The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance , Penkov, Markov & Partners is a second tier firm,

Penkov, Markov & Partners advises lenders on transactions. Notable work included advising Credit Suisse on the securitisation of receivables relating to a €15m loan to a Bulgarian company, and acting for Nykredit Bank regarding the insolvency of a Danish debtor and liquidation of its assets. It also advised Kardan on a financing of its Bulgarian subsidiary through a combination of its own funds and bank financing.

Within Capital markets , Penkov, Markov & Partners is a second tier firm,

Penkov, Markov & Partners recently advised TBI Credit on a €40m bond offering and TBI Invest on a number of securities offerings. It provides regulatory advice to longstanding clients Bulgarian Telecommunications Company and Druzhba Glassworks.

Within Corporate and M&A , Penkov, Markov & Partners is a first tier firm,

Penkov, Markov & Partners’ ‘one-of-a-kind’ practice is ‘accessible, knowledgeable, accurate and responsive’. The four-partner team is currently advising a large financial group on its acquisition of a small Bulgarian bank, and advised CMB Bulgaria on its shareholder restructuring. It provides ongoing corporate assistance to the Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group. Name partners Vladimir Penkov and Ivan Markov are ‘exceptional practitioners’.

Within EU and competition , Penkov, Markov & Partners is a first tier firm,

Led by Vladimir Penkov and Svetlin Adrianov, Penkov, Markov & Partners’ competition team handles day-to-day competition issues for its corporate clients, as well as representing them before the CPC in standalone cases. Highlights included defending CMB Bulgaria in alleged violations of the Competition Protection Act, and Chipita Bulgaria in a case of alleged misleading commercial activity.

Within Privatisation, PPP and foreign investment, Penkov, Markov & Partners is a second tier firm,

Penkov, Markov & Partners advises on privatisation and foreign investment. It has a well-respected renewable energy practice.

Within Projects, energy and natural resources, Penkov, Markov & Partners is a first tier firm,

Penkov, Markov & Partners is ‘a blue-chip energy firm’, and is extremely active in solar and wind projects. Highlights included advising Innovative Wind Concepts on a 300MW wind farm, and Enertrag on a 500MW wind farm. It is also advising on developing numerous solar power plants for clients such as Solar Vision and Mega Solar. Practice head Svetoslav Dimitrov is ‘a must-have lawyer for any energy project’, and Nickolay Kiskinov is ‘extremely reliable with unmatched understanding of electricity and gas policies and legislation’. Managing partner Vladimir Penkov is a ‘driving force’ within the sector.

Within Real estate and construction , Penkov, Markov & Partners is a first tier firm,

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.

Within TMT , Penkov, Markov & Partners is a first tier firm,

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.