Watson Farley & Williams – Greek Branch > Athens, Greece > Firm Profile

Watson Farley & Williams – Greek Branch
5th Floor, Building B
348, Leof. Andrea Siggrou
Athina 176 74
Greece

Greece > Shipping finance Tier 1

Combining deep industry knowledge with a core understanding of a myriad financing transactions, including sale and leasebacks, structured tax-based leasing products and conventional term loans, Watson Farley & Williams – Greek Branch is well-placed to advise banks and shipping operators across a range of new money and distressed/refinancing mandates. The team is also able to leverage the expertise of lawyers at the firm in other key maritime centres, including London, Hamburg and Hong Kong, and also benefits from the expertise of many lawyers on the ground in Athens who are able to advise on English law-governed financing documents by virtue of having UK law qualifications. Dual Greek and UK-qualified Alexandros Damianidis is one such practitioner whose versatile offering includes expertise at handling vessel acquisition financing, debt refinancing and corporate loans to shipping companies; he also recently acted on the buy side on a major transaction relating to a portfolio of HSBC's shipping loans. Christina Economides is also dual qualified and regularly acts on the creditor and debtor-side on the financing and refinancing of new build vessels. Konstantinos Mexias, who rejoined the firm from Ince & Co in October 2023, is also a key member of the team and whose additional New York qualification enhances its ability to advise NYSE-listed shipping companies. The team is headed by Alexia Hatzimichalis.

Practice head(s):

Alexia Hatzimichalis

Other key lawyers:

Alexandros Damianidis; Vassiliki Georgopoulos; Marsila Karpida; Christina Economides; Konstantinos Mexias; Dimitris Karamacheras

Key clients

First Citizens Bank

ABN Amro Bank

Piraeus Bank

EDT Shipmanagement Ltd.

Danaos Corporation

CIT

HSBC

Piraeus Bank

EDT Shipmanagement Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advised First Citizens Bank on its acquisition of a $123m portfolio of eleven shipping loans previously held by HSBC Bank. The loans acquired pertain to 14 vessels owned by eight different ship owners
  • Advised ABN AMRO BANK and ING BANK on a $245m term loan facility granted to Tsakos Energy Navigation for the financing of a fleet of tanker vessels
  • Advised Danaos Corporation on a $450m post-delivery senior secured term loan facility to finance eight newbuild vessels under construction in the Daehan, Dalian and Qingdao shipyards to be delivered in 2024-2025.

Greece > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

With Athens-based practitioners able to advise on Greek and English law, as well as leveraging broader international resources throughout the network, should the need arise, Watson Farley & Williams – Greek Branch is particularly adept at advising stakeholders providing or receiving financing to facilitate large-scale project and asset finance mandates. Virginia Murray has a core focus on advising on project finance-related infrastructure and energy deals; she recently represented Attica Bank as lead arranger on a €63m term bond loan facility granted to Jasper Wind Hellas S.A. to finance the development and construction of three wind farms in Laconia in the southern Peloponnese. Marisetta Marcopoulou also excels at handling renewables-related financings, work which she combines with a vibrant maritime finance offering. Nikolaos Kostikas co-heads the team alongside Murray and Marcopoulou.

Practice head(s):

Virginia Murray; Marisetta Marcopoulou; Nikolaos Kostikas

Other key lawyers:

Maira Galani; Stamatis Kotsiras; Valina Giouzelaki; Matina Kanellopoulou; Georgia Mathiopoulou; Asimina Papakosta; Dimitrianna Kolonia; Fanis Krystallis

Testimonials

‘The firm employs both UK & Greek law experts. Good collaboration and attitude. Pleasure working with them.’

‘Very diligent and proactive team.’

‘Unique approach.’

Key clients

Eurobank

EBRD

Motor Oil Hellas

Intrakat

GEK Terna

Aktor Concessions

Attica Bank

Work highlights

  • Advised Thermoilektriki Komotinis, an SPV of GEK TERNA Group, and Motor OilHellas on the project agreements and subsequently a €325m non-recourse financing provided by Piraeus Bank, Eurobank and Optima Bank, for the development and construction of anew 877 MW gas-fired combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in Komotini, Greece.
  • Advised Attica Bank as lead arranger on a €63m term bond loan facility granted to Jasper Wind Hellas to finance the development and construction of three wind farms with total installed capacity of 41MW in Laconia in the southern Peloponnese.
  • Advised Eurobank as mandated lead arranger and finance provider on a €315.34m project finance agreement with Enipeas Single-Member SA, a subsidiary of Lightsource bp, for the development of the Enipeas project, one of the largest solar projects in Europe with a nominal capacity of 560MW.

Greece > Energy Tier 2

Watson Farley & Williams – Greek Branch has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of project development, construction agreements and project finance issues, often supporting major financial institutions and international investors. The Athens-based Virginia Murray leads the department and is an expert in acquisitions and financings within the energy and infrastructure sectors. Marisetta Marcopoulou is a specialised banking and finance lawyer, and Maira Galani concentrates on environmental law and land rights. Valina Gouzelaki is also a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Virginia Murray

Other key lawyers:

Marisetta Marcopoulou; Maira Galani; Valina Giouzelaki; Matina Kanellopoulou; Stamatis Kotsiras; Maria Charontaki; Anastasios Giannopoulos; Vasso Koumpli; Katerina Stringari; Georgia Mathiopoulou; Anthi Antonakou; Eleftheria Bitzaraki; Katerina Maria; Fotini Nassou; Christianna Papageorgiou

Testimonials

‘Excellent knowledge of the Greek renewables market, very experienced M&A team, hands-on partner.’

‘Very strong team across all areas of Greek law, excellent local knowledge.’

Key clients

Aer Soleir Management Limited

CANTREVA SA

NextEnergy Capital

TotalEnergies Hellas SA

Eurobank SA

Cubico Sustainable Investments Limited

Attica Bank

Motor Oil Renewable Energy SA

Work highlights

  • Advised Attica Bank, as lead arranger, on a €63m term bond loan facility granted to Jasper Wind Hellas to finance the development and construction of three wind farms, with total installed capacity of 41 MW in Laconia.
  • Advised the beneficial owners of construction company Cantreva on their sale of 75% of the shares of Unagi to Motor Oil Renewable Energy.
  • Advised Thermoilektriki Komotinis, an SPV of GEK TERNA Group, and Motor Oil Hellas on the €325m non-recourse financing provided by Piraeus Bank, Eurobank and Optima Bank for the development and construction of a new 877 MW gas-fired combined-cycle gas turbine power plant.

Greece > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

With vast experience in share acquisitions and international privatisations, the Watson Farley & Williams – Greek Branch team is routinely called upon to assist clients in the energy, shipping and renewable energy sectors. Based out of Athens, the practice is headed by Virginia Murray, who specialises in project finance and M&A in the infrastructure and energy industries. Marisetta Marcopoulou is knowledgeable in corporate restructurings, while Maira Galani is noted for her regulatory expertise.

Practice head(s):

Virginia Murray

Other key lawyers:

Marisetta Marcopoulou; Maira Galani; Valina Giouzelaki; Matina Kanellopoulou; Stamatis Kotsiras; Maria Charontaki; Anastasios Giannopoulos; Vasso Koumpli; Katerina Stringari; Georgia Mathiopoulou; Anthi Antonakou; Eleftheria Bitzaraki; Katerina Maria; Christianna Papageorgiou; Fotini Nassou; Eleni Stylianou

Testimonials

‘I’ve found WFW Athens to be an invaluable partner in navigating complex legal challenges. What really sets them apart is their deep understanding of both local and international law, which has been crucial for our cross-border operations.’

Key clients

CANTREVA SA

Bob W

Triton Marine Insurance Brokers

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Howden Hellas SA (Insurance Brokers)

TotalEnergies SA

Next Solar Capital

Motor Oil Renewable Energy SA

Work highlights

  • Advised the beneficial owners of construction company Cantreva on their sale of 75% of the shares of Unagi to Motor Oil Renewable Energy.
  • Advised short-term rental operator Bob W on all agreements relating to the opening of its three first serviced apartment blocks in Athens, marking its entry into the Greek hospitality sector.
  • Advised EBRD on the issue and conversion conditions for the €10.5m convertible bond loan to Noval Property REIC for the development, acquisition, and refurbishment of environmentally certified buildings.

Greece > Shipping litigation Tier 3

Galvanised by the arrival of several shipping litigators in the wake of Ince & Co's demise and further strengthened by the recruitment in September 2024 of Natalie Jackson from HFW, Watson Farley & Williams – Greek Branch's growing shipping litigation offering now has the resources to advise on a significant volume and range of wet and dry work. One of the new arrivals is Aris Moschopoulos, whose dual UK and Greek qualifications ensure he is well-placed to represent clients, including P&I clubs and shipping companies, across a myriad disputes domestically, before the UK High Court and in arbitrations under various sets of rules. Dimitris Giomelakis also joined in February 2024 from Ince & Co, and has expertise relating to marine accidents, salvage claims and a myriad civil, insurance and reinsurance disputes. Alexia Hatzimichalis co-heads the team alongside Moschopoulos.

Practice head(s):

Alexia Hatzimichalis; Aris Moschopoulos

Other key lawyers:

The Firm

Watson Farley & Williams is a leading international law firm advising clients operating in the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors. With a network of offices spanning Asia, Europe and the USA, we bring together technical excellence and deep industry knowledge to deliver unparalleled advice on complex transactions and disputes.

Principal Areas of Work

In all our core sectors, we provide integrated and commercially focussed advice across a broad range of capital markets, corporate, finance, dispute resolution, employment, real estate, regulatory and tax matters.

  • Senior Partner: George Paleokrassas
  • Managing Partner: Lindsey Keeble
  • Energy (Mining; Oil and Gas; Power and Renewables; and Commodities and International Trade) – key contacts: Henry Stewart; María Pilar García Guijarro; and Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi
  • Infrastructure (Airports; Digital and E-Infrastructure; Ports and Terminals; Roads, Bridges and Tunnels; and Social Infrastructure) – key contacts: Florian Kutzbach and José María Anarte
  • Transport (Aviation and Aerospace; Maritime; and Rail) – key contacts: Jim Bell and George Macheras
Energy – Mining

We leverage the wealth of experience across our global network to support industry players across the whole mining life cycle, including in the emerging sectors of seabed and space mining, as well as investor-state dispute settlement.

We are the go-to advisors for all mining participants from owners/licensees, developers and sponsors to financiers, contractors and governments. Operating globally and in areas beyond national jurisdiction enables us to advise on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters in all the major mineral-producing areas of the world, from Africa and Australasia to Asia and the Americas.

Energy – Oil & Gas

We have over 30 years’ direct industry experience advising clients across the whole of the oil and gas value chain, covering upstream, midstream and downstream. We also have in-depth knowledge of new fuels and gases such as LNG, hydrogen, ammonia and SAF to help support the industry’s energy transition.

Clients include exploration, development and production companies, traders, offshore services, storage and distribution companies, refinery developers and operators, funds and investors, banks and governments.

Energy – Power and Renewables

With an international offering of sector specialist lawyers, we are the natural choice for clients across the power and renewables space. We have long been at the forefront of new technology and developments in the industry and have a successful track record advising on all aspects of the value chain and life cycle of projects from conventional power to renewables such as onshore and offshore wind, solar, biomass, and waste to energy.

By leveraging our regulatory, transactional, ESG and dispute resolution experience, we offer an unrivalled full service in sector to clients including developers, investors, sponsors, financiers, contractors and both governments and government entities.

Energy – Commodities and International Trade

We offer a comprehensive sector offering covering disputes, structured trade finance, sanctions and regulatory, ESG, project development & finance, and corporate matters.

Our historical focus on the energy, infrastructure and maritime sectors, which each have strong synergies with commodities and international trade, give us a unique 360-degree perspective, allowing us to support our clients operating in these sectors across all key service lines.

Clients include major corporates, trading houses, mining majors, energy traders, banks, independent trade financiers, investment funds and agricultural and food companies.

Infrastructure

With the global demand for infrastructure rapidly increasing, we support our clients on major projects around the world.

We act for a broad range of participants across transport-relevant infrastructures ranging from airports, ports and terminals, rail and roads, bridges and tunnels. We also work on energy-relevant projects ranging from transmission and storage, water and waste management and renewable energy assets, as well as social infrastructure to emerging sub-sectors such as smart and digital infrastructure.

Our multi-disciplinary team, based across our global network of offices, provides first-rate advice and guidance to all participants in the infrastructure sector.

Transport – Aviation and Aerospace

Always abreast of trends within the aviation and aerospace sectors, we have over 40 years’ experience advising key industry stakeholders. These include aircraft and engine leasing companies, banks and financial institutions, funds and investors, export credit agencies, airlines, tour operators and manufacturers.

What propels our service beyond that of our competitors is our active involvement in making impactful changes to the industry at a global level. This includes being the principal advisors to the Aviation Working Group (AWG) and the prime choice for legal advice focussing on the decarbonisation of the industry, alternative fuels and emissions reduction.

Transport – Maritime

With the largest dedicated maritime legal practice worldwide, we have been helping clients address the industry’s ups and downs for over 40 years.

Our unrivalled shipping experience attracts clients including shipowners, charterers, ship managers, P&I and FD&D insurers, investors, banks and financiers with substantial shipping portfolios. Areas of special expertise include maritime infrastructure, commercial shipping, container shipping and logistics, offshore oil & gas, cruise, commercial contracts, sanctions, disputes and regulatory, loan portfolios and restructuring.

We are at the forefront of the industry move towards decarbonisation, including having advised on the development of the Poseidon Principles to support the IMO’s goal to reduce shipping’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050.

Photo Name Position Profile
Maira Galani photo Maira Galani Maira specialises in project and structured finance, mergers and acquisitions and regulations…
Virginia Murray photo Virginia Murray Virginia specialises in acquisitions and financings in the Greek infrastructure and energy…
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