The Legal 500

Partner Peter Petrov heads the growing competition and anti-trust department at Borislav Boyanov & Co. The practice has a strong history of advising significant international clients in this area and, in 2008, represented both General Electric and ArcelorMittal in successful merger-control proceedings. The team also acted for Warburg Pincus in a Commission for the Protection of Competition investigation relating to its acquisition of CableTel, and advised Allied Irish Banks on the acquisition of Bulgarian-American Credit Bank. According to clients, the firm is ‘very capable of dealing with the complex requirements of we demanding Western customers’.

At Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov, the two-partner competition department is headed by Nikolai Gouginski, supported by Milan Pandev. The team represented CEZ before the Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) in a case pertaining to the abuse of its dominant position on the electricity-supply market, and also in relation to a case brought by TEZ Varna against energy-grid operator Natsionalna Electrichesk Kompania. The practice advised the Carlyle Group on merger control regulations regarding the acquisition of Moncler, demonstrating what one client referred to as the firm’s ‘ability to generate trust in the quality of its advice’. Other significant clients include Advent International and Cisco Systems.

In 2008, Penkov, Markov & Partners provided merger clearance advice to AIG Capital Partners, whom the firm had previously acted for in the acquisition of privatised telecoms company BTC. The firm also represented Carrefour on merger control issues after its emergence into the Bulgarian market. Other clients include insurance player AXA. Partner Ivan Markov and Svetlin Adrianov are both recommended.

In 2008, Andrey Delchev and Partners – Eurolex Bulgaria successfully represented pharmaceutical producer Gedeon Richter, Hungary before the Bulgarian CPC in a precedent-setting vertical market relations case, brought by a former distributor of the company’s products. The team also successfully acted for Bull SAS, France at two different hearings before the CPC relating to public procurement procedure financed under the EU PHARE programme.

Arsov Natchev Ganeva advised Publicis Groupe on post-acquisition regulatory issues during 2008. The practice also acted for Sagacarbon – a subsidiary of French state-owned bank Caisse des Depots – in the negotiation and conclusion of Bulgaria contracts for sale of carbon allowances under the EU emissions trade scheme. Clients appreciate the ‘smooth negotiating skills of the partners, who know how to mediate and advise to achieve the desired result’.

Borissov Law Office has a reputable practice, demonstrated by the fact that it was mandated by international firms Norton Rose LLP and Lang Michener Lawrence & Shaw to give merger-control advice in relation to the Bulgarian end of a global M&A transaction. The team also advised Credit Agricole on post-merger issues relating to its acquisition of Emporiki Bank Bulgaria.

CMS Cameron McKenna in cooperation with Petkova & Sirleshtov Law Office has a small competition practice. Senior associate and real estate lawyer Lyubomir Dabov and competition expert Pavel Hristov are the contacts. In 2008, the firm provided advice to a leading fuel retailer in Bulgaria.

Miroslav Ognyanov is the partner in charge of the competition and EU law practice at Dimitrov, Petrov & Co. In 2008, the practice successfully defended ISP and telecom company Spectrum Net in two proceedings before the CPC. The team also advised two pharmaceutical companies: Eli Lilly, Austria and AstraZeneca. Another highlight of the year was representing Russian Railways before the CPC in relation to its purchase of the rolling stock manufacturer ZAO Transmashholding Group. Clients praise the firm for being ‘a reliable friend in a difficult transition period in the Bulgarian regulatory environment’.

Georgiev, Todorov & Co advises Microsoft Corporation on Bulgarian legal matters and also advises the domestic subsidiary Microsoft Bulgaria, remaining unbeaten for both clients in cases brought before the Bulgarian CPC. Other clients in 2008 included TV Seven, whom the team represented in court competition proceedings relating to broadcasting licences in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna; and Balkancar Sredets, whom the firm represented before the CPC in relation to its acquisition of GTM Angel Balevski. EU specialist Bogdan Drenski heads the practice with competition expert Alexander Pachamanov.

In an example of the legal market supplying itself with work, Lex Locus Law Offices began representing Rizova & Partners Law Firm (part of DLA Piper) and Wolf Theiss in the competition case filed against them in 2008 by the major Bulgarian law firms.

In 2008, McGregor & Partners successfully represented Merck & Co (MSD) before the CPC and also acted for Unilever, defending against consumer competition claims.

Regional firm Dinova & Rusev Law Office has a good track record in post-merger competition advice across its SEE network. In Bulgaria, ‘young, dynamic and impressive’ associate Milen Rusev is the lead lawyer. The practice advises M&A clients on subsequent merger control issues and, in 2008, acted for Klockner & Co in relation to its acquisition of a share in Metalsnab Holding.

The European Commission’s Bulgarian office turns to Penev & Partners Law Offices for advice regarding the compatibility of EU and domestic law.

Popov & Partners remained busy in competition law, advising clients in the gambling sector in relation to regulation by the CPC, the Commission for Consumer Protection and the Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling. Emiliyan Arnaudov is recommended by clients for ‘quality of service, strength of advice and good business manner’.

The practice at Schönherr is headed by local partner Ilko Stoyanov and was given a considerable boost in 2008 by the arrival of associate Mariya Papazova, formerly of the Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC). The firm provides ‘high-quality, reliable, dependable’ post-acquisition merger control advice to its M&A clients and, in 2008, acted for significant European clients including Strabag, Raiffeisen, Generali, Uniqa and Advent. The firm also provided anti-trust advice to OMV in relation to a CPC investigation into alleged agreements between OMV Bulgaria, Metro Cash and Carry Bulgaria, and Billa Bulgaria.

In 2008, Yonev Valkov Nenov successfully represented outdoor advertiser Wall before the CPC.