The Legal 500

Andonov & Radinska Law Firm’s ‘excellent’, ‘proactive and diligent’ two-partner team has ‘very good local knowledge’. It represented General Electric and Avestus Capital Partners in the €100m sale of the Mall of Sofia and the Sofia Tower office to Europa Capital Partners; and advised Cinema City International on the commissioning and launch of its €90m Mall Rousse project. Diliana Radinska is recommended.

Boyanov & Co’s ‘experienced, reliable, and highly regarded’ three-partner team is led by the ‘thorough, professional and responsive’ Nickolay Nickolov. In 2010, it acted for EFG Eurobank on the €200m financing of construction group Michaniki; and for Markan on its €130m acquisition of a plot of land for the construction of a mixed-use Novotel hotel building.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch’s real estate practice has ‘superior experience and knowledge’. In 2010, it advised Europa Capital on the €100m acquisition of the Mall of Sofia and the €20m acquisition of Plovdiv retail park, and represented Tishman International on a €250m property investment project near Sofia Airport. The team is now headed by senior associate Peter Takov, who joined from Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners (Landwell) in 2010. The ‘very responsive’ David Butts is also recommended.

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s client base includes international and domestic companies. Stephen Kyutchukov led a team that represented Moda Sport on its acquisition of a land plot in Sofia, and advised Bulgarian developer GTC on retail and leisure developments in Varna, Stara Zagora and Burgas. It also advised Corio on its development of a commercial complex.

At Kambourov & Partners, the ‘quality of service is always magnificent’, and the team’s ‘rapid response times add true value’. Highlights included advising IC Ictas Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret on the new international passenger terminal at Varna Airport, and advising The Black Sea Property Fund on four new developments along the Black Sea coast. The team is led by Atanas Shopov , who ‘shows passionate interest’ in clients’ projects.

Penkov, Markov & Partners routinely advises developers, banks and funds on residential, office and retail real estate matters. It is acting for Bulfeld on the Paradise Centre Mall development in Sofia, and advising Strabag on the possible sale of part of its real estate portfolio. Other clients include Carrefour and Credit Suisse. Ivan Markov and Milena Gaidarska are core members of the team.

Andrey Delchev and Partners – Eurolex Bulgaria provides a ‘very high level of service’, and demonstrates ‘knowledge of the sector and the ability to solve specific problems’. The practice is well known for its public sector expertise, and is advising the Road Infrastructure Agency on its contractor tender procedure for the construction of the €130m Maritsa highway and the €60m Struma highway. The group is also advising on the procurement process for the €75m construction of new terminals at Varna and Bourgas airports. Stoyan Barzakov leads the practice.

Dinova, Rusev & Partners provides ‘exceptional quality, attention to detail, dedication and response times’. The team recently advised Assos Capital on various acquisitions of commercial properties, and is advising on the redevelopment of the South Ring Mall in Sofia. Managing partner and practice head Anelia Dinova has ‘irreplaceable business acumen’. Todor Kakachev and Iliya Grozdanov are recommended for their ‘exceptional in-depth knowledge of real estate and construction regulation’.

Dobrev, Kinkin & Lyutskanov saw an increase in energy-driven work in 2011 to supplement its existing workflow of property acquisitions, sales and developments. The team has a strong contentious practice, and represented Kestrel Investment in an ownership dispute. Adriana Nacheva leads the team.

Penev LLP’s well-respected team acts for longstanding clients such as Lewis Charles Sofia Property Fund on matters ranging from acquisitions and developments to litigation. Managing partner Sergey Penev leads the team.

Schoenherr’s real estate practice is predominantly focused on the energy market, with the team advising clients such as Moncada and Verabund on the acquisition and development of wind farms. It also advises oil and gas giant OMV on site acquisitions, and advised Sparkassen Immobilien on financing for an office building in Sofia. Dimitar Vlaevsky is the key team member.

Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners (Landwell)’s real estate practice advises global and European heavyweights such as CEZ, and has seen an increase in gas and green energy instructions. Nikolay Bebov, Venelin Dimitrov and Blagomir Minov are busy members of the practice.

Wolf Theiss strengthened its resources and client base by adding a number of lawyers from now defunct Rizova & Partners Law Firm. The team provides an ‘exceptionally good’ level of service and has ‘precise knowledge of the market’. It is advising clients such as Bulgarian Real Estate Fund and Globe Trade Centre on various developments. Senior associate and practice head Antonia Mavrova is ‘pragmatic and commercially minded’, and Anna Rizova is ‘proactive and knowledgeable’.

Arsov Natchev Ganeva has a strong presence in real estate and construction, and advised Black Sea Investment Trust AD on the financing of its real estate development along the Black Sea Coast. The team also provides real estate support to clients including Lidl, Air Liquide International and Danone.

Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm advises United Bulgarian Bank on its real estate matters, and also handles renewable energy work for certain clients.

Borissov & Partners’ reliable real estate and construction practice is praised for its ‘first-class service’ and ‘excellent response times’. It is advising on construction of the Danube Bridge 2 between Bulgaria and Romania and, on the commercial side, advising Carnation Holidays on the acquisition of a Bulgarian winter resort. Clients appreciate the team’s ‘ability to adapt to big projects and work with international counsel’.

Boyko Guerginov’s team at CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati EOOD is advising Kaufland Bulgaria on various greenfield projects. Other clients include Cuubuus Real Immobilien.

Danailov, Mihaleva, Nedelchev & Co/Lex Locus’ managing partner Dimitar Danailov advised Glavbolgarstroy on building the 15,000-seat Armeec Arena in Sofia.

Delchev & Partners’ practice advised longstanding client Regum on the acquisition of a 6,000sq m plot around its Crystal Apartments, and advised Bulgaria Consult on restructuring a Black Sea real estate development. Bozhko Poryazov leads the team.

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co acts for investors and developers, including recently advising the Bulgarian subsidiary of an Italian construction company on a €100m railway project, and representing R&M Estates in a construction dispute. Alexander Todorov is the lead practitioner.

Georgiev, Todorov & Co is noted for its public sector and litigation expertise, which saw it act for the Ministry of Culture in a dispute with Sofia University regarding ownership of the coastal town of Balchik. It is also advised Municipality of Sofia on a large underground parking project. Senior associate Miglena Peneva leads the practice.

Gugushev & Partners Law Office advised Raiffeisen Evolution on a €10m development in Sofia, and represented the owner of Silver Mountain Resorts on a land acquisition in Razlog.

Ilieva, Voutcheva & Co Law Firm’s ‘excellent’ team has ‘outstanding knowledge’ of the real estate sector. In 2010, it advised Rex Consulting on restructuring real estate assets to avoid bankruptcy, and represented Alexander Tonchev in an ownership dispute. Anton Uzunov and Rossitsa Voutcheva are recommended for their ‘knowledge of the legal field and their problem-solving skills’.

In 2010, KLC Law Firm Branch Bulgaria advised GEK Group Terna on construction matters in Bulgaria. It also advised Slovenian construction group Energoplan on establishing a Bulgarian branch.

McGregor & Partners’ real estate practice primarily focuses on the renewable energy space, where it is representing FIDIC in construction contract disputes.

Popov & Partners’ ‘dynamic, young team of highly knowledgeable and business-friendly practitioners’ advised on agricultural zoning matters relating to the development of a €1.8m office building. It also recently represented Aiko Multi in a lease payment dispute. Sibina Eftenova is ‘extremely reliable, sophisticated and responsive’, and Galin Popov has ‘rich experience’.

Simeonov & Dermendjiev’s Ivaylo Dernedjiev advised on the €35m development of the Hilton Garden Inn near Sofia Airport, and Ana Velkova acted on a large-scale construction project comprising a hotel, conference centre and residential units.

Law Partnership Tascheva & Partner continues to advise Porsche Immobilien on the acquisition and construction of showrooms. It also advised Grawe Liegenschafen on the leasing a business centre to CIBANK. Svetoslav Dimitrov leads the team, which has ‘profound knowledge of local and European legislation’.

Varadinov & Co Attorneys-at-Law represents developers, investors and construction companies. It recently advised on the sale of the Kempinski Hotel.

Diana Ilieva is the key real estate partner at Bazlyankov Stanoev & Tashev.

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz in cooperation with Pavlov and Partners Law Firm has an impressive client list that includes Landmark Property Management, Bauhaus and Magnat Real Estate.

Georgieva, Petrov, Nenkov, Georgiev Law Firm advises on developments and property management.

Energy-related mandates are driving much of Law Firm Kolcheva, Smilenov, Koev and Partners’ real estate work. Gergana Ilieva heads the team, which advises clients such as Eolica Bulgaria on wind farm projects.

Peterka & Partners Ondrej Peterka’s Law Offices advised Gefco on the contracts and leasing of its Bulgarian office, and acted for Veolia Water on post-acquisition due diligence of Sofia Water. The team has a strong Czech client base.

Sabev & Partners Law Firm’s clients include financiers, developers and investors, advising them on a range of matters including sales, mortgages and leases.

Tocheva & Mandazhieva Law Office advised Tishman on its joint venture with GE Real Estate to develop the Sofia Airport Center. Name partners Zhulieta Mandazhieva and Tanya Tocheva are ‘very adept and very business oriented’.

Tokushev and Partners Law Office continues to advise its clients on day-to-day real estate matters. It has also developed a renewable energy practice and advises on the development and acquisitions of renewable projects.

Yonev Valkov Nenov advises both investors and developers on the full range of real estate transactions.