CMS has demonstrable experience in advising on the largest projects in Bulgaria, notably in the energy sector, where the team covers upstream oil and gas, renewables, nuclear energy and mining, among others, as well as construction and infrastructure matters. Managing partner and energy specialist Kostadin Sirleshtov jointly leads the team alongside Dimitar Zwiatkow, whose focus lies on the renewable energy sector. Elsewhere, the practice group's caseload includes PPPs and public procurement projects across the defence, transport and environment sectors. Key clients include Rosatom, OMV Petrom and Svilengrad Solar.

Praised for its ‘detailed knowledge and deep experience’, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov's projects development practice advises on the full cycle of infrastructure utilities and transport projects, as well as acting for local governments and financial institutions on both the financing and sponsor side of high-profile concessions and PPP projects. Combining interdisciplinary expertise from across the firm, the team is jointly led by public procurement and energy expert Milan Pandev, head of real estate and construction Stephan Kyutchukov, and Nikolai Gouginski, who focuses on the financing aspects of infrastructure, construction and financial projects.

Kambourov & Partners’ caseload features high-profile mandates, ‘ranging from airport and port concessions to pipelines and power plants, highways and other infrastructure projects’. In one highlight, the group advised the consortium HSS-Monolit Sofia on a public procurement procedure for the design and construction of a new section of the Third Line of the Sofia metro. Atanas Shopov, who heads the firm’s real estate and construction practice, jointly leads the team alongside energy specialist Stefan Tzakov, while practice deputy head Elena Apostolova is praised as an ‘excellent expert in public procurement’.

Wolf Theiss handles top-end infrastructure projects, such as advising the European Investment Bank on the financing of the Bulgaria-Greece Interconnector project, as well as cross-border privatisations and concessions. The multidisciplinary team also represents the lenders, including EBRD, IFC and UniCredit Bulbank, among others, in the financing of Sofia Airport Concession. Managing partner Anna Rizova leads the practice group, which includes corporate partner Richard Clegg, whose expertise lies in infrastructure and regulated sectors, banking and finance specialist Katerina Kraeva and Radoslav Mikov, who handles a broad spectrum of energy-related mandates.

Noted for its capability in renewable energy and nuclear power projects, Boyanov & Co. leverages the expertise of teams across the firm, including finance, energy, TMT, real estate and construction, among others, to also advise clients on concessions; its recent work includes representing Fraport in a tender procedure for granting concession for Sofia Airport. ‘Experienced’ partner Nickolay Nickolov, who heads the real estate and construction department and has experience in handling infrastructure projects, jointly leads the practice alongside energy specialist Alexander Chatalbashev.

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co acts for domestic and international companies across the energy, TMT and real estate sectors on concessions, projects and public procurement tenders, as well as large-scale acquisition financings. ‘Legal giant’ and litigator Metodi Baykushev jointly leads the practice alongside Boyana Milcheva, who is noted for her expertise in real estate and construction projects, while senior associates Pencho Stanchev and Donka Stoyanova are key members of the team. Notable client gains include IT distributor Exclusive Networks SAS, Elta 90 M and Bulad Dent.

The interdisciplinary team at Schoenherr (in cooperation with Stoyanov & Tsekova) has experience of acting for public and private sector clients on major energy, infrastructure and industrial projects, as well as public procurements. Stefana Tsekova heads the practice group and is experienced in handling energy projects, including advising Alstom on an open €65m railcars maintenance tender procedure announced by the Bulgarian Railway Company. Office managing partner and M&A specialist Alexandra Doytchinova is another key contact in the team.

Georgiev, Todorov & Co counts investors, municipalities and companies, including Vatia Holding, G.P. Group and Galchev Engineering, among its roster of clients and advises on infrastructure and real estate projects, including public procurement, due diligence, planning and development, and construction. ‘Goal-driven professional’ and practice leader Miglena Peneva specialises in real estate and construction projects, while Arno Mamasyan provides representation to clients, such as Galchev Engineering, in disputes.

Kinstellar is noted for its capability in this space, as highlighted by its ongoing advice to the concessionaire of Sofia Airport, Meridiam, on matters ranging from the bid submission in the public procurement to the commencement of the concession. Managing partner Diana Dimova, who focuses on public tenders and major infrastructure projects, jointly leads the team alongside Antonia Mavrova, who advises on the construction aspects of project developments.