The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices’ ‘first-tier’ banking practice regularly represents domestic and international banks and is involved in several major restructurings. It recently advised the banks, including National Bank of Greece and Alpha Bank, on a €635m bond issued by the Hellenic Railways Organisation. Athanasia Tsene is highly recommended for banking matters, and Nikos Papachristopoulos has ‘good experience’ in capital markets.

Within Corporate and M&A, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices’ ‘excellent, very professional and responsive’ corporate practice is praised for its ‘flexibility and open-mindedness, as well as its high level of professionalism’. Recent highlights include advising Marinopoulos Group on the establishment of a joint venture with Carrefour. Panayotis Bernitsas is praised for his ‘bird’s eye view and analytical thinking’, and Nikos Papachristopoulos is ‘one of the most experienced Greek lawyers around’.

Within Dispute resolution, M & P Bernitsas is a second tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices’ practice head Dimitris Roussis writes ‘very good legal documents’, and the ‘very reliable and experienced’ Panayotis Bernitsas has ‘very good legal knowledge’.

Within EU and competition, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices’ ‘very good’ EU and competition practice includes Augustine Almyroudi, who is ‘quick in mind and response’, and managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas, who has ‘an excellent command of competition law’. It recently represented BP Hellas, now Hellenic Fuels, in its successful appeal against a decision issued by the Greek Competition Committee over price-fixing allegations.

Within Employment, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

The employment lawyers at M & P Bernitsas Law Offices are ‘all committed to quality’, and act for clients including BMW Hellas, Diesel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Samsung and UPS. Katia Papantonopoulou is very well regarded.

Within Energy, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices has a versatile energy practice that handles regulatory and transactional matters. It has represented numerous lenders in financings and restructurings. Augustine Almyroudi is recommended for regulatory advice, as is Yannis Kourniotis for projects and transactions. Clients include BP and Corinthos Power.

Within Intellectual property, M & P Bernitsas is a second tier firm,

Yannis Chryssospathis heads the team at M & P Bernitsas Law Offices, which has a good record in data protection matters. Clients include BMW Hellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EMI, and Smith & Nephew.

Within Legal market overview ,

The legal market has ridden the economic turmoil better than most sectors, partly because lawyers are less specialised than counterparts in larger jurisdictions and have maintained a flexible and robust approach to the changing demands of the market. Karatzas & Partners Law Firm, Koutalidis Law Firm, M & P Bernitsas Law Offices, Potamitisvekris and KGDI Law Firm are the most prominent Greek firms, with the latter the largest by size with around 100 lawyers. UK shipping law firms represent the bulk of international operations in Greece, and the majority have kept to the confines of this practice, with the exceptions of Norton Rose LLP with a full-service offering; Watson, Farley & Williams – Greek Branch for energy matters; and Reed Smith.

Within Projects and privatisation, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices ‘outperforms other firms in terms of situational analysis, clarity of suggestions and business sense’. It recently advised the lenders (led by Calyon) and the sponsors (including Vinci and Hoctief) on the €1.6bn Maliakos-Kleidi and €2.4bn Elefsina-Corinthos-Patra stretches of the Pathe motorway project. Panayotis Bernitsas is praised for his ‘clear-cut views, constructive approach and solutions-oriented advice’. Dimitris Roussis and Yannis Kourniotis are also highly recommended.

Within Real estate and construction, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices’ managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas and his team advise a mix of lenders, investors, developers, hotel chains and leasing companies. Highlights included representing Sciens International Investments and Holdings on the €31m acquisition and subsequent lease of two office buildings and a warehouse.

Within TMT, M & P Bernitsas is a first tier firm,

Regulatory expert Augustine Almyroudi has a good practice at M & P Bernitsas Law Offices, which recently advised IDT Hellas on the regulatory framework and licensing requirements for its Greek activities. Other clients include OTE, RTL and WIND Hellas.

Within Tax, M & P Bernitsas is a second tier firm,

M & P Bernitsas Law Offices regularly advises corporations, financial institutions and individuals on taxation matters. Clients include BMW Hellas. Nikos Papachristopoulos is a key contact.