Founded in 1946, Bernitsas Law advises on all areas of business law. It is among the larger domestic firms with a team of 50 lawyers based in Athens.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm works for both domestic and international companies and banks on lending, corporate, capital markets and project development work. In the latter area it is experienced in tender contracts, concession agreements, and the PPP (public-private partnership) agreements.
Key clients
The firm has strong relationships with investment funds, working for investors such as PIMCO and Partners Group. It also works for domestic and international bank and institutional investors such as Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, HSBC Bank, European Investment Bank. In project development it worked with Transport Infrastructure Investment Company and Hellenic Republic.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
The firm was active in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, and project development.
The banking and finance team was active in a wide range of transactions, including direct financing, bond loans, refinancing, restructuring and loan extensions, and project financing. It advised clients mainly from the financial services and energy sectors and acted both on the lender and the borrower’s side.
The firm was particularly active in debt capital markets, advising mostly issuers on various types of bond and securities issues, mostly senior preferred instruments. On the equity side it advised mostly issuers from the construction and pharmaceutical industries.
In terms of M&A work, the firm completed some notable cross-border acquisitions, mostly on behalf of acquirers. It also provided regulatory advice on M&A compliance and corporate issues. This research cycle’s portfolio includes deals and projects in energy, consumer goods and services, technology and telecommunications and shipping industries.
In project development the firm participated in both cross-border and domestic deals. It advised project companies, developers and bidders on PPP, private and concession projects in social infrastructure, energy, shipping, media, defence and manufacturing industries.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Eurobank €500 million bond issue
Intrakat €100 million share capital increase
University of Thessaly student accommodation facility
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Banking and finance
"They have a great legal background and they are very helpful in progressing the transactions. They are very responsive."
"Great expertise and know-how. Client-orientated attitude and hands-on approach."
"Holistic approach, deep knowledge."
"Very experienced law firm. We feel confidence with Bernitsas law firm"
"Bernitsas is extremely efficient and always available and successfully completes all deals under demanding deadlines."
"Extremely knowledgeable, swift response, business enabler."
"Best-in-class from a technical perspective. Very responsive and helpful in terms of managing a transaction and providing a seamless collaborative service to our mutual clients."
Capital markets
"Very well educated and experienced, providing legal advice in the most efficient and successful manner, combining knowledge of EU and Greek law."
"Responsive, approachable and knowledgeable."
"Very effective legal support in most difficult cases. Impressive legal knowledge and know-how."
Financial restructuring
"They provide business-orientated legal solutions in an efficient and timely manner."
"Leveraged finance, they act quickly and commercially."
M&A
"Bernitsas is a leading firm in Greece and supported me very well."
"Experience, expertise, availability of resources, responsiveness, effectiveness. Ability to understand the customer's views and to identify critical issues, prioritise, suggest alternatives and follow up. Succinct in their reports and presentations. Timely delivery within (sometimes strict) deadlines. Competitive in their charges and staying within budget."
"Expert knowledge and extensive experience in advising on all aspects of M&A and financing (both refinancing and acquisition financing) transactions. Active participation and full commitment of partners and senior lawyers in a transaction."
"The best law firm in Greece. Experts in Greek law, commercial, hard-working teams and very user- friendly.”
Private equity
"Hands-on approach. Very efficient in making ends meet and fast response."
Restructuring
"Excellent cooperation, useful insights, accurate and on-time replies, business-orientated."
Dionysis Flambouras
"Dionysis is a highly skilful and efficient lawyer – with high-calibre expertise. I consider him a point of reference in the sector."
"Deep knowledge."
"Very experienced, dedicated, smart thinking and commitment."
"Dionysis Flambouras is extremely efficient and has excellent negotiation skills. He is very business-orientated and always achieves the best results for his client. He always continues efforts until the deal is complete."
"Responsive and efficient."
"Very fast response, interaction with both sides (client and bank) of the project. Highly committed."
Sildia Fotopoulou
"Fast and accurate replies, deep knowledge of the law, very good understanding of the company's dynamics, aims and needs, positive attitude."
Nikos Papachristopoulos
"He is the best attorney working in capital markets and corporate governance. Provides excellent and efficient legal services combining his experience in international, EU and Greek law."
"Responsive and helpful in managing unexpected questions and doesn't quibble over small variations to scope of work."
"The best attorney in European and International level, famous for his extended experience and know-how in capital markets."
"Experience and legal skills."
"Nikos Papachristopoulos is a fantastic lawyer with great commercial acumen, a real industry leader in M&A."
Yannis Seiradakis
"Excellent legal work, business-orientated legal solutions, efficient, a real asset for the firm and its clients."
"Communication, managerial and organisational skills. Knowledgeable, experienced, solution-seeker, responsive, succinct. Timely delivery."
Athanasia Tsene
"Great legal background, responsiveness and negotiations skills."
"Exceptional lawyer, knowledge depth, innovative solutions, excellent client and time management."
"She is a great partner. We trust her to provide the right advice at all times."
"One of the top banking and finance Greek lawyers. Authoritative knowledge of her area of expertise, a great lawyer to work with in all respects."
