The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov has ‘hands-on experience’ and ‘in-depth industry knowledge’, and provides ‘first-class’ service. It is recommended for project finance, securitisation, acquisition finance and regulatory matters, and recently advised China Development Bank on the financing of a portfolio of power plant developments. It also acted for ProCredit Holding on the restructuring of a SME loan portfolio of Procredit Bank (Bulgaria). Other key clients include European Investment Bank and Deutsche Bank. The ‘highly rated’ Nikolai Gouginski and the ‘renowned’ Georgi Tzvetkov are recommended along with practice head Vessela Stancheva-Mincheva.

Within Capital markets, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s ‘detail-oriented’ team has ‘a pragmatic approach’. It is advising HYPO NOE Gruppe Bank on the restructuring of municipal bonds issued by the municipality of Kavarna. It also acted for KBC Verzekeringen on a squeeze-out offer in relation to the acquisition of DZI shares owned by minority shareholders and the target’s subsequent delisting. Vessela Stancheva-Mincheva and Nikolai Gouginski are recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is recommended for its ‘business-oriented approach’, and has ‘excellent in-depth knowledge of the Bulgarian legal framework’. It advised Verint Systems on the $24m acquisition of Focal Info and acted for Paddy Power on the acquisition of CT Networks (Cayetano Technologies), an e-gaming developer based in Bulgaria. The key individuals in this ‘experienced’ team are the ‘energetic and dedicated’ Zdravka Ugrinova, the ‘knowledgeable’ Violetta Kunze, and Omourtag Petkov, who is ‘always very responsive’.

Within Dispute resolution, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a second tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s ‘impressive’, ‘highly professional’ team is representing CEZ in preliminary reference proceedings before the European Court of Justice, and is advising Daewoo International Corporation in bankruptcy proceedings against a Bulgarian company. The ‘incredibly experienced’ Angel Ganev heads the practice.

Within EU and competition, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is recommended for its ‘ability to communicate complicated solutions in clear and simple language’. It advised Metro Cash and Carry during a CPC cartel investigation into six retailers. The firm is also advising Bunge Zrt and its Bulgarian subsidiary Kaliakra in proceedings before the CPC including a newly opened investigation into resale price maintenance and horizontal price fixing. It is also defending Wind Hellas Telecommunications in Bulgarian court matter against the three mobile telecoms operators. Milan Pandev and practice head Nikolai Gouginski are recommended.

Within Energy and natural resources, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s ‘highly professional’ and ‘deeply knowledgeable’ team advised China Development Bank and Postova Banka on respective financings of photovoltaic power plant portfolios. Other clients include Verbund and CEZ Bulgaria. Milan Pandev is ‘highly qualified’, and Georgi Gouginski is ‘outstanding’.

Within Projects and PPP, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s ‘strong’ team advised China Development Bank, Sky Solar and Chint Solar on the project financing and development of portfolios of Bulgarian photovoltaic power plants. It is also advising the European Investment Bank on the implementation of the JESSICA initiative to support urban development in Bulgaria. Stephan Kyutchukov and Milan Pandev are highly recommended.

Within Real estate and construction, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s ‘responsive’ team is advising NIS Petrol on the acquisition of petrol stations, storage bases and plots of land; Karsch Venture Capital on the purchase of commercial property and the development of a shopping complex near Sofia; and Moda Sport on the acquisition of 99 plots of agricultural land in Stara Zagora. Practice head Stephan Kyutchukov is ‘outstanding’.

Within TMT, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is a first tier firm,

Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov’s TMT practice has ‘excellent market knowledge’, and fields ‘a strong team advising on telecoms matters’. It recently represented Wind Hellas Telecommunications before the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) and the Supreme Administrative Court, and acted for Verint System on the acquisition of Focal Info. It also advises PCCW Global on telecoms regulations, and advises Nokia on its sales operations in Bulgaria. Violetta Kunze has ‘excellent contacts’ and ‘up-to-date knowledge of the sector’.