Competition/European Law
Europe Guide 2024 : Greece
Band 2
About
Provided by Bernitsas Law
EU, Competition & Antitrust
Our practice is a market leader, with a history dating back to Greece’s accession to the EU and a successful track record of advising in landmark competition and antitrust matters, including merger control cases, cartel investigations and related litigation, concerted and restrictive practices, market and sectoral investigations, abuse of dominance and State aid cases.
Recent Experience
- INTRAKAT Acquisition Clearance: Marina Androulakakis and team assisted Intrakat on obtaining unconditional merger control clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission and thereafter on the successful completion of its acquisition of 100% of Aktor, a landmark transaction in the Greek constructions market.
- Attica Group / ANEK Merger Clearance - Failing Firm Defence: Panayotis Bernitsas, Marina Androulakakis and team advised Attica Group and ANEK in the merger clearance procedure before the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) in relation to the merger by absorption of ANEK by Attica Group and the repayment by the post-merger entity of ANEK's loan obligations to its creditors. For the first time, the HCC unanimously approved the merger under the failing firm defence.
- Competition Litigation: Marina Androulakakis, Christos Paraskevopoulos and team advise a financial services company on competition law issues relating to a claim for damages and relief in relation to losses from anti-competitive arrangements for ATM transactions.
Chambers Review
Bernitsas Law is a well-recognised law firm with a respected competition law offering, acting for an impressive roster of clients. The team has a particular focus on merger control mandates, as well as regulatory issues connected to distribution networks. The department also has experience in investigations and dawn raids. The law firm additionally assists with the appeal of Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) decisions and follow-on damages claims relating to alleged collusion.
Work Highlights
- Bernitsas Law advised Intrakat on the merger clearance filing for its proposed acquisition of Aktor.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Bernitsas Law provides detailed work. The team is business oriented and has a pragmatic approach."
"It is a really practical team, that approaches the problems in a holistic manner."
"The team has extensive commercial awareness."
"Bernitsas Law provides detailed work. The team is business oriented and has a pragmatic approach."
"It is a really practical team, that approaches the problems in a holistic manner."
"The team has extensive commercial awareness."
Notable Practitioners
Managing partner Panayotis Bernitsas is a well-respected figure in the sector, boasting long-standing expertise in competition law. His practice covers merger clearances, distribution networks and state aid issues.
Marina Androulakakis is known for her work advising a diverse client list on obtaining competition law clearance for proposed transactions. In addition, she represents clients in sector inquiries conducted by the HCC and in follow-on damages actions. She has further experience in state aid matters and appeals against HCC decisions.
"Marina Androulakakis is responsive and eager to find the best and most practical solution to our issues."
"Marina Androulakakis is very experienced, with knowledge of the market and regulatory trends, and is always helpful."
"She is a very meticulous practitioner."
Tania Patsalia enters the rankings on account of her broad competition law practice, advising clients on merger control proceedings as well as representing them in behavioural investigations before the HCC. She also assists clients with competition law compliance matters.
"Tania Patsalia is really practical and to the point and has a great commercial understanding of the market."
"She is one of the people who stand out."
"Tania Patsalia is very supportive and up to date on competition law matters."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bernitsas Law
Greece
Members
Provided by Bernitsas Law
Domna Mirasyesi
Ioniki Poulaki
Marina Androulakakis
Marina Myzithra
Clients
Provided by Bernitsas Law
Attica Group
BMW Hellas SA
Bristol Myers Squibb
CVC
Hellenic Fuels (formerly BP Hellas)
Hellenic Republic
Helleniq Energy
Motor Oil Hellas
Vivartia Group
Industries
Provided by Bernitsas Law
Energy
Financial Services
Maritime
Pharmaceuticals
Retail
Supply Chains
Telecoms