Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC > Athens, Greece > Firm Profile
Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC Offices
5 ZALOCOSTA STREET
ATHENS 10671
Greece
Michael Kyprianou & Co. LLC > Firm Profile
The firm: Founded in 1991 in Nicosia, Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC has grown over the years to become one of the leading law firms in Cyprus, with offices in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos. In addition, the firm has developed internationally over the years and currently counts ten offices in eight countries – Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos in Cyprus, Athens in Greece, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Kiev in Ukraine, Birkikara in Malta, London in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt in Germany, and most recently Tel Aviv in Israel. Across its offices, the firm employs over 115 people, 60 of whom are qualified lawyers.
It is the firm of choice in Cyprus for many major international law firms based in London, Europe and Russia and, over the years, the firm has acted in a large number of complex cross-border projects. The quality of its lawyers, its size and its international affiliations enable it to produce excellent results on a consistent basis.
Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC has been awarded the 2014 and 2017 Cyprus Export Award by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, for services provided to international clients.
Areas of practice
Banking and finance: it is recognised as a leading adviser of banks, financial institutions, borrowers and security providers in multi-jurisdictional as well as domestic financing transactions involving Cypriot vehicles. Among others, the team specialises in international leveraged finance, asset and project finance, financial restructuring, security enforcement and distressed debt.
Corporate and commercial: it has extensive experience across the spectrum of corporate, mergers and acquisitions law. The work undertaken includes the incorporation and acquisition of Cypriot and offshore companies, corporate reorganisations and restructuring, cross-border and domestic mergers, corporate governance issues, joint ventures and re-domiciliation.
Dispute resolution and arbitration: it advises clients on all aspects of corporate and commercial disputes and has extensive experience in cross-border litigation.
International tax planning: the firm’s tax experts provide advice on tax structures, holding companies and trust settlements in Cyprus and abroad. They also represent clients before the tax authorities and negotiate tax disputes on their behalf.
Capital markets: it specialises in the incorporation, setting up and assistance in the regulation of Cypriot investment firms and in compliance matters. It also assists investors in relation to the formation, licensing and regulation of funds such as closed-ended funds, mutual funds, UCITS, alternative investment funds and the respective set up and assistance in their management and control.
Intellectual property: it specialises in all aspects of IP, including the filing of national applications for Cyprus trade marks and patents, as well as European and international applications.
Immovable property: it assists clients in all matters regarding Cyprus immovable property law and represents clients before the land registry, the tax authorities and the stamp duty authority. It provides legal advice in all aspects of a Cyprus property purchase up until the closing of the transaction.
Immigration law: it assists clients in all aspects of Cypriot immigration law and, in particular, Cypriot citizenship applications, Cyprus permanent residence, employment permits, visitor permits, Cypriot visas, registration of companies with foreign activities with the migration department to employ third-country nationals and other relevant permits.
Energy, shipping and transport: it provides legal advice and assistance on a wide range of matters relating to the shipping industry. The team’s experience includes advising on and negotiating transactions and issuing legal opinions on a range of ship financing transactions, guarantees, securities and other documentation. The firm also undertakes the registration and deletion of ship mortgages at the Cyprus Ships Registry and other securities registered with the Registrar of Companies in Cyprus. The firm further provides advice and assistance in relation to vessel registration under the Cyprus flag and the chartering, sale and purchase of ships as well as the financing of these activities.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Dispute Resolution and Arbitration | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Dispute Resolution and Arbitration | Dimitris Kotsionis | dimitris.kotsionis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Corporate and Commercial | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Corporate and Commercial | Chrystalla Philippou | chrystalla.philippou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Corporate and Commercial | Andrea Karageorgi | andrea.karageorgi@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Corporate and Commercial | Konstantinos Papailiou | konstantinos.papailiou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Corporate and Commercial | Rafaela Vasileiadou | rafaela.vasileiadou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Banking and Finance | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Banking and Finance | Chrystalla Philippou | chrystalla.philippou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Banking and Finance | Dimitris Kotsionis | dimitris.kotsionis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
International Tax Planning | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
International Tax Planning | Chrystalla Philippou | chrystalla.philippou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Data Protection and Privacy | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Data Protection and Privacy | Dimitris Kotsionis | dimitris.kotsionis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Data Protection and Privacy | Konstantinos Papailiou | konstantinos.papailiou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Intellectual Property | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Fraud and White-Collar Crime | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Immovable Property Law | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Immovable Property Law | Dimitris Kotsionis | dimitris.kotsionis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
European and Competition Law | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
European and Competition Law | Dimitris Kotsionis | dimitris.kotsionis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
European and Competition Law | Konstantinos Papailiou | konstantinos.papailiou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
European and Competition Law | Chrystalla Philippou | chrystalla.philippou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Immigration Law | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Immigration Law | Dimitris Kotsionis | dimitris.kotsionis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Immigration Law | Chrystalla Philippou | chrystalla.philippou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Intellectual Property | Ilias Tsintavis | ilias.tsintavis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Intellectual Property | Dimitris Kotsionis | dimitris.kotsionis@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Intellectual Property | Konstantinos Papailiou | konstantinos.papailiou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Dispute Resolution and Arbitration | Maria-Fanouria Papantonaki | fanouria.papantonaki@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Immovable Property Law | Maria-Fanouria Papantonaki | fanouria.papantonaki@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Fraud and White-Collar Crime | Maria-Fanouria Papantonaki | fanouria.papantonaki@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Dispute Resolution and Arbitration | Rafaela Vasileiadou | rafaela.vasileiadou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
European and Competition Law | Rafaela Vasileiadou | rafaela.vasileiadou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Intellectual Property | Rafaela Vasileiadou | rafaela.vasileiadou@kyprianou.com | +30 210 3387060 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Andrea Karageorgi | Associate | View Profile | |
Mr Dimitris Kotsionis | Associate | View Profile | |
Mr Konstantinos Papailiou | Associate | View Profile | |
Ms Maria-Fanouria Papantonaki | Associate | View Profile | |
Ms Chrystalla Philippou | Senior Associate | View Profile | |
Mr Ilias Tsintavis | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Rafaela Vasileiadou | Associate | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of Lawyers : 59 Number of Lawyers in Athens : 7Languages
English Greek German SwedishMemberships
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Ilias Tsintavis, Partner
What do you see as the main points that differentiate MICHAEL KYPRIANOU & CO. LLC from your competitors?
We are an international law firm with offices in Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Ukraine and representative offices in London & UAE. Moreover, we maintain very close relations with the leading international law firms globally. As a result, having full legal capability in the above four countries, we are able to offer accurate, time sensitive advice in the shortest possible time, whilst we are in the position to understand and address the individualities and complexities involved when dealing with cross-jurisdictional issues. Specifically, when it comes to Greece, Cyprus and Malta we are truly the only law firm with such capability. And most commonly, we do work with other Greek law firms in a cooperative way, rather than in a competitive way.
Additionally, our team is skilled at understanding the intricacies of the industries in which our clients operate and, as a result, we are trusted by a large number of organisations with providing legal support in relation to all their commercial and corporate matters on an ongoing basis. The diversity of the matters that we handle, from corporate restructurings and M&A to industry specific regulatory issues relating to our clients’ industry or sector (e.g. funds, banking, financial services, investments) is what differentiate Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC from the competitors.
The leading international law firms that refer work to us on a repetitive basis and the longstanding clients who trust our firm consistently with their corporate/commercial matters is the safest indication that can be regarding the quality of the services of our law firm.
Moreover, our litigation / dispute resolution & arbitration department focuses on high value commercial disputes of an international nature. Our success rate in the cases that we handle and the very positive feedback that we receive from our clients is evidence that our firm stands as a beacon of excellence.
Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?
The legal practice areas that will grow in 2024 are corporate / commercial law, real estate and property law, private client and tax law.
What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?
Our main change is the boosting of our human resources, adding to the team persons with expertise in certain fields and developing our current team. This of course comes on top of our investment in working premises and the availability of technology.
Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?
Acknowledging that technology plays a major role in any business sector, the firm has access to advanced information technology infrastructure, granting our lawyers and support staff all the tools and services that enable faster information and data processing, real-time collaboration, and above all, robust information security measures. Digital accessibility has improved how we manage and share documentation with clients. We can securely store project-related documents, granting clients easy access and reducing delays caused by back-and-forth email exchanges. The advanced security features provide peace of mind to our clients. Multi-factor authentication, encrypted communication, and regular security updates ensure that our clients’ sensitive data remains protected.
Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?
Being a good lawyer is more about knowing the law. It is about deeply understanding the law so as to enable the client to maximize their output from the application of the law. One such practical example was the optimization of the financial operations of a leading company involved in providing services to the pharmaceutical industry. Via the deep understanding of the intricacies of the law and the optimized application of the appropriate provisions into the business structure of the company, we were able to obtain significant savings in areas where previously, due to poor financing structuring, there was a significant leakage of resources. This is just one of many. We have also significantly assisted a multinational organization in optimizing financing transactions so as to maximize their output in relation to a $400million transaction. And a much smaller one that fits the profile. We have advised a new private museum to establish itself in an area (video gaming), in full compliance with the law, where it was always believed (erroneously) that this was not permitted. Concluding, I would simply like to add that on top of deep understanding of the law, it is important to maintain relations with the regulatory authorities based on integrity, respect and proficiency. And have worked very hard to achieve this.
Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?
Indeed, clients do very much look for both from the law firms. Especially in our position, where our international element provides a wider insight than normal. Legal certainty and foreseeability of the legal outcome of corporate actions is paramount for corporate clients. When we look at the international aspects of such actions, then inherent certainty provided by general counsels is naturally reduced and this is where we are well placed to assist, by bridging the jurisdictional gap. Moreover, a law firm with international presence can give insight in how things are regulated in other jurisdictions and how processes may have been optimized elsewhere. And from the feedback of our clients, we can note that they do find this knowledge and awareness to be very useful in relation to strategic direction planning, even in business structuring.
Over the next three years we are deploying an investment plan in our office premises, which are all fully owned. Moreover, we are investing into legal talent, both from Greece and abroad. As a result, we do hope and expect to be in a position to be able to properly and promptly address a significantly higher volume of clients, moving to an extent from the niche advisory and private client / large business operation that we operate now to include some middle size business clients as well.
- Dispute resolution