The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Greece > EU and competition

Bernitsas Law has developed a superb reputation in this area, regularly handling merger clearances and cases before the Hellenic Competition Commission, as well as EU law issues such as public procurement. The firm successfully represented Hellenic Fuels on its appeal over the HCC's decision on alleged collusion with Shell. On the merger control side, it advised Hellenic Healthcare on the clearance for its purchase of a 97% stake in IASO. Newly-promoted partner Marina Androulakakis leads the team, which includes the highly experienced Panayotis Bernitsas and counsel Augustine Almyroudi.

D.N. Tzouganatos & Partners is a top-quality boutique with a lengthy track record of advising clients on complex points of EU law and competition matters. This includes advice on state aid and public procurement issues. Name partner Dimitris Tzouganatos is one of the best-known figures in the market. Nikos Kosmidis and Katerina Paneri are also recommended.

The 'efficient and proficient' team at Dryllerakis & Associates has 'excellent and in-depth knowledge of both EU and Greek competition law'. Emmanuel Dryllerakis' team benefits from the expertise of several leading individuals, including John C. Dryllerakis, whose 'knowledge of the law and wisdom commands the respect of all'. Meanwhile, the 'deeply conscientious' John Damilakis has 'deep knowledge beyond his age'. The firm has been representing Unilever on an an abuse of dominance case linked to the Greek margarine market. Cleomenis Yannikas is also highly recommended.

Koutalidis Law Firm is a major player in the market, and Stamatis Drakakakis is recommended by clients and peers. The firm has a leading reputation for state aid matters and also handles plenty of merger clearances as part of its M&A practice. Katia Protopapa is also well-regarded.

PotamitisVekris Law Firm's team of lawyers 'has all the qualities that make them top: excellent knowledge, experience and speed, and very cost effective'. The 'always polite, responsive and to-the-point' group head Dimitris Loukas is 'the competition heavyweight in Greece' and a 'recognised expert in EU competition law' who 'offers amazing value to clients'. The firm recently advised WIND on competition issues linked to its joint bid with Vodafone to acquire Forthnet. The firm also helped Notos Com Holdings overturn an Hellenic Competition Commission fine in the Court of Appeals. Stathis Potamitis and Xenophon Paparrigopoulos are also highly rated.

Ballas, Pelecanos & Associates LPC enjoys a strong standing in the market for advice on multiple areas including cartel claims, abuse of dominance issues and state aid advice. Gregory Pelecanos advises Allergan, Hyundai, LafargeHolcim and Diesel, to name a few.

Karatzas & Partners has a 'well-established' practice that is highly experienced in merger clearance work, thanks in part to its market-leading M&A team. The firm has also represented several clients in investigations before the HCC. The team recently advised Bain Capital on merger control issues concerning its purchase of a portfolio of non-performing loans from Piraeus Bank. Anna Manda leads the team.

KLC Law Firm 'has a very good knowledge of EU and Greek competition law, and tremendous experience'. The 'very experienced' team head Vassilis Karayiannis is always 'personally involved in the cases entrusted to him and always very available'. The firm has been active advising on EU law issues linked to major infrastructure projects and has also been advising HRADF on issues linked to its sale of Hellenic Petroleum.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos Law Firm has a highly-effective team well-versed in merger control, state aid and public procurement issues. A major highlight was successfully defending Estée Lauder against a €5.4m HCC fine, which the Administrative Court of Appeal overturned in June 2018. Other recent clients include Gambro, Minoan Lines and Merck. Anastasia Dritsa leads the practice.

Lambadarios Law Firm is praised for its 'first-rate knowledge of both the domestic and EU case law' as well as its 'excellent handling of hearings at the Competition Authority'. Managing partner Constantinos Lambadarios is credited for his 'efficient management, particularly in difficult and complicated cases'. The firm is currently representing Athenian Brewery over a major fine imposed by the HCC. Other clients include Goodyear Tires, Petropoulos and Linde.

Nikolinakos & Partners Law Firm is 'one of the leading players in competition law consulting and litigation, abuse of dominance and cartel matters, mainly in highly regulated industries'. Managing partner Nikos Nikolinakos is 'a very experienced competition law litigator', while the 'efficient and reliable' Dina Kouvelou 'has great experience litigating before regulatory authorities'. The firm successfully appealed a decision by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority on behalf of Vodafone, concerning alleged competition law violations by OTE.

Zepos & Yannopoulos is well-respected in the market for its 'great knowledge of EU regulations' and handles all aspects of competition law at domestic and European levels. Emmanuel Mastromanolis' team, which also includes Stefanos Charaktiniotis, has been involved in several significant cases in the power, food, brewing, and manufacturing sectors.

Stavropoulos & Partners has a broad range of expertise, which includes advice on horizontal and vertical agreements, abuse of dominance and merger control. Clients include LVMH, Athenian Brewery and FrieslandCampina. Evanthia Tsiri and Ioannis Stavropoulos are both experienced in this area.

Your Legal Partners has strong expertise in competition matters, both domestically and at a European level. This includes merger control work, as well as more contentious matters. Maria Golfinopoulou has a good track record.

A. & K. Metaxopoulos & Partners Law Firm has recently been involved in several abuse of dominance claims, and advised Digital Press Hellas on a dispute with a technology company that went before the HCC and is now in the Administrative Appeals Court. Kriton Metaxopoulos is recommended.

Hadjiprodromou - Triantaphillou & Partners is recommended for its competition expertise, where it regularly handles filings and contentious claims. John Hadjiprodromou has a good reputation.

Rokas Law Firm is 'very well-positioned in the market on EU issues'. The firm has several partners with experience in this area, such as Antonios Roussos and the 'very good' Harris Synodinos.

Sarantitis has been involved in several transactions requiring competition advice, such as advising HIG Capital on competition concerns regarding its acquisition of Selonda and Nireus Aquaculture. Terina Raptis leads the team.

VAINANIDIS ECONOMOU & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM's competition practice is led by the 'very efficient and to-the-point' Aida Economou. The firm has recently secured successes for clients in the motor, pharmaceutical and construction industry in HCC cases.