About

Provided by Bernitsas Law

Corporate and M&A

Our practice has advised participants in many of the high value and innovative corporate public and private sector transactions to have taken place in Greece. We have an expertise in advising on Corporate Advisory & Commercial Agreements, Corporate Restructurings, Mergers & Acquisitions and Risk & Compliance, as well as major Privatisations.


Recent Experience:

  • GIC Strategic Investment in HIP: Lambros Belessis, Evi Kitsou and team advised GIC on the Greek leg of their entry as a new capital partner in Hotel Investment Partners (HIP).
  • Pancreta Bank Investment in Attica Bank: Nikos Papachristopoulos and team advised Pancreta Bank in connection with its investment in Attica Bank, along with Thrivest Holding Ltd and the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund, in the context of Attica Bank's c. €473m equity capital raising.
  • Sale of 80% of Ydrogios Insurance Share Capital: Lambros Belessis, Evi Kitsou and team advised the majority shareholders of Ydrogios Insurance in their entry into an agreement for the sale of 80% of their share capital with the Italian group Reale.
  • INTRAKAT acquisition of 100% of AKTOR: Nikos Papachristopoulos and team advised INTRAKAT on their acquisition of 100% of AKTOR from ELLAKTOR and AKTOR CONCESSIONS.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Corporate/Commercial - Greece
1
Band 1
What the team is known for

Bernitsas Law boasts a broad corporate and commercial practice based in Athens, aided by its strong financing offering. The law firm comes highly reputed for its expertise in M&A transactions ranging from divestments and demergers to cross-border acquisitions. A further key strength of the firm lies in the handling of shareholder agreements and share acquisitions, as well as the participation in public tenders, making it a great choice for international clients. Additionally, the firm regularly assists with corporate restructurings, contract negotiations and due diligence issues. The team's clientele includes investment funds and pharmaceutical companies, and lawyers in the team also act for public authorities, further underlining the firm's strong market position.

Work Highlights

Provided by Bernitsas Law
  • Bernitsas Law advised GIC Fund on its entry into a strategic partnership with Sani/Ikos Group worth EUR2.3 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Panayotis M Bernitsas
S
Panayotis M Bernitsas
S
Senior Statespeople

Panayotis Bernitsas is the managing partner of Bernitsas Law and is held in high esteem for his longstanding expertise in corporate and commercial law matters across Greece.

"Panayotis Bernitsas is the best managing partner in Greece."

"Regardless of the fact that he is the managing partner, Panayotis is always available."

Nikos Papachristopoulos
1
Nikos Papachristopoulos
Head of Corporate/Commercial
1
Band 1

Nikos Papachristopoulos is a leading corporate lawyer with an incredible breadth of expertise in shareholder agreements, demergers and acquisitions. He often acts for investment funds and is particularly experienced in cross-border work.

"Nikos offers very strong levels of client service, sophistication and commercial awareness. He is the best corporate lawyer in Greece."

"Nikos is one of the most respected and top-notch corporate lawyers in Greece."

"Nikos Papachristopoulos is the best attorney for providing his top level of experience and know-how to his clients in the most effective way possible."

Lambros Belessis
3
Lambros Belessis
3
Band 3

Lambros Belessis is a skilled lawyer who advises prominent international investors and corporate clients on the Greek law aspects of multinational corporate deals.

"Lambros's advice is always provided in a pragmatic and operational way."

"Lambros is very attentive to the real needs of his customers."

"Lambros is very business-oriented and his consulting is always pragmatic and to the point."

"Lambros is always available and fast, with a high competency in simplifying complicated issues."

Evi Kitsou
4
Evi Kitsou
4
Band 4

Evi Kitsou advises clients on complex corporate mandates including share sales, restructurings and mergers, where she often acts on cross-border cases.

"Evi offers quality analysis and great responsiveness."

"Evi is a great lawyer to work with. She is quick and responsive."

"Evi is a professional who is always very attentive and prepared."

"Evi is an amazing professional and has excellent expertise in her areas of competence, which include commercial and corporate law."

"Evi is always available and has a deep knowledge in all subjects."

Ranked Lawyers at
Bernitsas Law

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Greece

Corporate/Commercial

Panayotis M Bernitsas
S
Panayotis M Bernitsas
S
Senior Statespeople
Nikos Papachristopoulos
1
Nikos Papachristopoulos
Head of Corporate/Commercial
1
Band 1
Lambros Belessis
3
Lambros Belessis
3
Band 3
Evi Kitsou
4
Evi Kitsou
4
Band 4

Members

Provided by Bernitsas Law

Anastasia Kaiara

Antonis Fix

Christina Zakopoulou

Eleni Stazilova

Iris Sotiriou

Linda Vasaka

Maria Sfika

Marialena Mavrikaki

Marinos Shiapanis

Martha Ntounou

Nikos Papachristopoulos

Nikos Papachristopoulos

Head of Department

Pantazis Karamanolis

Ria Venaki

Yolanda Kalogirou

Clients

Provided by Bernitsas Law

AIG Group of Companies

Amerra Capital Management LLC

Assicurazioni Generali

BMW Group of Companies

CRS Liknoss SA

CVC

CYTA Cyprus

Cyprus Popular Bank Co Ltd.

Diesel Hellas SA

Ellaktor SA

Eurobank Ergasias SA

Hellenic Healthcare Sarl

Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF)

Hipoges Iberia SL

Imker Capital

Kosmocar SA

Lundbeck Hellas SA

Mubadala Industry Holding Company PSJC

National Bank of Greece

RCS Europe Sarl

Saint Gobain Group

The Hellenic Republic

UPS of Greece

Varde Partners

Vinci Energies

Vivatria Group

Industries

Provided by Bernitsas Law

Industry specialisations include banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, energy, technology.