The Legal 500

Boyanov & Co has a strong TMT practice that is noted for its ability to advise on big-ticket deals. It recently advised RBS on its €1.4bn loan to AIG for the acquisition of a majority stake in Bulgarian Telecommunications Company. Other highlights included advising EQT V on its ongoing reorganisation following its acquisition of Eurocom and CableTel. Damian Simeonov leads the practice.

The experienced team at Dimitrov, Petrov & Co contributed to the World Bank’s international initiative analysing business regulation in 2011, and also produced a study for the European Commission on counterfeiting and privacy. Team head George Dimitrov is highly recommended.

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s TMT practice provides an ‘exceptional’ level of service. The group represents some of the world’s leading hi-tech brands, and advises on the full spectrum of IP and IT regulatory matters. It advised PCCW on its proposed €1.6m acquisition of a majority stake in Vivacom. Other clients include Vmware International, Nokia and Petrotechnical. Practice head Violetta Kunze and associate Milka Ivanova have ‘broad industry knowledge’ and ‘great analytical and tactical skills’.

Georgiev, Todorov & Co represented its longstanding client Bulgarian Telecommunications Company in a number of disputes with the government, and defended it in a case of alleged abuse of dominant position before the CPC. Alexander Pachamanov leads the practice.

Kambourov & Partners has ‘immense and unique experience in media law’, and is ‘superb in every aspect’. This ‘exceptionally hardworking’ and ‘very knowledgeable’ group has IT and IP expertise, which dovetails neatly with the firm’s litigation prowess. It represented the Bulgarian Post-Privatisation Control Agency in its €29m arbitration against companies that privatised Bulgarian Telecommunications Company. It also provides transactional support to Global Films, Global Vision and bTV Media. Mitko Karushkov heads the team, which includes ‘precise, meticulous and efficient’ senior associate Margarita Guigova.

Penev LLP’s strong ties with the Bulgarian authorities give the team an extra edge on regulatory matters. It provides ongoing IP protection advice to The Walt Disney Company, and represented it in a domain name dispute. Other highlights included advising AT&T on its commercial contracts and Sonema on its possible entry into the Bulgarian TMT market. Other clients include Avaya, T-Mobile and Warburg Pincus. The well-respected Sergey Penev leads the team.

Penkov, Markov & Partners has strong IP, IT and telecoms expertise, and a leading reputation in e-commerce. The practice recently acted for SAP Labs Bulgaria on its acquisition of TechniData Labs. Other clients include the Bulgarian Association for Electronic Commerce and the Association of the Independent Internet Providers. Svetoslav Dimitrov is recommended.

The TMT team at Andrey Delchev and Partners – Eurolex Bulgaria has ‘proven practical experience and acknowledged professionalism and creativity’. It has a strong radio broadcasting client base that includes BG Radio, Radio One and the Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters. Also, it successfully represented Media Group Bulgaria Holding before the CPC. Practice head Severina Liubenova is ‘one of the best experts in media and telecommunications law in Bulgaria’, and managing partner Andrey Delchev has ‘indisputable knowledge and experience’.

Borissov & Partners continues to enjoy a stream of work through its strategic alliance with IP Consulting. On the media side, it provides regulatory advice to a host of well-known names, including Shazam Entertainment and Playboy, and advises clients such as Bella Bulgaria and Megachim on trade mark registration and protection.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch provides corporate advice to its leading TMT clients. Recent work includes advising Selex Galileo on a regulatory and commercial matter, and assisting Balkantel with its projects for the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Transport. Team head David Butts is highly respected.

Dinova, Rusev & Partners’ team, headed by Milen Rusev, predominantly advises telecoms clients, but recently expanded its expertise to encompass IP work more broadly. It advises Sony Ericsson on its day-to-day activities.

Schoenherr’s team provides corporate and M&A advice to leading TMT sector clients. Recent highlights include advising TimeWarner on its €241m acquisition of Central European Media Enterprises, and on television and radio broadcast licensing. It also advises Microsoft on various internet/VoIP matters. Ilko Stoyanov leads the team.

Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners (Landwell) is recommended for its corporate work for TMT clients. It advised Telerik on several share acquisitions, and provides ongoing corporate support to clients including DHL, Milestone systems and C3i. Galina Bunkova’s ‘comprehension of the issues at hand, the thoroughness of her work, her expert legal knowledge and overall level of involvement are all excellent’.

Wolf Theiss’ team, led by Richard Clegg, recently advised Cable Partners on the sale of the remainder of its shares in CableTel to EQT, and on a subsequent joint venture with a Serbian company. It also advised Siemens Enterprise Communications on its management buyout, and Aegis Media on a joint venture investment agreement with a Bulgarian entity. Anna Rizova is also recommended.

Andonov & Radinska Law Firm provides ‘a great service’, and advises on matters such as the protection of trade marks and TMT-related corporate matters. It was recently instructed by City Hospitals and Clinics to protect its IP portfolio. ZyXEL is a new client.

Arsov Natchev Ganeva advised Radio France on the sale of its Bulgarian subsidiary in 2010, and provides ongoing IP advice to Danone.

Danailov, Mihaleva, Nedelchev & Co/Lex Locus is advising Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile on telecommunications tender procedures, and has been retained by Amotera Pictures to provide advice on its day-to-day activities.

Dobrev, Kinkin & Lyutskanov’s practice primarily focuses on intellectual property, providing IP protection and enforcement advice to clients such as Bulgarconserv, Sprinter and Unix Solutions. Grozdan Dobrev heads the team.

Popov & Partners is a ‘specialised team of professionals in the field of telecommunications’. It acted for Office One franchisee Panda Cooperative on the implementation of a mobile phone recycling facility. Other clients include SofiyskaVoda and Koel Net. Emilliyan Arnaudov and Elisaveta Yotova are ‘extremely knowledgeable and experienced in telecommunications, competition and regulation of agency agreements’.

TLC – Cheresheva Mileva Tsankova is noted for its work advising local clients such as BulgarTel, Vestitel and Spectrum.

Varadinov & Co Attorneys-at-Law has a strong track record in TMT, having experience advising CableTel and Global Communications Net. It recently advised two individuals on their management buyout of Siemens Enterprise Communications.

Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm advises corporate clients on trade mark matters, including registrations and protection.

CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati EOOD is active in telecommunications and outsourcing agreements. Hewlett-Packard is a client.

Georgieva, Petrov, Nenkov, Georgiev Law Firm’s experience includes competition and IP matters.

Gugushev & Partners Law Office has an ‘outstanding’ TMT practice that is ‘learning fast and has energy and vitality’. It recently advised on several potential acquisitions.

Ilieva, Voutcheva & Co Law Firm represents clients in a variety of industries, including advertising company New Moment New Ideas and TV and film producer Camera. It is defending Bingo in an IP dispute.

Kalaidjiev and Georgiev advises on media, advertising and intellectual property matters. Clients include Chapp Media, Media Group and Zenith Advertising and Communication.

Law Firm Kolcheva, Smilenov, Koev and Partners advises clients on telecoms-related mandates. Managing partner Petya Kolcheva leads the practice.

Patent Universe is a boutique firm of 20 IP specialists, with expertise across all forms of IP, including litigation and drafting.

Teralex Consult’s clients include radio and TV broadcasters, which the group handles licensing, court representation and drafting issues.

Tocheva & Mandazhieva Law Office’s ‘first-class’ practice is led by the ‘delightful’ and ‘responsive’ Zhulieta Mandazhieva. It recently advised on the establishment of an online legal consultation project.

Yonev Valkov Nenov has a strong history within telecoms, media and advertising. Its clients include publishers, advertising agencies and media owners.