Mr Nikos Papachristopoulos > Bernitsas Law > Athens, Greece > Lawyer Profile

The ‘very experienced‘ team at Bernitsas Law provides an ‘innovative and commercial approach’ to lenders and borrowers across a broad swathe of transactional and regulatory work in the banking and capital markets sphere. Although it handles some more commoditised mandates, the team is best known for its aptitude at providing ‘solutions-oriented’ advice on complex transactions, including as it relates to work in the secondary market for non-performing loans (NPLs) and the structuring and implementation of securitisation transactions. The ‘exceptional’ Athanasia Tsene, who is lauded as a ‘true business partner’ as a result of her ability to provide ‘sharp and practical advice’, has been pivotal to the firm’s success in the NPL field, work which she combines with other, often highly structured finance transactions. Nikos Papachristopoulos has ‘extensive exposure and experience across all areas of banking, finance and capital markets’ and co-heads the team alongside Tsene. The team was strengthened at the beginning of 2024 by the arrival of fintech and payments expert Anastasia Mallerou and Pantazis Karamanolis, who adds tremendous gravitas to the practice in light of his vast in-house banking experience, from their own practices.

Advising global and domestic leaders, SMEs, and entrepreneurs from the finance, healthcare, and energy industries, the Bernitsas Law team is highly regarded for delivering the ‘highest level’ of service in relation to M&A and corporate governance issues. The practice has extensive cross-border capabilities, frequently dealing with high-profile commercial transactions in the context of foreign investment and new legislation. Based in Athens, Lambros Belessis and Nikos Papachristopoulos co-head the group, specialising in private sector mergers and capital markets matters. Experienced litigator Panayotis Bernitsas, Evi Kitsou, who focuses on company restructurings, and Iris Sotiriou are also highlighted as key members of the team.

The ‘hardworking, dedicated, and responsive’ projects team at Bernitsas Law specialises in the financing aspects of privatisations, project structuring and implementation, and the regulations governing tender procedures. Demonstrating specific industry expertise across the finance, technology and energy spheres, the practice is frequently called upon to represent Greek and international entities. Panayotis Bernitsas is an expert in major renewable and infrastructure initiatives, while Nikos Papachristopoulos focuses on take-over bids, and Dimitris Roussis is knowledgeable in public tender proceedings. Yannis Seiradakis has vast experience in acting on behalf of clients in the utilities and transport sectors.