The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance , Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a second tier firm,

Dinova & Rusev provides ‘commercial, prompt and clear advice’ to many of the largest domestic and international banks and corporates including Alpha Bank, United Bulgarian Bank, CEZ Bulgaria, Sofia Hotel Balkan, Assos Capital and EFG Eurobank Ergasias. Having broken its ties with Ernst & Young, the firm continues to blaze a trail in the region and advises clients across the spectrum of matters including acquisition, asset, real estate and project financings. Given the relative paucity of new-money deals in the market, the team has been increasingly busy advising on regulatory matters. The group represented IsBank on opening its Bulgaria branch, and advised United Bulgarian Bank on MiFID compliance. The ‘efficient’ Anelia Dinova leads the team.

Within Capital markets , Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a third tier firm,

The ‘impressive’ team at Dinova & Rusev has handled a range of regulatory matters for clients, including MiFID compliance concerns for EFG Eurobank Ergasias, and transactional matters, such as a public tender offering for Sofia Hotel Balkan. Managing partner Anelia Dinova is praised for her ‘sophisticated advice and in-depth knowledge of the market’ and is a key part of a team that also includes the ‘excellent’ Diana Valkova. Clients include United Bulgarian Bank, EFG Eurobank Egrasias, CEZ and Sofia Hotel Balkan.

Within Corporate and M&A , Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a second tier firm,

The ‘knowledgeable, experienced, hardworking and ethical’ team at Dinova & Rusev has an excellent reputation at advising domestic and international corporates on both big-ticket mandates and regular day-to-day commercial matters. Benefiting from a ‘well co-ordinated’ team, which includes the ‘efficient and solution orientated’ Milen Rusev, the firm has a particular prowess at advising international corporates who are establishing or expanding their business in the country. For example, the team continues to advise leading Greek commercial, retail and industrial group, the Marinopoulos Group, on its Bulgarian operations. The ‘technically solid and international standard’ Anelia Dinova leads from the front and is ‘always an asset when she participates in negotiations’. Clients include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, S&B Industrial Minerals, the Grecotel Group and SBS Prosieben.

Within EU and competition , Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a second tier firm,

Headed by the ‘efficient and solution-orientated’ Milen Rusev, Dinova & Rusev ‘provides an excellent service and benefits from a well co-ordinated team of lawyers that are knowledgeable, experienced, dedicated, hardworking and ethical’. As well as regularly picking up the concomitant clearance work associated with big-ticket mergers the firm also regularly appears before the CPC. The firm is advising Restis Group on a range of matters including the competition law issues associated with real estate acquisitions in Bulgaria and ensuring compliance with unfair competition rules in relation to its advertising and marketing campaigns. Other clients include Reckitt Benckieser, Daskalantonakis Group and Alpha Bank. Diana Valkova is also recommended.

Within Privatisation, PPP and foreign investment, Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a second tier firm,

Now no longer restricted by its ties with Ernst & Young and also benefiting from a fertile relationship with former PI Partner colleagues Potamitisvekris in Greece, Dinova & Rusev excels at advising on foreign investment mandates. Recent highlights include advising Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on the establishment of a joint venture with a Bulgarian partner regarding the construction and exploitation of a photovoltaic energy park. Anelia Dinova and Milen Rusev are recommended.

Within Projects, energy and natural resources, Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a third tier firm,

Dinova & Rusev has ‘up-to-date and deep knowledge’ of the energy market and provides ‘structured and concise advice in a user-friendly fashion’. Active in transactions across a plethora of energy sources, the team has a good reputation in the renewables space and has a particular forte advising on the implementation of wind power plants. Active across the gamut of matters including financing, M&A-related activities and regulatory issues, the team recently advised OpetAygaz on the sale of its shares in a petrol stations holding company. Milen Rusev and ‘clear and user-friendly’ senior associate Iliya Grozdanov are integral members of a team that acts for an impressive roster of clients including CEZ Bulgaria, ENEL, Bentonit and Kaliakra Wind Power.

Within Real estate and construction , Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a second tier firm,

‘Always ready to go the extra mile for its clients’, Dinova & Rusev advises an expanding roster of high-profile investor clients including REITs, venture funds and developers on an array of commercial, industrial and personal property matters. Anelia Dinova is ‘second to none in resolving complex problems’, while Todor Kakachev is praised for his ‘deep understanding of the commercial aspects of development of shopping mall projects’, and has been particularly active advising South Ring Mall in Sofia on acquisition and development work. Other clients include Assos Capital, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and S&B Industrial Minerals.

Within Shipping , Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a second tier firm,

Dinova & Rusev continues to advise Restis and has also recently picked up work for a Cypriot shipping group in a fraud investigation.

Within TMT , Dinova, Rusev & Partners is a second tier firm,

At Dinova & Rusev, the ‘superb’ Milen Rusev heads a team that provides ‘accessible and professional advice’ to an impressive roster of clients, predominantly within the telecoms sector. ‘Very professional, responsive, co-operative and efficient’ associate Iliya Grozdanov advises IT solutions company Bynet Bulgaria on a range of ongoing commercial matters including public procurement and IP advice. Clients include Sony Ericsson, Grecotel and Procter & Gamble.