Firm Profile > Dimitrov, Petrov & Co > Sofia, Bulgaria

Dispute resolution Tier 1

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co’s ‘highly experienced, skillful and creative’ disputes resolution practice has a key strength in complex proceedings related to regulations, acting for major clients in the telecommunications and media, energy, banking and pharmaceutical sectors against administrative and regulatory bodies. It acts for individuals and private-sector clients in commercial disputes related to breaches of contract, non-payment of receivables, intellectual property matters, and shareholders disputes. Other core strengths of the firm are litigations related to public procurement proceedings and competition law cases, on behalf of both claimants and defendants. The ‘impeccable’ Metodi Baykushev leads the team, with the ‘exceptional’ Pencho Stanchev also valued by clients.

EU and competition Tier 1

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co's EU and competition practice has a strong track record in successfully appealing fines and sanctions imposed for cartel activity, unfair competition through trade mark infringement, state aid cases, and abuse of dominance. The firm also provides ongoing compliance advice to major clients in the pharmaceutical, tech and retail sectors regarding marketing, distribution agreements, and acquisitions. Zoya Todorova, who also leads the firm’s corporate and commercial practice, leads the team. Key lawyers include Donka Stoyanova, praised for her ‘attention to detail’, and Radina Tomanova, who advises on prohibited agreements and vertical agreements. Clients include Google and Pfizer.

Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co handles complex regulatory and compliance matters for clients in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. The ‘dedicated’ team advises on Bulgarian price regulations and reimbursement procedures through the National Health Insurance Fund, clinical trial compliance, intellectual property and patent issues, competition and antitrust matters, and data protection and privacy. As well as advising major established players including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Eli Lilly, the firm has acted for market newcomers and clients at the cutting edge of medical technology and services, including a DNA diagnostic lab, e-health platforms, and manufacturers of new medical technologies. Practice head Bilyana Angelova  is well versed in contentious matters. Partner Zoya Todorova is an expert in pharmaceutical regulation. Senior associate Encho Simeonov and associate Alexandra Lassina are also noted.

Intellectual property Tier 1

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co supports companies in managing their trade mark portfolios, assisting clients in the pharmaceutical, food production, IT, gambling and retail industries. The team assists on identifying conflicting trade marks, and defending clients’ trade marks in opposition, cancellation and infringement proceedings. The team is led by Bilyana Angelova, who also heads the healthcare and life sciences practice group and whose expertise in IP matters covers patents, trade marks and franchise agreements. Software licencing is another key strength of the firm; it advises major clients in the IT sector, including Google, on copyright and licensing issues, and drafts  bespoke master services agreements for software companies and electronic payment services. Alexandra Lassina is a name to note.

Real estate and construction Tier 1

TMT Tier 1

'In a league of its own',  Dimitrov, Petrov & Co has broad strength in this field and acts for market-leading clients. It advises on the regulatory, commercial and IP aspects of acquisitions as well as contentious matters. Prof Dr George Dimitrov, who jointly leads the practice, has extensive regulatory experience, having played a significant role in drafting Bulgaria’s TMT and IT legislation. Desislava Krusteva and Hristo Nihrizov also jointly lead the practice, and are experts in data protection and payment services, respectively. Nikola Stoychev is another name to note.

Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

The banking and finance team at Dimitrov, Petrov & Co, which is led by the ‘impressive’ Hristo Nihrizov, principally advises on regulatory matters for high-profile clients. In 2018, the firm provided full legal assistance with setting up one of the first alternative funds for collective investment in Bulgaria and acted for clients on obtaining full-scope investment licences under MiFID II rules. The team also acts for borrowers on debt and credit restructurings as well as representing clients in proceedings brought by the Financial Supervision Commission. Pencho Stanchev, who ‘stands out’ for his ‘skills, accuracy, sharp mind and style’ is a key member of the team, and Boyana Milcheva (head of the real estate and construction practice) assists with matters related to project and real estate finance.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The ‘exceptional team of professionals’ at Dimitrov, Petrov & Co are highly regarded by for their ‘ability to cover a wide range of areas’ and so provide ongoing and day-to-day strategic, transactional and regulatory advice across a broad spectrum of economic sectors. In 2019, the firm advised on mergers and acquisitions for clients in the IT, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors. Zoya Todorova, a ‘brilliant lawyer’, leads the team, assisted by partner Boyana Milcheva, ‘whose expertise spans through corporate, commercial, employment, tax and real estate law’. Associate Radina Tomanova is ‘dedicated’.

Projects and PPP Tier 2

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co  provides advice on projects in the telecommunications, manufacturing, mining, real estate, and energy industries. The firm is experienced in assisting international clients with entry into the Bulgarian market. Public procurement is another strength; the team has advised on the Sofia Airport Concession, as well as clients participating in bids for railway construction and the supply of vehicles to the government. Joint practice heads Boyana Milcheva and Metodi Baykushev offer experience in real estate matters, and public procurement litigation proceedings, respectively.

Transport (including shipping) Tier 2

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co’s transport practice acts for domestic and international freight and shipping services. The team drafts contracts, prepares consignment notices, and ensures compliance with environmental regulations. The firm also advises logistics clients on employment issues and assists with debt collection. Another key focus is transport infrastructure; the team advised Manchester Airport Group on its participation in the bid to operate Sofia Airport, and acted for the airport in abuse of dominance proceedings before the CPC. Practice head Donka Stoyanova focuses on air transport and airport operations and services, while associate Tsvetelina Georgieva acts in disputes.

Energy and natural resources Tier 3

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co covers regulatory and contractual issues, including acting on contentious matters, for major renewable energy companies, including Alpiq and Windkraft Simonsfeld. The firm has experience of drafting commercial contracts regarding electricity grid connection and has assisted energy traders in obtaining licences to trade on the Ibex marketplace. Bogdan Petrov is highly experienced in regulatory matters and the 'talented' Zoya Todorova handles the firm’s transactional and contractual work. Senior associate Pencho Stanchev is 'very successful in litigation' according to one client.