CMS > Sofia, Bulgaria > Firm Profile

CMS > The Legal 500 Rankings

Bulgaria > Legal market overview

Bulgaria > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

The finance team at CMS leverages the firm’s global network to handle cross-border matters, as well as domestic transactions, and is well-placed to coordinate international deals out of Sofia. International financial institutions, commercial banks, private equity firms, financial service providers and fintech companies feature in the practice’s client roster. Dual qualified Bulgarian and English lawyer, Elitsa Ivanova, leads the team alongside Dimitar Zwiatkow, who focuses on real estate financing, and co-managing partner Gentscho Pavlov. Senior associate and capital markets head Katya Todorova is a key contact in the practice.

Bulgaria > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

With one of the largest corporate and commercial teams, which houses some of the ‘most experienced lawyers in the Bulgarian market’, CMS is well-placed to leverage the expertise of other teams across the firm, in addition to its global office network, to handle multi-jurisdictional transactions and cross-border matters. Atanas Bangachev, who is noted for his experience in M&A deals across multiple industry sectors, jointly leads the practice group alongside Assen Georgiev, Gentscho Pavlov and Dimitar Zwiatkow. Nevena Radlova, who focuses on commercial mandates, is another key contact in the team.

Bulgaria > Dispute resolution Tier 1

CMS continues to field ‘one of the leading litigation practices’ in the market and is noted for its particular expertise in IP, insurance and employment disputes. Assen Georgiev, who advises on out-of-court settlement arrangements, mediation and arbitration proceedings, jointly leads the practice alongside senior associate Antonia Kehayova, who focuses on commercial banking, IP and public procurement litigations. The team’s impressive client roster includes Bulgarian National Bank and UniCredit Bulbank, among others. Anna Tanova and ‘promising litigator’ Yana Antonova are also key members of the team.

Bulgaria > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

CMS handles a broad range of significant mandates arising out of the energy sector, such as advising ACF Renewable Energy on the sale of its 60.4 MWp photovoltaic power plant in Bulgaria, the Karadzhalovo power plant, to Enery Development. In addition to renewable energy, the team is also noted for its expertise in upstream oil and gas, nuclear, mining, regulatory and projects. CEE head of energy and climate change Kostadin Sirleshtov, who has notable experience in the conventional power and electricity sectors, jointly leads the Sofia team alongside Dimitar Zwiatkow.

Bulgaria > EU and competition Tier 1

The competition and antitrust team at CMS advises a varied roster of leading domestic companies and international clients on a broad range of mandates, ‘starting from compliance, merger control and antitrust procedures and litigation’, as well as abuse of dominant position and investigations and cartels. Praised as ‘knowledgeable and confident in advising on various competition matters’, counsel Nevena Radlova heads the CEE-wide competition group and co-leads the Sofia team alongside banking and finance partner Dimitar Zwiatkow. Recently promoted counsel Anna Tanova acts for clients in the media sector on competition mandates.

Bulgaria > Projects and PPP Tier 1

CMS has demonstrable experience in advising on the largest projects in Bulgaria, notably in the energy sector, where the team covers upstream oil and gas, renewables, nuclear energy and mining, among others, as well as construction and infrastructure matters. Managing partner and energy specialist Kostadin Sirleshtov jointly leads the team alongside Dimitar Zwiatkow, whose focus lies on the renewable energy sector. Elsewhere, the practice group's caseload includes PPPs and public procurement projects across the defence, transport and environment sectors. Key clients include Rosatom, OMV Petrom and Svilengrad Solar.

Bulgaria > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Praised for its ‘in-depth knowledge and experience in the realm of corporate real estate’, CMS focuses on acquisitions, sales and financing of transactions, involving land, hotels, retail, office and mix-used developments, as well as leasing, zoning and construction matters. Counsel and ‘dedicated professional’ Jenia Dimitrova leads the practice alongside senior associate Antonia Kehayova, who also heads the firm’s litigation team. Key clients include CTP, Robul Bulgaria, in addition to OTP Bank, DSK Bank and Eurobank Bulgaria, to name a few.

Bulgaria > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

The multidisciplinary team at CMS acts for clients across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices industries on a range of matters, including corporate and M&A transactions, commercial contracts, IP and data protection and regulatory issues, among others. Counsel Anna Tanova jointly leads the practice alongside partner Assen Georgiev, following the departure of senior associate Angelika Sedlackova in April 2021 to Kyowa Kirin International. The team provides ongoing commercial advice to key client Johnson & Johnson.

Bulgaria > Intellectual property Tier 2

The IP team at CMS benefits from the firm’s global network and acts for domestic and multinational clients across the media, telecoms, life sciences and healthcare sectors on a range of matters, from registration of trademarks to licensing, franchising and copyright issues. Counsel Nevena Radlova leads the team, as well as the competition practice group, alongside senior associate and litigator Antonia Kehayova. Counsel Anna Tanova is also noted.

Bulgaria > TMT Tier 2

CMS’ expertise in the media sector is noteworthy, as the team advises its roster of key clients, including the Association of Bulgarian Radio and TV Broadcasters, on regulatory, licensing, contract design and outsourcing matters. Counsel and head of the IT and media practice Anna Tanova is supported by corporate partner Atanas Bangachev, who is heavily involved in TMT transactions, co-manager of the Sofia office Gentscho Pavlov and counsel Veliko Savov. The practice group’s diverse client list also includes advertising agencies, software companies, satellite providers and private equity houses, among others.