrative Court, with Athens-based co-head Panayotis Bernitsas being an expert in EU and antitrust law matters. The other co-heads, Christos Paraskevopoulos and Dimitris Roussis, specialise in contractual, administrative and civil litigation, while Evangelos Mamalakis covers all areas of corporate law and commercial lease agreement claims. Fotini Karra is knowledgeable in arbitration proceedings and Pelina Leontiadou is also cited as a key contact.
Leading partners: Christos Paraskevopoulos, Dimitris Roussis
Leading associates: Pelina Leontiadou, Evangelos Mamalakis
Other key lawyers: Evangelos Mamalakis, Fotini Karra, Pelina Leontiadou, Mara Lissari, Anna Meletiou
Energy
Characterised by its 'high level of professionalism', Bernitsas Law regularly assists with the development and operation of high-value solar and wind renewable initiatives. On the corporate side, the practice is well versed in overseeing acquisitions of international and domestic energy companies, alongside managing joint venture formations. Based out of Athens, team leader Yannis Seiradakis displays 'detail and sophistication' when handling complex privatisations, project financings and infrastructure projects. Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas has vast expertise across the whole spectrum of renewable and conventional energy issues. The highly regarded Eleni Stazilova frequently negotiates commercial and finance agreements.
Leading partners: Yannis Seiradakis
Leading associates : Eleni Stazilova
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Eleni Stazilova
EU and Competition
The 'extremely business-oriented' department at Bernitsas Law has vast experience in representing domestic and international clients before the Hellenic Competition Commission. The practice is especially well versed in handling cross-border merger clearances, alongside advising on competition law compliance strategies and antitrust matters. Based out of Athens, Panayotis Bernitsas has expertise in managing civil and administrative actions before the high courts and arbitration boards. Team leader Marina Androulakakis is highly knowledgeable in state aid issues and complex regulatory compliance measures, while Tania Patsalia focuses on the application of EU law in Greece and merger control cases.
Leading partners: Panayotis Bernitsas, Marina Androulakakis
Next Generation Partner: Tania Patsalia
Other key lawyers: Panayotis Bernitsas, Tania Patsalia
Projects and Privatisation
Demonstrating in-depth knowledge in advising on EPC contracts and complex project financings, the 'highly experienced' and 'deeply knowledgeable' Bernitsas Law regularly represent tech corporations and national funds. The firm has strong cross-border capabilities - primarily with European jurisdictions - while specialising in the investment, banking, and infrastructure fields. Based out of Athens, managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas has extensive experience in major renewable and conventional energy initiatives, Nikos Papachristopoulos is a leading practitioner in the capital markets and M&A sphere, while Yannis Seiradakis primarily focuses on privatisations and infrastructure matters. Dimitris Roussis is knowledgeable in PPP projects, and Eleni Stazilova concentrates on commercial agreements.
Hall of Fame: Dimitris Roussis
Leading partners: Yannis Seiradakis
Leading associates: Eleni Stazilova, Stella Papakosta
Other key lawyers:Eleni Stazilova, Stella Papakosta, Mara Lissari
Employment
Leveraging the cross-departmental expertise of the data privacy, tax and corporate teams, Bernitsas Law adopts a 'professional approach' based on 'collaboration' to assist clients with whistleblowing policies and employment contract issues. The practice regularly handles employment-related due diligence aspects of M&A transactions and restructuring procedures. Operating out of Athens, Maria Kloni leads the team, primarily focusing on voluntary exit schemes and redundancy issues since her promotion to counsel in March 2024. Niki Nisotaki is knowledgeable in regulatory compliance matters.
Leading associates: Maria Kloni
Other key lawyers: Niki Nisotaki
Intellectual Property
Routinely acting in relation to the sale, purchase, and transfer of IP asset portfolios, alongside handling patent infringement claims in the pharma sphere, Bernitsas Law is praised for its 'professionalism' and 'team spirit'. The firm shows considerable cross-sector expertise, spanning from gaming and automobiles to software. In Athens, team lead Lambros Belessis is well versed in complex corporate restructurings and commercial agreements, while Yannis Chryssospathis focuses on the medical devices and beverages industries. The outfit further specialises in advertising and broadcasting affairs.
Practice head(s): Lambros Belessis
Other key lawyers: Yannis Chryssospathis
Real Estate and Construction
Counting financial institutions, investors, and developers amongst its key clients, Bernitsas Law is particularly strong in advising on complex real estate transactions, ownership issues, developments and financings. The firm is well versed in assisting with ESG compliance measures and property investment issues, with the Athens-based duo of Panayotis Bernitsas and Lambros Belessis leading the practice through their knowledge of concession projects and privatisations. Belessis is knowledgeable in the hospitality and industrial fields, and Christina Zakopoulou primarily focuses on construction contracts and leisure developments.
Hall of Fame: Panayotis Bernitsas
Leading associate: Christina Zakopoulou
Restructuring and Insolvency
Primarily drawing from the firm’s banking and M&A offerings, the transactional-focused multi-disciplinary team at Bernitsas Law provides 'excellent and customer-oriented advice' to creditors, debtors and investors across a myriad balance sheet restructurings and distressed M&A, in particular. Athanasia Tsene provides 'accurate, succinct and business-oriented advice', including to stakeholders (on the buy/servicer and sell side) in relation to the secondary market for NPLs. Lambros Belessis co-heads the team alongside Tsene.
Hall of Fame: Athanasia Tsene
Other key lawyers: Nikos Papachristopoulos, Evi Kitsou, Yannis Seiradakis, Linda Vasaka
Tax
With the 'exceptional' Fotodotis Malamas and Panayotis Bernitsas at the helm, Bernitsas Law has vast expertise in handling tax aspects associated with cross-border M&A transactions, alongside assisting with VAT assessments. Since being promoted to partner in March 2024, Malamas specialises in advising businesses on tax-efficient structures and indirect taxation matters, while Bernitsas is highly knowledgeable on VAT refund claims and arbitrations. The team is particularly active in the financial services, energy, and beverage sectors.
Next Generation Partners: Fotodotis Malamas
Practice head(s): Panayotis Bernitsas, Fotodotis Malamas
TMT
Leveraging its 'expertise and specialisation', Bernitsas Law demonstrates extensive cross-border capabilities, overseeing M&A transactions, spin-offs, and data protection matters. The practice is especially active in the pharma, telecoms, and construction sectors, with Athen-based team head Tania Patsalia being an expert in all elements of EU and Greek data privacy rules. Marina Androulakakis advises national and international clients on antitrust, merger control, and state aid issues, while Lambros Belessis is knowledgeable of the car manufacturing, private insurance, and software industries.
Leading partners: Marina Androulakakis
Next Generation partner: Tania Patsalia
Other key lawyers: Marina Androulakakis, Lambros Belessis
White Collar Crime
Frequently acting on behalf of credit institutions and multinationals in investigations and criminal proceedings concerning corruption, bribery, and negligence matters, Bernitsas Law is hailed as being 'very professional' and 'high quality'. The firm has notable experience in handling Deferred Prosecution Agreements and AML compliance measures, with co-heads Panayotis Bernitsas and Christos Paraskevopoulos each specialising in all types of competition and antitrust law issues, alongside corporate misconduct and defamation claims. Evangelos Mamalakis has expertise in directors’ liability matters, whilst Fotini Karra is also highlighted as key.
Leading partners: Christos Paraskevopoulos
Leading associates: Evangelos Mamalakis
Other key lawyers: Evangelos Mamalakis, Fotini Karra
Insurance
Routinely assisting major insurance companies and financial institutions with M&A transactions, insurance misrepresentation claims and regulatory compliance measures, Bernitsas Law demonstrates strong cross-border expertise. Athens-based team leader Lambros Belessis is an expert in private sector mergers, joint venture partnerships and corporate restructurings, while Evi Kitsou is highly knowledgeable in commercial transactions and regulatory compliance. Christos Paraskevopoulos specialises in white-collar crime disputes.
Practice head(s): Lambros Belessis
Other key lawyers: Evi Kitsou, Christos Paraskevopoulos
