The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance , CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch has a ‘very reliable’ practice with ‘extremely thorough knowledge of the country’s applicable legislation, court cases and recent developments’. The team’s recent work has had a strong focus on restructuring, including advising MKB Bank on restructuring a syndicated facility for the development of a ski resort. Other instructions included advising Europa Capital on financing for its acquisition of the Mall of Sofia shopping centre; and the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism on establishing a holding fund stucture. Managing partner Reneta Petkova leads the team, and is praised for her ‘personal touch with clients’.

Within Capital markets , CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch’s practice is headed by Reneta Petkova, and acts for clients on potential cross-border securitisations and euro-denominated bonds issuances.

Within Corporate and M&A , CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch advised leading food retailer Delhaize Group on its €932m acquisition of Delta Maxi Group, owner of retail chain Piccadilly, and Europa Capital on its acquisition of the Mall of Sofia from GE Capital Investments. Johnson & Johnson is also a client. Atanas Bangachev heads the four-partner team, which also includes Reneta Petkova.

Within EU and competition , CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

Highlights for senior associate Pavel Hristov’s team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch included successfully representing Europa Capital before the CPC regarding the unconditional merger clearance of its acquisition of the Mall of Sofia. It also advised Strabag on merger control issues, and Diageo on regulatory issues regarding misleading and prohibited comparative advertising.

Within Legal market overview,

Boyanov & Co and Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov are prominent local firms, but are increasingly facing competition from rivals such as Spasov & Bratanov, Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners (Landwell) and Kambourov & Partners, as well as foreign firm CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch. The Austrian firms of Wolf Theiss and Schoenherr are also increasingly influential in the region.

Within Privatisation, PPP and foreign investment, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch’s work in 2011 was split between PPP and foreign investment. It is advising the Invest Bulgaria Agency on drafting its public procurement process concerning a project to promote investment opportunities in Bulgaria. The team also recently advised global defence company EADS on a project for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Balkantel on its projects for the Ministry of Defence. It also has a strong foreign investor client base within the energy sector.

Within Projects, energy and natural resources, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch has a ‘strong’ and ‘knowledgeable’ team noted for its expertise within the power industry. It acted for key client Toshiba in its recently completed €300m refurbishment of Maritza Iztok II thermal power plant, and was also selected by the government to conduct a feasibility study for a coal-fired thermal power plant. It also advised Korean investor SDN on its creation of five solar power projects in central Bulgaria totalling 58MW and valued at €184m. Practice head Kostadin Sirleshtov is ‘outstanding’.

Within Real estate and construction , CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a first tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch’s real estate practice has ‘superior experience and knowledge’. In 2010, it advised Europa Capital on the €100m acquisition of the Mall of Sofia and the €20m acquisition of Plovdiv retail park, and represented Tishman International on a €250m property investment project near Sofia Airport. The team is now headed by senior associate Peter Takov, who joined from Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners (Landwell) in 2010. The ‘very responsive’ David Butts is also recommended.

Within TMT , CMS Cameron McKenna LLP is a second tier firm,

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP – Bulgaria Branch provides corporate advice to its leading TMT clients. Recent work includes advising Selex Galileo on a regulatory and commercial matter, and assisting Balkantel with its projects for the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Transport. Team head David Butts is highly respected.