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
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
- Bernitsas Law advised GIC Fund on its entry into a strategic partnership with Sani/Ikos Group worth EUR2.3 billion.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The lawyers at Bernitsas Law have deep knowledge and the ability to explain things simply. Their service level and responsiveness is one of the firm's core strengths."
"Bernitsas Law has a very close-knit team of great professionals who always listen to their clients' needs."
"Bernitsas Law delivered on a very complicated and time-sensitive project, demonstrating responsiveness and diligence. The team was fully dedicated and available 24/7."
"The team at Bernitsas Law has a strong grasp of Greek law and is able to provide robust advice. The firm is able to quickly assemble a team to deal with last-minute queries on a variety of different legal issues."
"Bernitsas Law offers world-class advice and execution. Its team is highly efficient, methodical and intelligent, and its service levels and responsiveness are outstanding."
"The lawyers at Bernitsas Law have deep knowledge and the ability to explain things simply. Their service level and responsiveness is one of the firm's core strengths."
"Bernitsas Law has a very close-knit team of great professionals who always listen to their clients' needs."
"Bernitsas Law delivered on a very complicated and time-sensitive project, demonstrating responsiveness and diligence. The team was fully dedicated and available 24/7."
"The team at Bernitsas Law has a strong grasp of Greek law and is able to provide robust advice. The firm is able to quickly assemble a team to deal with last-minute queries on a variety of different legal issues."
"Bernitsas Law offers world-class advice and execution. Its team is highly efficient, methodical and intelligent, and its service levels and responsiveness are outstanding."
Notable Practitioners
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 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 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 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
Greece
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
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.