BGI Legal > Tbilisi, Georgia > Firm Profile
BGI Legal Offices

18 RUSTAVELI AVENUE, II FLOOR
0108 TBILISI
Georgia
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BGI Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings
Georgia > Banking and finance Tier 1
The banking and finance team at BGI Legal assists large domestic banks, international financial institutions and investment funds with a range of high-value transactions including the issuance of bonds, the financing of large-scale infrastructure projects and regulatory capital deals. Founding partner Lasha Gogiberidze heads the team alongside Unana Gogokhia; both are highly experienced in project finance and capital markets. Sandro Bibilashvili is also recommended for his work with IFIs on various energy projects.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Korea Water Resources Corporation
IFC
EBRD
ADB
FMO
DEG
BSTDB
China Development Bank
EFSE
Green for Growth Fund
Global Climate Partnership Fund, ResponsAbility Investments AG
BP Georgia
MND Group NV
Marriot International
Vialis Belgium NV
4finance
Ferrero International
Flutters Entertainment plc (formerly, Paddy Power Betfair plc)
IQ option
MoneyGram
Western Union
Mastercard
AC Maritime Lending
ACT Maritime LLC
Liberty Bank
Coinbase
TBC Bank
E-Toro
Alipay
Work highlights
- Advised on the issuance and placement of $500m 2.750% notes due 2026 on the London Stock Exchange by the state of Georgia.
- Advised Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE and J.P. Morgan SE on the issuance of up to U.S. $435m 8.5% notes.
- Acted as Georgian counsel in connection with the issuance and listing of $300m 8.375 % notes by JSC Silknet on Euronext Dublin.
Georgia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
Praised for its ‘understanding of both Georgian legislation and international practices’, BGI Legal remains a key player in high-value multi-jurisdictional transactions, advising a diverse range of domestic and international corporate clients from sectors including energy, technology and telecoms. The practice has expertise on a wide range of commercial and corporate matters, including numerous corporate restructurings and the drafting of complex shareholder agreements. Lasha Gogiberidze and Zaza Bibilashvili lead the department, with the former highly experienced in project finance. Sandro Bibilashvili is well-versed in the financing of energy infrastructure projects. Tamara Tevdoradze and Unana Gogokhia are also noted.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Tamara Tevdoradze was available late into the evening and happy to take on the role of an extended team member if required. Her contribution was essential to getting a deal over the line in the required timeline. She also provided invaluable practical insights into local law matters.’
‘In two years of operating in Georgia we have obtained legal services in corporate and M&A matters from a few local firms. BGI stands out for effectively providing high quality legal services, demonstrating compliance with methods, and business ethics comparable to its peers in Europe and North America.’
‘Tamara Tevdoradze is highly recommended for being experienced, effective and responsive. She communicates and works in fluent English (in addition to Georgian and Russian).’
‘BGI Legal is the legal counsel we can rely on. Most importantly, they can undertake a variety of tasks – they are very flexible and put a lot of effort into complying with our requests and pinpointing the important details.’
‘Our matters were handled by associates and partners as well. They were precise and on point. The most valuable point is that they can work on matters that require the understanding of both Georgian legislation and international practices.’
Key clients
Korea Water Resources Corporation
Airbnb Ireland UC
Apple Inc
Facebook/ Meta Platforms Inc.
BP Georgia
MND Group NV
Marriot International
Vialis Belgium NV
CT Park
Embassies of Great Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, Hungary and Poland in Georgia
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
IHI Corporation
Ferrero International
Flutter Entertainment Plc (formerly, Paddy Power Betfair PLC)
Johnson & Johnson
International Committee of Red Cross; |International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
YUM Restaurants Russia LLC (KFC)
Kempinski
JVG Vastgoed Groep BV
Voith GmbH
Iveco S.p.A
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. – TEPCO
Ninotsminda Oil Company
SOCAR Midstream Operations
Georgia > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Praised for ‘providing strong commercial and legal advice’, the team at BGI Legal are active in local and international arbitration, insolvency proceeding and divorce litigation, in which the firm handled the largest case ever heard in Georgia. The practice also has a strong focus on IP and has represented blue-chip multinational corporations in several high-profile disputes in this sector. Experienced litigators Zaza Bibilashvili , Sandro Bibilashvili , ‘very detail-oriented’ and Giorgi Sarajishvili head the team. Davit Kakoishvili is also recommended for his experience in white-collar crime and extradition cases.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Davit Kakoishvili; Ani Khojelani; Lika Topuria
Testimonials
‘What I like the most at BGI is that I am always certain that the case is studied in full detail and taken very seriously. During the court proceedings, they are very competitive. I fully trust them to lead the case. At BGI you don’t have false expectations.’
‘Vasil (Sandro) Bibilashvili is distinctively intelligent and smart. He is very detail-oriented, sees the full picture and analyzes the case from various perspectives.’
‘Giorgi Sarajishvili has great experience and knowledge. He is also very combative in court.’
‘The BGI Legal team was very knowledgeable about local customs and practices, providing strong commercial and legal advice. They were very familiar with international arbitration and responsive to work with.’
Key clients
Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia
East-West United Bank & Sistema Holding
Rustavi 2
Carlsberg
Scotch Whisky Association
AgriUni
Mey Alkollu
Skoda Praha a.s.
Wilhelmsen Georgia
Penumbra.Inc
JSC Nenskra Hydro
Corner Banca
Sinohydro
Abbey Asset Management
Discovery Networks
BASF
VEON
British Petroleum (BP) Georgia
Stichting iFund
Apple
Vialis Belgium NV
Ferrero
McDonald’s Georgia
MND Group NV
Pimeks Georgia
Park Gate
JSC Heritage Securities
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Ilia State University
Air Lease Corporation
Spairliners
TBC Bank
Lavazza
Upton Trade & Globe AG
Work highlights
- Represented ADB in a precedent-setting case where the Georgian court recognized the immunity of ADB from legal process in Georgia. |
- Represented Ferrero in a complex trademark registration case based on ‘distinctiveness acquired through use’.
- Represented Facebook in a case that established a precedent in which it is possible to cancel a domain name containing another party’s trademark.
Georgia > Real estate and construction (and projects) Tier 1
The significant transactional expertise at BGI Legal enables the firm to advise major developers, numerous foreign embassies and commercial clients on matters including real estate acquisitions, lease arrangements and foreign ownership rights. Headed by Zaza Bibilashvili and Tamara Tevdoradze, the practice regularly handles large scale infrastructure and energy projects for clients from, among others, the oil and gas, renewable energy and agriculture sector. Founding partner Lasha Gogiberidze is recommended for his real estate M&A expertise. Sandro Bibilashvili and Unana Gogokhia are noted for their experience in hydropower projects and local housing project financings respectively.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Lasha Gogiberidze; Sandro Bibilashvili; Unana Gogokhia; Sopho Natroshvili;
Key clients
IFC
EBRD
ADB
FMO
DEG
Korea Water Resources Corporation
Embassy of Great Britain
Embassy of Poland
ECON Pöyry
BP Georgia
SOCAR Midstream Operations
CT Park
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors bv
Marriott International
TEPCO
World Experience Georgia
Anaklia City
Sarnia Holding & Finance BV
Ferrero International
Diplomat Georgia
MND Group NV
Yeniguin Construction Industry &Comm. Inc
Sheraton
IHI Corporation
JVG Vastgoed Groep BV
CEFC
Homeowners’ association of Park Gate
Mowat Georgia
Ninotsminda Oil Company
Goldcept Resources Ltd
JSC Nenskra Hydro
Dutch House Orbeti, LLC
Ilia State University
Work highlights
- Advised BP on the acquisition of land rights for three pipeline projects transporting oil and gas from the Caspian through Georgia to Turkey and onwards.
- Advised a Dutch-based investor in a multimillion real estate development project in the heart of the historic Tbilisi District.
- Advised Ferrero on the acquisition of farmland and other real estate related matters in Georgia.
BGI Legal > Firm Profile
The firm: BGI Legal was founded in 2005 by senior partners Zaza Bibilashvili and Lasha Gogiberidze. The founding of BGI followed Ernst & Young’s global decision to exit from the legal service market. BGI is a successor to GCG Law Office (member of the Anderson Legal network at the time) and shares the legacy of EY Law Tbilisi. Since foundation BGI has almost doubled in size.
BGI’s lawyers have taken a lead role in almost every major transaction to take place in Georgia over the last two decades. Its experience of recognised market leaders puts it in a unique position to assist clients by effectively synergising international experience with peculiarities of the local business environment. It represents major foreign investors and lending institutions, real estate and infrastructure developers, national companies, joint ventures, diplomatic missions and international organisations.
It continues to be the referral firm of choice for most international law firms operating in Georgia, regularly undertaking mandates on behalf of Baker & McKenzie, Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, White & Case, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose Fulbright and other global giants.
Its practice offers unparalleled diversity and breadth in its ability to guide clients in the increasingly challenging environment of Georgia’s fast-paced economic and legal development.
Almost all of of its attorneys have advanced law degrees from US and European law schools and are well-versed in the tradition of western law practices, while two of its partners are also licensed to practise in the State of New York.
Areas of practice: BGI Legal is recognised as Georgia’s leading independent full-service law firm, offering clients the full range of legal and professional services.
It holds the record, in so far as the number of deals involving capital markets with Georgian assets are concerned; no one has more deals on this front, neither from those that went public nor those handled through private placement.
A couple of years ago the firm had the largest single date closings that any local law firm has ever been involved within the history of Georgia, with two transactions simultaneously closing on the same day with the total dollar value of US$ 750 m.
In the energy sector, BGI has had the privilege to be involved in most of the major energy and infrastructure projects in Georgia during the last two decades, starting from the most important project in the recent history of Georgia – oil and gas pipelines operated by BP, transporting Caspian oil and gas from the Caspian region through Georgia to Europe. Other notable projects BGI has worked on without limitations include: Tbilisi International Airport, Batumi LPG Terminal, Poti Port, Shuakhevi HPP, Nenskra HPP & Namakhvani HPP projects, etc.
It has advised numerous clients on the establishment of joint ventures with private and public sector counterparts, including advice on the selection of corporate vehicles, the drafting and negotiation of complex shareholder agreements and corporate charters and legal due diligence on domestic partners and target companies. Following incorporation, its service offerings range from employment and leasing to sales, distribution, and franchise agreements.
During 2017, BGI enriched the firm’s portfolio with several historic achievements, setting international legal precedents and establishing national/international case law. In particular, representing interests of Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia it has recently prevailed in a matter of recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award. This Supreme Court decision will serve as a guideline for practitioners and increase the level of certainty for parties seeking enforcement of arbitration awards in Georgia.
It represented Georgia’s former Prime Minister Ivane Merabishvili. The Grand Chamber of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered a landmark judgment on 28 November 2017 ruling that Georgia had violated Articles 5.3 and 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to the former Prime Minister. This was the first case ever where violation of Article 18 was established by the Grand Chamber of ECHR.
BGI also acted for the owners of the largest and the most popular private broadcasting company in Georgia, Rustavi 2. After Georgian courts ruled to deprive the current owners of their shares in the company, ECHR suspended the enforcement of the decision of the Supreme Court of Georgia. This was the first ever case in the ECHR’s 60-year history when such a remedy was used in a civil case.
IP law has been an increasingly dynamic practice area in recent years. BGI set major national precedents by registering a trade mark based on ‘distinctiveness acquired through use’ and cancelling a domain name where it contains another party’s trade mark on behalf of multinational confectionery giant Ferrero and Facebook, respectively.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking, securities and capital markets | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Banking, securities and capital markets | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Banking, securities and capital markets | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Project and trade finance | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Project and trade finance | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Project and trade finance | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Energy and infrastructure | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Energy and infrastructure | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Energy and infrastructure | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Privatisation and government relations | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Privatisation and government relations | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Corporate structuring, M&A and joint ventures | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Corporate structuring, M&A and joint ventures | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Corporate structuring, M&A and joint ventures | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Real estate and construction | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Real estate and construction | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
IP | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
IP | Giorgi Sarajishvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Telecommunications, media and information technologies | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Telecommunications, media and information technologies | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Personal data protection | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Personal data protection | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Competition law | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Competition law | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Tax and customs advice | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Tax and customs advice | Giorgi Sarajishvili | giorgi.sarajishvili@bgi.ge | |
Dispute resolution | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Dispute resolution | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Dispute resolution | Giorgi Sarajishvili | giorgi.sarajishvili@bgi.ge | |
Legislative drafting | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Legislative drafting | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Diplomatic missions | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Diplomatic missions | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Corporate registrations and incorporation | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Employment | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Criminal law and international courts | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Mr Zaza Bibilashvili | Senior Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Sandro Bibilashvili | Partner Advised IFIs in financing 434 MW cascade in the Western Georgia… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Lasha Gogiberidze | Senior Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Unana Gogokhia | Partner | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Giorgi Sarajishvili | Head of Litigation Practice • Represented the interests of foreign investors operating… | View Profile |
![]() | Tamara Tevdoradze | Partner | View Profile |