The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance , Wolf Theiss is a second tier firm,

Wolf Theiss’ banking practice is ‘a great blend of technical skill and genuine industry knowledge’, and it has been significantly boosted by the addition of several lawyers from Rivoza & Partners and a number of new client wins. Recent highlights include advising the EBRD on interbank loans of €75m to Eurobank EFG Bulgaria; €75m to Piraeus Bank Bulgaria; and €150m to United Bulgarian Bank. Anna Rizova, Richard Clegg and senior associate Katerina Kraeva ‘put the client’s needs first’ and provide ‘immediate responses and support’.

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

Wolf Theiss has a number of multinational clients, including Bancroft Capital, for which it acted on the acquisition of Croatian courier services company CityEx. It also advised Gramercy Emerging Markets Fund on its potential acquisition of a stake in Bulgarian American Credit Bank. Other clients include Bulgarian Energy Holding and Sensata. Richard Clegg leads the team, which includes recent arrival Anna Rizova.

Within EU and competition , Wolf Theiss is a third tier firm,

Wolf Theiss has a ‘precise knowledge of the market’ and an enviable client list, due in part to its recent absorption of the team from the now defunct Rizova & Partners Law Firm. The team advised Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria on merger control aspects of its acquisition of Mall Varna, and represented Dr Oetker Group before the CPC and Supreme Administrative Court regarding promotion incentives. Other clients include Bulgarian Energy Holding, Gramercy and Visa Europe. Anna Rizova and Richard Clegg lead the team.

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 Privatisation, PPP and foreign investment Other recommended firms

Within Projects, energy and natural resources, tier 4

Wolf Theiss advised SunEdison on four solar energy projects, and continues to advise Bulgarian Energy Holding on a variety of energy-related matters. Other clients include Ideema Sun, Euroinvest and Juwi Solar. The hugely experienced Anna Rizova heads the team, which also includes managing partner Richard Clegg.

Within Real estate and construction , Wolf Theiss is a second tier firm,

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’.

Within TMT , Wolf Theiss is a second tier firm,

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.