The Legal 500

Within Banking, finance and capital markets, PotamitisVekris is a first tier firm,

PotamitisVekris is advising the HFSF, as lender and future shareholder of Alpha Bank, on the bank’s acquisition of Emporiki Bank from Crédit Agricole. It is also assisting the HFSF with the country’s bank recapitalisation process. George Bersis heads the team, which also includes Stathis Potamitis and Euripides Ioannou.

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

PotamitisVekris has a very good reputation and has been involved in some of the largest deals in the market: for example, it advised Pak Group, a Turkish cardboard manufacturer, on the acquisition of Greek competitor Mel. The firm also advised the Hellenic Privatisation Fund on privatising the Athens and Thessaloniki water and sewage companies. Stathis Potamitis heads the team, which also includes public M&A specialist George Bersis and energy expert Euripides Ioannou.

Within Dispute resolution, PotamitisVekris is a first tier firm,

Xenophon Paparrigopoulos heads PotamitisVekris’ practice, which has an excellent record in commercial, administrative and fraud-related disputes. It advises a mix of domestic and international clients, including Puma, which it defended against claims brought by former partners and franchisees. Other clients include Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Lidl.

Within EU and competition, PotamitisVekris is a second tier firm,

PotamitisVekris advised Procter & Gamble on a Competition Commission investigation into the detergents and nappy markets. Another highlight was advising the HFSF on merger control issues pertaining to the state’s ownership of share capital in the Greek banks. Xenephon Paparrigopoulos is an experienced regulatory and competition lawyer with an excellent track record.

Within Employment, PotamitisVekris is a first tier firm,

PotamitisVekris has a superb track record for contentious matters and, on the advisory side, assisted both HSBC and RBS with the implementation of voluntary redundancy schemes. Practice head Alexios Papastavrou is one of the best-known lawyers in the market.

Within Energy, PotamitisVekris is a first tier firm,

PotamitisVekris’ good-quality team is led by highly rated corporate and energy specialist Euripides Ioannou. It recently advised a consortium including Hellenic Petroleum, Edison International and Melrose Resources on the tender for three onshore and offshore exploration licences in western Greece. Other clients include Hanergy, SunEdison and Itochu Corporation.

Within Intellectual property, PotamitisVekris is a second tier firm,

PotamitisVekris’ ‘excellent’ team has ‘an in-depth and thorough understanding of IP issues’. Xenophon Paparrigopoulos heads the team, which also includes Alexandros Koliothomas, who ‘stands out for his intellect, competence, multiple strengths and talents’. Key clients include Puma, Microsoft and Procter & Gamble.

Within Projects and privatisation, PotamitisVekris is a first tier firm,

PotamitisVekris was involved in several major privatisations, including advising the HRADF on the privatisation of the Athens and Thessaloniki sewerage and water companies. On the projects side, the firm advised the sponsors on the Ionian and E-65 motorway developments. Euripides Ioannou heads the team, which is praised for its ‘very good level of service and swift response times’. George Bersis shows ‘good team management, exceptional interpersonal skills’, and the ‘ability to provide solutions’.

Within Real estate and construction, PotamitisVekris is a first tier firm,

PotamitisVekris’ excellent team advised Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece and Emporiki Bank on the €100m financing of the construction of a 36,000sq m office building to be leased to Cosmote. Euripides Ioannou is well regarded for construction law.

Within Shipping finance, tier 4

PotamitisVekris’ clients include Minerva Marine, Eurobulk and Brave Maritime. Vicky Psaltis is now the key contact after name partner Ioannis Vekris passed away in 2012.

Within Shipping litigation, PotamitisVekris is a third tier firm,

PotamitisVekris’ shipping expert Konstantinos Papadiamantis is ‘commercially minded, efficient, and fast’. Eurobulk is a major client.

Within TMT, PotamitisVekris is a second tier firm,

PotamitisVekris’ broad TMT practice counts BT among its clients. On the technology side, it advised Microsoft on its software anti-piracy campaign, and acted for Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company on various media, software development and licensing issues. Stathis Potamitis heads the team.