The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance , Spasov & Bratanov is a first tier firm,

Spasov & Bratanov’s adaptable practice handles a wide range of transactions including asset, project and corporate finance for a largely international roster of banks. The firm has a strong pedigree in the energy sector and this accounts for a significant amount of the financings handled by the team. Past work has included advising a leading international bank on its €30m loan to a major foreign-based multinational company to support its greenfield investments. Formerly in-house at the EBRD, Vassil Hadjov is well regarded in the banking and finance community, as is managing partner Georgi Spasov.

Within Capital markets , Spasov & Bratanov is a first tier firm,

Spasov & Bratanov has a ‘very good reputation’ for capital markets work, for both issuers and underwriters. Recent work has included advising several investment companies on the purchase of a major corporate. Georgi Spasov and Vassil Hadjov are the lynchpins of the practice.

Within Corporate and M&A , Spasov & Bratanov is a second tier firm,

Headed by Georgi Spasov, Spasov & Bratanov’s small team punches above its weight, and is ‘professional and very good at large-scale work’. This was recently exemplified by its role for a consortium of private equity sponsors on the attempted acquisition of a privately held corporate. Vassil Hadjov is also recommended.

Within Legal market overview,

Domestic leviathans Borislav Boyanov & Co and Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov continue to dominate the legal landscape, though firms such as Spasov & Bratanov, Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners (Landwell) and Kambourov & Partners are increasingly viewed by domestic and international corporates as viable alternatives. Of the foreign law firms in the market, CMS Cameron McKenna in cooperation with Petkova & Sirleshtov Law Office continues to blaze a trail and has successfully embedded itself in the market, gaining mandates not only from clients of the network but also increasingly from domestic corporates.

Within Privatisation, PPP and foreign investment, Spasov & Bratanov is a first tier firm,

Acting either directly for the foreign investor or through a referral, Spasov & Bratanov is a market leader for handling foreign investment and to date has handled the establishment of joint ventures and companies in Bulgaria for clients from more than 15 countries. The firm is also a recognised leader at handling utility concessions and has had an active role in the privatisation process – most recently advising the Privatisation Agency on the sale of the Navibulgar, the Bulgarian maritime fleet.

Within Projects, energy and natural resources, Spasov & Bratanov is a second tier firm,

Spasov & Bratanov is focused on advising domestic and foreign investors on the financing, development and operation of energy (electricity and gas), water and PPP-based infrastructure projects. Particularly accomplished at advising on oil and gas matters, the firm is representing a foreign corporate on the exploration and development of significant oil and gas reserves in the Bulgarian sea shelf of the Black Sea and on related oil and gas production.