BLC Law Office LLC > Tbilisi, Georgia > Firm Profile

BLC Law Office LLC Offices

BLC Law Office LLC
129A DAVID AGHMASHENEBELI AVENUE
TBILISI 0102
Georgia
Visit website 995 32 292 24 91 995 32 293 45 26

Profiles

BLC Law Office LLC > The Legal 500 Rankings

Georgia > Banking and finance Tier 1

BLC Law Office LLC has the strength-in-depth to handle a significant volume of transactional and regulatory mandates for both lenders and borrowers. Advising on a significant amount of conventional bank financing work, including on large-scale infrastructure projects, the team, headed by newly promoted partner Rusa Tchkuaseli, has been at the cutting-edge of domestic capital markets work, including in relation to work on the first ever gender bond issued on the Georgian Stock Exchange. It has also been at the vanguard of the developing domestic fund market and since the passing of the new law promoting the sector, has been involved in the majority of all registrations with the National Bank of Georgia. Tamta Ivanishvili is a key contact and is best-known for her equity and debt capital markets mandates on both the local and international markets.

Practice head(s):

Rusa Tchkuaseli

Other key lawyers:

Alexander Bolkvadze; Ketti Kvartskhava; Giorgi Batlidze; Tamta Ivanishvili

Key clients

Georgia Capital

International Finance Corporation

Asia Development Bank

DFC

Pace Terminals

Proparco

OFID

Gazelle Finance

Small Enterprise Assistance Fund

J.P. Morgan

FMO

TBC Capital

Small Enterprise Assistance Fund

Alpha Capital

Work highlights

  • Instructed by Cash Plus Fund to form the first virtual assets investment fund in Georgia.
  • Advised Asia Development Bank on the financing of the first ever gender bonds issued on the local Georgian stock market.
  • Acted as local counsel to a financial institution throughout the process of obtaining a digital banking license.

Georgia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

BLC Law Office LLC handles a mix of transactional and day-to-day corporate and commercial work for an impressive roster of domestic and international clients. Ketti Kvartskhava provides an excellent service to clients on significant M&A mandates, where from a due diligence perspective she adds value as a result of her broader litigation experience. As well as handling work for corporates from a range of sectors including on restructuring mandates, Tamta Ivanishvili has also developed a strong reputation within the investment management sector, including advice to funds on formation issues and ongoing corporate governance. Recently promoted to partner, Rusa Tchkuaseli heads up the M&A offering, and also has niche expertise advising clients on maritime issues.

Practice head(s):

Rusa Tchkuaseli

Other key lawyers:

Alexander Bolkvadze; Ketti Kvartskhava; Giorgi Batlidze; Tamta Ivanishvili; Lasha Uplisashvili;

Key clients

SpaceX

Philip Morris

FINCA Group

SOCAR

KBOC

Aric Group

Adjara Group

Heidelberg Cement Georgia

Wizzair

Havi Logistics

AstraZeneca

Tbilisi Hills Golf & Residence

PACE Group

Global Benefits Georgia

Work highlights

  • Provided ongoing legal support of the local subsidiary of Glovoapp EMEA S.L.U, aiding the company in local commercial transactions, corporate matters and other issues of daily importance.
  • Provided ongoing advice to H&M on local law issues associated with its Georgian operations.
  • Advised Philip Morris Georgia on various matters pertaining to its business activity in Georgia, including on employment, tobacco marketing and distribution as well as other related regulations.

Georgia > Dispute resolution Tier 1

BLC Law Office LLC has an excellent insight into procedural and overarching substantive law matters, ensuring clients receive very robust representation across a range of conventional litigation and ADR matters. Team head Ketti Kvartskhava has broad-ranging litigation experience across all levels of courts, as well as from an arbitration perspective, including as it relates to shareholder and construction disputes. Tamta Ivanishvili is also experienced at handling arbitration matters both on behalf of clients and in her role as an arbitrator in Georgia-seated arbitration proceedings. In addition, she is one of the few litigators in the country with experience in representing clients before the European Court of Human Rights. Recently promoted partner Rusa Tchkuaseli is well-versed in handling conventional litigation as well as arbitration, with a varied caseload that includes investor, state disputes and defamation disputes.

Practice head(s):

Ketti Kvartskhava

Other key lawyers:

Giorgi Batlidze; Rusa Tchkuaseli; Davit Tabatadze; Alexander Bolkvadze; Tamta Ivanishvili; Lasha Uplisashvili; Lasha Zurabiani

Key clients

Anaklia Development Consortium

Bob Meijer

Mamuka Khazaradze

Badri Japaridze

JSC Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation/LEPL State Agency of Oil and Gas of Georgia

Anagi LLC

Mtkvari HEPP

Robert Bosch

City Loft/Adjara Group

ZTE Corporation

Glovo App Georgia

Mr. Nika Gilauri

Carrefour Georgia

Tiffany and Company

Heidelberg Georgia

Work highlights

  • Advised Anaklia Development Consortium and Bob Meijer in arbitrations pending before the Arbitration Court of International Chamber of Commerce and ICSID, respectively.
  • Acted for Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation and the State Agency for Oil and Gas in arbitration proceedings relating to breaches by Frontera Resources Georgia Corporation of its obligations under its 1997 Production Sharing Agreement.
  • Represented Georgian Airlines in its high-profile insolvency case.

Georgia > Real estate and construction (and projects) Tier 1

BLC Law Office LLC is particularly adept at advising national and international developers across a range of large domestic construction and real estate projects. Since the deregulation of the energy market in 2008, the firm has been involved in many substantial projects in the space and continues to advise on a wide range of major renewable energy projects. Lasha Uplisashvil has been pivotal to the firm’s success in the sector, impressing developer clients with his ability to handle mandates throughout the life-cycle of project, from advising on land acquisition, acquiring the relevant permits and licenses, to negotiations with the relevant public authorities. Managing partner Alexander Bolkvadze co-heads the team alongside Uplisashvil and is also active in the energy space, including renewables and fossil fuels, as well as regularly handling general commercial property mandates.

Practice head(s):

Alexander Bolkvadze; Lasha Uplisashvili

Other key lawyers:

Anri Khonelidze; Rusudan Khazaradze

Key clients

Çalık Enerji

Pontus Capital

Apart Development

Anagi Development

Regus

Bakhvi 2 LLC

Work highlights

  • Advised Çalık Enerji on project development and legal framework matters relating to the development of one of the first private 50MW wind power plants in Georgia.
  • Advised Anagi Development across a range of construction and development matters.
  • Advised Gino Group on the development of various real estate projects throughout Tbilisi.

BLC Law Office LLC > Firm Profile

Based in Georgia and described by Clients as “fully comparable with the Magic Circle”, BLC is a true leader of the market practicing in virtually all areas of law. Having thorough knowledge of Georgian legislation and legal practice, as well as various key industries, lawyers of BLC are devotedly serving the interests of their clients. With 25 qualified attorneys currently employed full time with BLC and several off counsels, BLC certainly has larger capacity to handle several complicated transactions and cases at a time than most of the law-firms in Georgia. Most importantly, BLC Law Office is the only legal practice in Georgia having a branch in Batumi (the investment center of the West Georgia).

BLC is truly exceptional with the approach to the Client’s needs as well as the best possible understanding of the respective business environment. Our approach to each particular matter is to adapt to and understand the commercial, as well as policy and strategic rationale behind the relevant issue with the purpose to create value through legal advice.

Main Areas of Practice:
■ Banking & Finance, Capital Markets
■ Competition Law
■ Corporate Matters and M&A
■ Criminal Law & International Courts
■ Dispute Resolution
■ Employment Law
■ Energy & Infrastructure
■ Hospitality
■ Intellectual Property
■ Legislative Drafting
■ Personal Data Protection
■ Privatisation & Government Relations
■ Real Estate & Construction, Project Development
■ Tax & Customs Advice
■ Telecommunications, Media & Information Technologies

Key Clients:
ADB (Asia Development Bank); Adjara + (Georgia); Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co KG (Germany); Anadolu Group (Turkey); Anaklia Development Consortium (Georgia/USA); Bank Republic (Société Générale Group) (Georgia); Bauer (Germany); BNP Paribas (Switzerland); China Development Bank Corporation (China); City Loft (Georgia); CMA-CGM (France); Credit Suisse (UK); Diplomat Georgia (Georgia/Israel); Gazelle Finance (USA), Georgian Co-Investment Fund (Georgia); Georgian Healthcare Group (Georgia); Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (Georgia); GRDF (The fund managing the US Millennium Challenge Georgia funds); EBRD (International); EIB (International); Embassy of the Republic of France in Georgia; Embassy of Swiss Confederation in Georgia; Embassy of German Federal Republic in Georgia; EU Delegation in Georgia; Embassy of Brazil in Georgia; General Electric Co. (USA); JSC Georgian Railway (Georgia); Gras Savoye (France); Hewlett-Packard (USA); HSBC Bank Georgia (UK-Georgia); IBM (USA); ING Bank (Netherlands); INTERRAO UES (Russia); IFC (International); IS Bank (Turkey); Johnson & Johnson (USA); Panalpina (Switzerland); Partnership Fund of Georgia (Georgia); Pace Group (Georgia); Pave Bank (Singapore); Philip Morris (International); Premier League (Uk); Pepsi Bottlers in Georgia (Georgia/Armenia); Procredit Bank (Georgia); R. Bosch GmbH (Germany); Sayali LLC (Subsidiary of Azercon Holdings, Georgia/Azerbaijan); Sabah Group Georgia (Georgia/Azerbaijan); Sheraton Batumi (USA); Socar Petroleum (Azerbaijan); Teliani Valley (Georgia); TBC Bank (Georgia); TBC Bank Group plc. (UK); Tiffany & Co.

Staff Figures

Number of lawyers : 25
Number of partners : 6

Languages

Georgian
English
French
German
Russian

Other

Branch in Batumi : 29 Memed Abashidze Street, Batumi, Georgia
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BLC Law Office LLC > Firm Profile

BLC Law Office operates a head office in the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi and a branch in the emerging Black Sea port and city – Batumi. Operation of the branch in Batumi insures efficiency in provision of timely and cost effective legal support to its clients in all parts of Georgia.

Client Testimonials


CLIENT: GAZELLE FINANCE
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: Gazelle Finance, a global asset manager, has been working with BLC since its inception. During this time, BLC provided critical legal support during our start-up phase in the Republic of Georgia helping us to establish our subsidiary non-banking financial institution and draft our transaction documents. BLC has a very strong multi-lingual team who can work seamlessly between the Georgian and international legal worlds. We outsource most of our legal work in Georgia and are always confident that BLC is working in our best interests as our trusted partner.

CLIENT: JSC Georgia Healthcare Group
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: Our Group appreciates all those services that BLC, as our partner, provides to us. Their work and attitude is always flawless, timely and professional. We always feel safe when having BLC team on our transactions. BLC truly is a tremendous company with amazing and dedicated team.

CLIENT: BLOCK ENERGY PLC.
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: Block Energy have been using BLC for over 2 years now. The service provided by the team is excellent and their ability to problem solve is exceptional. A professional well rounded firm, who work efficiently and effectively.

CLIENT: ADJARA GROUP
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: BLC Law Office is a long time partner of Adjara Group, holding company operating in hospitality and agriculture sector. As the client, we enjoy BLC Law Office’s constant helpful involvement, its deep understanding of laws and its pragmatic, solution oriented and diligent advice, always issued in prompt and efficient manner. They have great eye on strategic issues and their advice is always tailored to the specificities and dynamics of the particular case.

CLIENT: Export-Import Bank of the Slovak Republic
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: BLC lawyers are always to the point and very reliable. We appreciate their advice which is based on a thorough understanding of the Georgian law.

CLIENT: TBILISI HILLS RESIDENCES LLC
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: They are solution-oriented, knowledgeable and reliable people. BLC is always up to speed on recent developments in the country and are super comfortable to work with, even during late hours. They understand the needs of the client and try to put the law on client’s side.

CLIENT: ANAKLIA DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: BLC is always delivering a very high standard of service and expertise. Its team members are always very responsive, strong and business-oriented professionals.

CLIENT: WINGS & FREEMAN CAPITAL LLC
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: BLC is a team of highly professional enterprising lawyers. We had a pleasure of engaging BLC as the local legal counsel for several projects financed by DEG and OPIC (now DFC) in Georgia. The most challenging projects such as American Hospital Tbilisi and Pace Terminal in Poti Port (so-called, critical infrastructure projects) deserve special attention, because of the legal complexity associated with them. We cannot emphasize enough the strong work ethic and the degree of professionalism of BLC team brought about throughout the project implementation. BLC has done its best to facilitate the resolution of multiple legal issues and to ensure the effective project flow over various project stages. Overall, our experience with BLC is excellent and we would highly recommend them.

CLIENT: TBC CAPITAL
COMPANY/FIRM: BLC LAW OFFICE
TESTIMONIAL: We have been working with BLC for many year already and their expertise, knowledge, attention to details and ability to deliver good results has been consistent and top notch. I will continue working with BLC law going forward and recommend them to our partners/clients.

Notable Cases


  • Assisting Pave Bank, first digital bank engaged in programable banking, in obtaining its banking license in Georgia;
  • Assisting MyCoins in registering the very first Virtual Assets Service Provider with the National Bank of Georgia;
  • Acting for the consortium of international financial institutions like ADB, FMO, Proparco and IFC to finance Georgian Renewable Project Operation Company – the first green bond issuance in the amount of USD 80 million at the Georgian Stock Exchange;
  • As part of technical assistance rendered by the USAID Economic Governance Program, BLC drafted the legislative package for introducing the concept of trust in Georgia, as well as the new Securitization Law;
  • BLC has handled the registrations of absolute majority of investment funds operating in Georgia, including the first real estate fund (Elysium Asset Management) and the first crypto fund (Cash Plus Capital);
  • Advising Pace Group, group of companies operating seaport terminal facilities in Poti, in obtaining finance from DFC, as well as other key matters like structuring the relationship with APM Terminals, which operates the Poti Sea Port and Georgia Railways;
  • BLC acts as a counsel on Georgian law in the pending international commercial arbitration between Anaklia Development Consortium and the Government of Georgia (ICC arbitration seated in Geneva); BLC, together with Baker & McKenzie, represents Bob Meijer (Dutch investor) in an ICSID arbitration against Georgia;
  • BLC acts as a legal counsel of different local and foreign developers of renewable energy projects in Georgia. Involved in developing of Namakhvani HPP, Shuakhevi HPP, Dariali HPP, Paravani HPP, Mtkvari HPP, Tekhuri HPP, Khelvachauri 1 HPP, Kirnati HPP, Nigoza WPP and many other small and medium power plants, BLC has been named as the standalone leader at the energy legal market of Georgia;
  • Being the largest real estate and construction market after Tbilisi, BLC has opened its branch in Batumi and assisted our clients in developing of the real estate, construction and hospitality projects such as Sheraton Batumi, Hilton Kobuleti, Semiramida Gardens Hotel, Babillon Tower, Batumi International Bus Terminal, Atlas Residence, Casino & Hotel, Welmond Hotel and Casino, Dreamland Oasis (hotel and residential complex, Golden Palace Hotel and Casino, Mandarin Batumi Project, Batumi Palm Hotel and Residential Complex, Geverse Development, Realm Holdings and many others.