Sophie Panjikidze > Gvinadze & Partners LLC > Tbilisi, Georgia > Lawyer Profile

Under the guidance of Nick Gvinadze, Gvinadze & Partners LLC has developed strong ties with global financial institutions and international law firm referrers, ensuring that it has strong market visibility across a range of transactional and regulatory matters. A significant volume of these instructions flow from IFIs, including on its financing in relation to the ongoing development, construction and operation of a wind power plant in Georgia. Sophie Panjikidze regularly assists Gvinadze on key finance transactions and regulatory matters, including recent work for American Express on Georgian regulations related to payment systems and payment services applicable to their operations in the Georgian market.

Under the leadership of Nick Gvinadze, Gvinadze & Partners LLC provides robust representation of clients from a range of industry sectors, including aviation, construction and energy, across the spectrum of commercial, employment, IP and debt recovery. Drawing upon strong relationships with many well-known international law firms, the team is particularly accomplished at handling cross-border matters with a nexus to Georgia. Gvinadze himself is adept at handling conventional litigation as well as arbitration, including on construction and FIDIC-related matters. As part of his broad litigation expertise, which spans construction and land permitting, through to tax disputes, Zakaria Shvelidze regularly advises on labour law matters. Sophie Panjikidze is also recommended.

Under the leadership of the vastly experienced Nick Gvinadze, Gvinadze & Partners LLC is particularly effective advising international stakeholders engaged in a myriad of major commercial real estate, energy and infrastructure projects. In this context, clients benefit from a deep knowledge of the nuances of Georgian law, but with advice which is delivered with a core understanding of international legal and commercial standards. Although the team is also abreast of renewables work, it continues to advise on a number of major oil and gas projects, including its role as exclusive Georgian counsel to SOCAR Midstream Operations on all aspects of their extensive activities related to the operation of the biggest gas pipeline transiting Georgia (the South Caucasus Pipeline). Sophie Panjikidze and Zakaria Shvelidze are also recommended.

Leveraging strong longstanding relationships with international corporates and banks, and also drawing upon excellent ties with a raft of large global law firms, Gvinadze & Partners LLC excels at handling the Georgian aspects of cross-border M&A and advice relating to businesses operating and expanding in the jurisdiction. Team head and founding partner Nick Gvinadze draws upon vast institutional knowledge gleaned from his many years practising law in the country, marrying deep local expertise with an international mindset. Sophie Panjikidze is also noted for her diverse skillset, which encompasses a myriad of corporate and commercial matters, including due diligence, employment, competition and IP issues. The arrival in February 2023 of senior counsel Lesley Rogers further enhances the team’s capabilities.