The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Boyanov & Co is a first tier firm,

Boyanov & Co’s ‘knowledgeable’ group provides ‘a first-rate service’. It advised RBS on the restructuring of syndicated loan facilities to AIG and BTC in order to facilitate the sale of Vivacom to Corporate Commercial Bank and VTB. Other highlights included advising Fraport Twin Star Airport Management on obtaining a $28m financing from UniCredit Bulbank to renovate terminals at Varna and Burgas airports. It was also instructed by Greece-based groups, Fourlis and Danaos, on the construction of a shopping mall. Damian Simeonov is ‘excellent’, and Yordan Naydenov, Alexander Chatalbashev and Svetlina Kortenska are also recommended.

Within Capital markets, Boyanov & Co is a first tier firm,

Boyanov & Co’s ‘very experienced’ capital markets team is advising Bank of America on Bulgarian law matters relating to its corporate card programme in Europe, and assisted Wells Fargo with a survey of regulatory requirements, products and services in Bulgaria. Damian Simeonov is recommended.

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

Boyanov & Co’s ‘thorough and detail-oriented’ team pairs ‘knowledge of the law’ with an ability to provide ‘clear solutions’. It advised the Bulgarian government on the €110m privatisation of Bulgartabac, the largest Bulgarian cigarettes and tobacco manufacturer; Citi VCI on its €80m purchase of a stake in Huvepharma; Lidl on the acquisition of its competitor, Plus, in Bulgaria; and Allied Irish Banks on the disposal of its participation in Bulgarian American Commercial Bank. Practice head Yordan Naydenov is ‘a real expert’, and Damian Simeonov is also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Boyanov & Co is a second tier firm,

Boyanov & Co’s ‘professional, efficient and friendly’ team is representing the Bulgarian subsidiary of Dundee Precious Metals in a Supreme Administrative Court case, and acted for Minerali Industriali Bulgaria and Mineral Resources in an insolvency case regarding claims for more than €2.5m. It is also advising F. Hoffmann-La Roche in patent litigation. Kina Chuturkova is ‘competent, experienced and committed’, and Boyko Voynov is also recommended.

Within EU and competition, Boyanov & Co is a first tier firm,

The ‘first-rate’ Peter Petrov heads Boyanov & Co’s ‘quick and effective’ team, which represented Quadrant Beverages in a matter regarding sanctions in respect of alleged unfair promotional practices. Other highlights included advising a leading international pharmaceuticals company regarding a local distributor’s claim before the Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) that it refused to authorise participation. It also advised Doka in aproceeding before the CPC regarding allegations of unfair competitive practice.

Within Energy and natural resources, Boyanov & Co is a first tier firm,

Boyanov & Co’s ‘fantastic, first-tier practice’ and is expert in renewable energy and nuclear matters. It advised AOA Atomenergoprom on the $6bn Belene nuclear power plant project; and Alerion Clean Power on the financing and acquisition of a wind farm portfolio. It acted for a major European utility company on the acquisition and development of a portfolio of biomass co-generation plants. ‘Enthusiastic’ practice head Alexander Chatalbashev is ‘a leading light for energy matters’.

Within Projects and PPP, Boyanov & Co is a first tier firm,

Boyanov & Co’s ‘committed team’ provides ‘excellent response times’. It advised Kapsch CarrierCom on its participation in the Bulgarian National Railway Infrastructure Company public procurement process for the design and construction of a signalling and telecoms system. It also advised Eutelsat on public procurement matters regarding the transmission and satellite distribution of Bulgarian National Television. Practice head Raina Dimitrova is ‘excellent’, and Yordan Naydenov is also well regarded.

Within Real estate and construction, Boyanov & Co is a first tier firm,

Boyanov & Co’s ‘quick and responsive’ real estate and construction team is praised for its ‘clear and effective’ advice. It acted for a major European utility company on the construction of biomass co-generation plants. Practice head Nickolay Nickolov is ‘a very experienced and effective real estate lawyer’.

Within TMT, Boyanov & Co is a first tier firm,

Boyanov & Co’s ‘outstanding’ TMT team continues to advise RBS on its €1.4bn loan to AIG for the acquisition of a majority stake in Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC), and recently advised Telefonika on regulatory matters regarding a resale of telecoms services. It also advises Fox Channel on its activities in Bulgaria, and other notable clients include Blizoo Media and Broadband and Cosmote Telecommunications. The ‘highly regarded’ Damian Simeonov heads the practice.