The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance , Schoenherr is a second tier firm,

Schoenherr has a strong client base of financial institutions, banks and corporates. It advised the International Swaps and Derivatives Assocation on netting and collateral issues in Bulgaria, and Raiffeisenbank on acquisition financing for a power plant. It also advised Advent International on KAI Group’s debt reduction, restructuring and security packages. Anton Andreev and Tsvetan Krumov are the key contacts.

Within Corporate and M&A , Schoenherr is a second tier firm,

Schoenherr’s ‘excellent’ practice has a number of high-profile international clients. It advised Siemens on the demerger of its IT business in Bulgaria, and assisted Edison SpA with structuring of its joint venture with Bulgarian Energy Holding. The team also advised Advent International on restructuring following its acquisition of a controlling interest in KAI Group. Other clients include Novomatic, JCDecaux, Verbund and Duropack. The team is led by Alexandra Doytchinova and includes the ‘very responsive’ Ilko Stoyanov.

Within EU and competition , Schoenherr is a third tier firm,

Schoenherr’s practice is jointly led by Ilko Stoyanov and Mariya Papazova, and regularly advises its corporate clients on competition matters. It has handled merger control mandates for Durpack, Procter & Gamble and Raiffeisen, and assisted clients such as Samsung, Mondi and OMV with cartel law compliance and investigations.

Within Legal market overview,

Boyanov & Co and Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov are prominent local firms, but are increasingly facing competition from rivals such as Spasov & Bratanov, Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners (Landwell) and Kambourov & Partners, as well as foreign firm CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch. The Austrian firms of Wolf Theiss and Schoenherr are also increasingly influential in the region.

Within Projects, energy and natural resources, Schoenherr is a second tier firm,

Schoenherr has developed an ‘excellent’ reputation. Highlights included representing EVN as bidder for the Enel Maritza East 3 power plant. The team is also advising OMV on its upstream and downstream business, and Edison in its joint venture with Bulgarian Energy Holdings to create a natural gas pipeline between Bulgaria and Greece. Managing partner Alexandra Doytchinova is recommended, as is Stefana Tsekova, who is praised for her ‘professionalism and extraordinary adaptability’.

Within Real estate and construction , Schoenherr is a second tier firm,

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.

Within TMT , Schoenherr is a second tier firm,

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.