Norton Rose Fulbright > Athens, Greece > Firm Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

Greece > Shipping finance Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Athens office combines deep industry knowledge with expertise across a broad array of financing arrangements for an impressive roster of banking (commercial banks and ECAs) and operator/owner clients, from both a new money and refinancing perspective. The team is also well-placed to advise on UK law (the prominent jurisdiction governing the finance documents) in part due to the expertise of dual Greek and UK-qualified partner Yianni Cheilas, and can also effectively leverage the firm’s market-leading London office. Dual-qualified Evi Platsidaki handles a range of financing transactions in the shipping/offshore space, including large syndicated facilities, leasing transactions and LNG facilities.

Greece > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

Leveraging the expertise of a number of ‘very experienced and versatile lawyers’, as well as the ability to tap into international legal know-how by virtue of its vast global  network, Norton Rose Fulbright delivers ‘a highly commercial approach’ to lenders and borrowers engaged in financings within the core firm-wide areas of sector expertise, including transport, energy and TMT. Splitting his time between Athens and London, triple Greek, UK and US-qualified team head Yianni Cheilas is well versed at handling large syndicated financings for commercial banks (including many underwritten by export credit agencies), often in the context of shipping and offshore financings.

Greece > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright has a strong reputation for advising on the full spectrum of corporate transactions, including multi-jurisdictional M&A and takeover offers, as well as capital markets issues. The team is particularly adept at handling acquisitions within the renewable energy, real estate, and pharmaceutical sectors, whilst displaying ‘collaboration and flexibility’ when addressing private equity matters. Elena Tsohou and Vassilis Koroxenidis co-head the group from Athens, bringing vast expertise in corporate and banking affairs to the outfit. Dimitris Rampos, Nikos Anagnostopoulos-Gioussas, and Sergios Karotsieris are also noted.

Greece > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Acting alone or in collaboration with lawyers throughout its network of offices, including London, Norton Rose Fulbright is particularly effective at advising banks as creditors in domestic and cross-border restructurings. Although the firm is active in distressed mandates across a range of sectors, it is particularly well-placed to advise on mandates within the maritime sector, a core firmwide area of strength. Greek and UK-qualified team head Yianni Cheilas  has deep underlying knowledge of financial products, and is at the forefront of the highest-profile restructuring work handled by the office.  

Greece > Shipping litigation Tier 2

Although it is better known for its financing prowess, particularly since the recent departure of John Liberopoulos to set up his own firm Libra Law, the 'very knowledgeable' team at Norton Rose Fulbright is able to harness deep industry knowledge and leverage wide-ranging overarching disputes and commercial/financing prowess to good effect across a myriad contractual disputes for owners and financial institutions in the sector. In this context, the team, which can leverage vast international resources, is particularly effective representing clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes excelling in providing 'global advice which is co-ordinated locally'. Yianni Cheilas heads up the overarching shipping group and although he is primarily a transactional lawyer, does handle work for banks and funds for example on enforcement matters and vessel arrests. 

Greece > Energy Tier 3

Acting on behalf of financial institutions, investors and project developers in renewable and conventional power projects, the Norton Rose Fulbright energy team shows ‘knowledge, experience and punctuality’ when supporting clients. The Athens-based practice demonstrates significant expertise in the solar photovoltaic and wind power spheres and is led by Elena Tsohou, a specialist in corporate and M&A transactions. Vassilis Koroxenidis and Yianni Cheilas focus on banking and restructuring. Dimitris Rampos is also noted.

Greece > Real estate and construction Tier 3

With a strong offering in the acquisition, financing and development of top-end hotels, the Athens-based Norton Rose Fulbright practice routinely acts on behalf of major financial institutions and renewable energy corporations. Elena Tsohou specialises in M&A in the financial services sector, while Vassilis Koroxenidis is an expert in energy and infrastructure matters. Dimitris Rampos focuses on project finance issues, and Nikos Anagnostopoulos is knowledgeable in privatisations.

Greece > Dispute resolution Tier 4

Showing substantial activity in handling high-profile shipping litigation, in addition to representing major energy companies and financial institutions, the practice at Norton Rose Fulbright regularly leverages its global network of offices to handle cross-border cases. The Athens-based team also displays strength in all forms of alternative dispute resolution and regulatory enforcement. Vassilis Koroxenidis brings vast expertise in disputes in the shipping and energy industries to the outfit. Dimitris Rampos has ‘exceptional knowledge’, especially in EU law cases, whilst Sergios Karotsieris handles banking and capital markets cases.

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing

Hiring a significant team from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in April 2023, the Atlanta-based tech and commercial transactions group at Norton Rose Fulbright undertakes customer-side infrastructure modernization and digitalization mandates for insurance and pharma companies as well as consulting organizations. Georgia-stationed duo Sean Christy and Chuck Hollis advise customer side and select provider side traditional and digital outsourcing matters across a number of sectors, including financial services, hospitality, consumer products, retail, manufacturing and healthcare. Derek Johnston is known for his expertise in the financial services industry, while counsels Tim Carlton and Michelle Meiselmann are key contacts, with the former working on outsourcing agreements in regulated industries, namely healthcare and financial services, and the latter experienced in dealing with both offshore and onshore outsourcing transactions, including application developments and maintenances.