Banking & Finance
Global Guide 2024 : Greece
Band 2
Contact number
+30 21 0455 7300About
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
WFW was the first international law firm to open an office in Piraeus in 1984. WFW Greece has a cross-border banking & finance practice, best known for its work in the maritime, renewable energy and real estate sectors.
Our finance practice spans across project, real estate and corporate finance and trade and commodity finance, as well as banking regulatory advice, insurance advice, restructurings, work-outs, insolvencies and enforcement.
We act for more than 150 international banking giants, as well as the four systemic banks in Greece.
In Greece we:
- Draft English-law and Greek-law documents, including transactions with both English-law and Greek-law aspects. Out of 30 lawyers, 8 are dual qualified and 9 are qualified in England and Wales;
- Provide detailed due diligence competence for financing transactions;
- Have long-standing bank regulatory expertise (Nikolaos Kostikas worked 10 years as the Legal Counsel at UniCredit’s Greek branch).
- Have particular expertise in project financing, especially for renewable energy and oil & gas (one of the few Athens firms with real hands-on upstream oil financing experience through the Energean/Kavala Oil financings);
- Have special expertise in the Greek ferry sector;
- Advise PE and other funds on investments in Greek shipping and in the Greek domestic market in a range of sectors; and
- Have expertise working on transactions involving all key multilateral lenders (EBRD, IFC and EIB).
Chambers Review
Watson Farley & Williams houses a well-reputed banking and finance department in Greece. The law firm advises domestic and international banks on a range of finance transactions, notably in the energy and shipping sectors. Its services also cover corporate finance matters, including those related to debt restructurings and refinancings, acting for international investment funds. Drawing on its overseas presence and dual-qualified practitioners, the firm is well placed to advise on deals that have a key English law component. Its abilities in regulatory matters complete the firm's offering.
Work Highlights
- Watson Farley & Williams advised Hova Hospitality on the approximately EUR70 million sale and leaseback of Club Med's Gregolimano resort at Evia as part of an extension and renovation project.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I very much appreciate the fact that Watson Farley & Williams can handle complex and sophisticated matters in a manner that ensures critical issues are identified and addressed."
"Their team has the ability to take a pragmatic approach when dealing with multiple banks to arrange a structure that works for all parties."
"I very much appreciate the fact that Watson Farley & Williams can handle complex and sophisticated matters in a manner that ensures critical issues are identified and addressed."
"Their team has the ability to take a pragmatic approach when dealing with multiple banks to arrange a structure that works for all parties."
Notable Practitioners
Nikolaos Kostikas has proven expertise advising national funds and international banks on NPL portfolio transactions, as well as restructuring and acquisition financing mandates.
"Nikolaos Kostikas is very committed and dedicated to his clients, offering a problem-solving approach and a positive attitude."
"He has a great level of knowledge and experience in this field."
Virginia Murray has a strong finance practice advising investors and financial institutions on various banking and finance mandates, including project and acquisition transactions in the energy sector. She is dual-qualified in Greece and in England and Wales, and is therefore a strong choice for cross-border transactions.
"She is very experienced in handling complex energy financing transactions."
Ranked Lawyers at
Watson Farley & Williams
Greece
Members
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
Alexandros Damianidis
Alexia Hatzimichalis
George Paleokrassas
Marisetta Marcopoulou
Vassiliki Georgopoulos
Virginia Murray
Clients
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
Alpha Bank SA
Citibank International Limited
Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank
DNB ASA
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Fortress Investment Corporation
Grivalia Properties REIC
HSBC Bank
Piraeus Bank AE
UniCredit Bank
Industries
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
Banks
Charities / Not for Profit
Energy
Financial Services
Insurance
Private Clients / Individuals
Real Estate
Real Estate Finance
Software & Computer Services
Transportation