The Legal 500

Boyanov & Co’s ‘knowledgeable’ group provides ‘a first-rate service’. It advised RBS on the restructuring of syndicated loan facilities to AIG and BTC in order to facilitate the sale of Vivacom to Corporate Commercial Bank and VTB. Other highlights included advising Fraport Twin Star Airport Management on obtaining a $28m financing from UniCredit Bulbank to renovate terminals at Varna and Burgas airports. It was also instructed by Greece-based groups, Fourlis and Danaos, on the construction of a shopping mall. Damian Simeonov is ‘excellent’, and Yordan Naydenov, Alexander Chatalbashev and Svetlina Kortenska are also recommended.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch’s ‘precise’ banking and finance team is recommended for its ‘fast response times’ and ‘ability to go the extra mile for its clients’. The team advises on a broad spectrum of matters, and recently acted on several notable financings. It also assists clients with loan restructurings. Managing partner Reneta Petkova heads the team, and is ‘extremely knowledgeable’.

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov has ‘hands-on experience’ and ‘in-depth industry knowledge’, and provides ‘first-class’ service. It is recommended for project finance, securitisation, acquisition finance and regulatory matters, and recently advised China Development Bank on the financing of a portfolio of power plant developments. It also acted for ProCredit Holding on the restructuring of a SME loan portfolio of Procredit Bank (Bulgaria). Other key clients include European Investment Bank and Deutsche Bank. The ‘highly rated’ Nikolai Gouginski and the ‘renowned’ Georgi Tzvetkov are recommended along with practice head Vessela Stancheva-Mincheva.

Spasov & Bratanov is ‘a real market leader’ in banking and finance. It advised OAO Gazprom on the development, financing, construction and operation of the South Stream gas pipeline project; VTB Capital on the €55m financing of a 40MW biomass fuel project; and BNP Paribas on a €70m secured term loan to Moto-Pfohe. Other clients include European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Barclays Bank and Société Générale. Vassil Hadjov and Georgi Spasov are recommended.

Andrey Delchev and Partners – Eurolex Bulgaria’s banking and finance team provides an ‘excellent level of service’. It recently advised Kazova on obtaining credit facilities from EXIM Bank to construct three power plants in Turkey, and acted for NIS Petrol regarding the €200m financing of the construction of up to 100 petrol stations in Bulgaria. It also advised Gazit-Globe on a €25m debt restructuring. Practice head Stoyan Barzakov is recommended.

Dinova, Rusev & Partners’ banking and finance team has an ‘excellent reputation’. It assisted IsBank with the establishment of a local bank, and advised Kaliakra Wind Power on the financing of renewable energy projects. Key clients include Marks and Spencer plc, Baltic International Bank and Sofia South Ring Mall. Newly promoted partner Diana Valkova is ‘fantastic’, and Anelia Dinova is also recommended.

Dobrev, Kinkin & Lyutskanov’s ‘top-notch’ practice advised a major international investment bank on a high-value credit agreement to finance a project on the Black Sea coast. It also acted for EFG BANK, Municipal Bank and PVB Group on various matters. Practice head Roumen Lyutskanov is ‘brilliant’.

Georgiev, Todorov & Co’s recent key instructions include advising International Asset Bank on bankruptcy cases and bank warranties. Other clients include DSK Bank and Piraeus Bank. Alexander Katzarsky is recommended.

Kambourov & Partners’ ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘responsive’ banking and finance team has ‘the ability to spot potential problems and resolve them in the most efficient manner’. It advised Bulgarian Energy Holding on the restructuring of the Bulgarian energy sector; and Tennenbaum Capital Partners on a multijurisdictional restructuring project. Other clients include Clever Synergies Investment Fund (CSIF) and ADM Capital. Yonko Hristov is highly recommended.

Penev LLP’s ‘responsive’ team is advising on the merger between Alpha Bank and EFG Eurobank in Bulgaria. It also successfully defended Lewis Charles Sofia Property Fund Bulgaria against a claim for a declaration of insolvency initiated by a major Bulgarian developer. Managing partner Sergey Penev is ‘excellent’.

Penkov, Markov & Partners advised TBI Financial Services on its acquisition of TBI Bank, and acted as Bulgarian counsel to Fortis Bnl during the restructuring of BNP Paribas banking group. Managing partner Vladimir Penkov is recommended.

Schoenherr (in cooperation with Law firm Andreev, Stoyanov and Tsekova)’s ‘strong’ banking and finance practice advised a group of bondholders on the restructuring of a defaulted Eurobond issued by the state-owned Holding BDZ EAD (Bulgarian Rail Road), and acted as lead counsel to Raiffeisen Bank International on the refinancing of existing debt relating to Lukerg’s acquisition of Bulgarian wind farms. It also advised on the refinancing of German pharmaceuticals group, Phoenix. Other clients include EBRD, JP Morgan and Société Générale. Tsvetan Krumov and practice head Anton Andreev are recommended.

Notable recent highlights for the ‘brilliant’ team at Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, Attorneys-at-Law include advising Vienna Insurance Group on financial aspects of the merger of its two Bulgarian non-life insurance subsidiaries, Bulstrad and Bulgarski Imoti. It is advising Austrian Bulgarian Investment Group on its incorporation and licensing as an investment firm. Other clients include Sogelife Bulgaria, Groupama Zhivotozastrahovane (Groupama Life Insurance Company) and Groupama Zastrahovane (Groupama Non-Life Insurance Company), Maria Urmanova and Nikolay Bebov are recommended.

Wolf Theiss’ ‘hardworking’ and ‘skilled’ team, which is led by Richard Clegg, advised LUKERG Renew, the joint venture between ERG Renew and Lukoil Ecoenergy, on its €52m financing and acquisition of two operational wind farms. It also advised Raiffeisen Bank Albania on a syndicated financing of the development of a mall in Skopje, Macedonia. Anna Rizova is ‘excellent’, and ‘proactive’ senior associate Katerina Kraeva is also recommended.

Andonov & Radinska Law Firm has ‘an excellent reputation’. Its clients include Eleven Accelerator Venture Fund and City Hospitals & Clinics Group, healthcare investment fund. The firm also continues to advise longstanding client Scania Finance Bulgaria. Diliana Radinska is ‘first-rate’.

Arsov Natchev Ganeva advises the National Guarantee Fund on the management of guarantee schemes to facilitate access to financing by SMEs. It is also acting for Jordan International Bank on matters relating to the construction of a waste-recycling plant. Vladimir Natchev and Stoil Hristov jointly head the practice.

Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm is recommended for its ‘timely responses’ and ‘professional approach’. It advises lender clients such as UBB and UniCredit Bulbank, and has also acted for clients such as Balkan Accession Fund and UniCredit Leasing.

Borissov & Partners’ ‘hardworking’ and ‘reputable’ team advised UK-based Travel Guard Worldwide on insurance and regulatory matters and acted for Crédit Agricole on matters following its indirect acquisition of Emporiki Bank Bulgaria. It also advised Allied World Assurance Company (Reinsurance) on reinsurance arrangements and regulatory matters.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz in cooperation with Pavlov and Partners Law Firm provides ‘an extraordinarily high level of service’ and shows ‘real commitment’ to clients. It advised Investkredit Bank on financing matters relating to the €45m construction of the Markovo Tepe Mall in Plovdiv. It also advised UniCredit Bank Austria and UniCredit Bulbank on restructuring work.

DTT (Dimitrov, Tchompalov & Todorova) is ‘vastly experienced’ in finance and banking matters, and ‘a real leader for capital markets work’. Dimitar Dimitrov, Iordan Tchompalov and Katya Todorova are the key figures.

Gugushev & Partners Law Office’s ‘highly recommended’ banking and finance practice advised Hareon Solar Technology on a security package relating to a loan provided by China Development Bank to refinance a photovoltaic project, and acted for WBL Continent Coöperatie on the restructuring of credit facility agreements for the acquisition and reconstruction of an office building in Sofia. Managing partner Stefan Gugushev is recommended.

Kalaidjiev and Georgiev’s managing partner Angel Kalaidjiev is highly regarded for banking and finance work.

Law Firm Kolcheva, Smilenov, Koev and Partners is recommended for its expertise in debt collection and enforcement matters as well as restructuring and insolvency cases. Petya Kolcheva, Dimiter Smilenov and Ivaylo Balkanski are recommended.

Popov & Partners continues to advise UniCredit Bulbank on debt collection matters. Other clients include Credissimo, DSK Bank and UniCredit Consumer Financing. Galin Popov, Emiliyan Arnaudov, Elisaveta Yotova and Eleonora Sergieva are recommended.

Sabev & Partners Law Firm advised a leading pharmaceuticals company on the release of security relating to international financing. It also advised several Bulgarian real estate and construction companies on debt restructuring. George Sabev and Boryana Boteva are recommended.

Tocheva & Mandazhieva Law Office’s ‘focused’ team recently advised on the incorporation and licensing of a payment institution in Bulgaria; and on the capital increase and restructuring of a Tishman International SPV in Bulgaria. Zhulieta Mandazhieva is recommended.

Law Office Amudzhiev and Yalnuzov (LGK & Co Law Office) is notable for its expertise in ship financing. Zhelimir Yalnuzov is recommended.

Antoaneta Dimolarova, Rozalina Gradinarova and Partners – Attorneys at Law is experienced in advising on matters such as licensing procedures, bank guarantees and mortgage bonds.

Boteva & Kantutis advised SEAF SME Debt Facility and Overseas Private Investment Corporation on a $3m debt facility, and is also notable for project financing as well as its expertise in money-laundering issues. Nina Boteva is recommended.

CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati advised Alfa Finance Holding on the restructuring a facility agreement; and Windkraft Simonsfeld on the restructuring and financing of renewable energy projects. Nikolina Dzhalazova and practice head Boyko Guerginov are recommended.

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co represented leading Bulgarian wholesale pharmaceuticals distributor Higia on €30m-plus claims ensuing from a loan facility contract. George Dimitrov is recommended.

McGregor & Partners mainly advises its corporate clients on financial matters. Julian Spassov is the key contact in Sofia.

Peterka & Partners Law Firm’s team is valued for its ‘excellent response times’. The team advised Plaan & Premier Power on the financing of a new solar energy park in Bulgaria. Other clients include Raiffeisenbank and Plaan Czech. Martin Vacek and Plamen Peev are recommended.

Simeonov & Dermendjiev is recommended for its banking and finance expertise, particularly on the contentious side. It represented the Privatization and Post-Privatization Control Agency in an ICC arbitration against the National Bank of Greece.

Tokushev and Partners Law office continues to advise Hypo Alpe Adria Leasing on its leasing portfolio, while new clients include Piraeus Bank, Bulgaria. Ivaylo Kostov is recommended.