Georgia

IFLR1000 Reviews

Financial and corporate
BLC Law Office

BLC Law Office is a full-service Georgian firm established in 2000. It has offices in Tbilisi and Butami.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm provides full-legal services across all practice area, including banking and finance, capital markets: debt and equity, corporate and M&A. It has experience working with institutional investors, foreign and local companies and banks on significant multi-million local and cross-border deals.

It has a demonstrated expertise in handling a broad range of transactions and procedures in financial and corporate as well as in various projects in a long list of industries.

Among its attorneys there are people educated in Georgian law as well as in US and EU laws.

 

Key clients

In financial and corporate work, it advises BP, SOCAR, Airbnb, Tik-Tok, Uber, Pepsi bottlers in Georgia, Wizz Air, Philip Morris, Global Benefits Georgia, and DHL.

In project development, it works with EDF France, Enka Insaat, Clean Energy, Tata Group, Calik Energy, Pace Group, Scatec Solar ASA, Wings & Freeman Capital, Anagi Development, Elementum Energy, Anaklia Development Consortium, BOUYGUES Travaux Publics, and Sade Companie Generale Des Travaux Hydroliques.

 

Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Throughout the research period, the firm exhibited active engagement across key domains including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and project development. Its clientele encompassed a diverse spectrum, ranging from local companies and banks to institutional investors, as well as foreign clients with extensive international and multijurisdictional business operations.

Within the scope of banking and finance, the firm specialized in project finance and securing financing from institutional investors. Its expertise extended to providing guidance to both lenders and borrowers involved in cross-border transactions.

The firm demonstrated significant activity within the capital markets practice, offering advisory services to government institutions as well as corporate entities. Its expertise encompassed various aspects of bonds and notes issuance, including restructuring endeavors.

The firm's corporate and mergers and acquisitions practice was marked by a remarkable level of activity. It predominantly provided guidance to both foreign and local sellers, overseeing acquisitions involving assets and shares across several sectors, notably including banking, investment management, technology, telecommunications, and manufacturing.

In the domain of project development, the firm demonstrated considerable involvement in diverse areas, including real estate development and energy-related ventures such as electricity utilities projects. The roster of projects undertaken encompassed a wide range of activities, including the acquisition of immovable property, land procurement, and the drafting of an array of agreements, spanning from power purchase agreements to transmission and dispatch contracts, as well as construction agreements. The firm's expertise extended to overseeing tender procedures and addressing an array of project-related legal and regulatory intricacies.

 

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Ajaristskhali Georgia $350 million construction project

Tbilisi Hills Golf and Resort $1 billion golfing club project

Phazisi Group $300 million hydropower stations

 

Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Project development

"First of all, the advice is very solid legally speaking and based on past experience. Their advice is also very down to earth with a pragmatic approach. They also provide extra advice to ensure we have looked with a 360 view."

"BLC Law Office, led by its partner Giorgi Batlidze, is knowledgeable in various legal fields pertaining to our activities; their team is always eager to help and very diverse in their expertise. We feel we are in safe hands with them."

Giorgi Batlidze

"Good knowledge of sector."

"He is extremely client-oriented, knowledgeable, and always eager to help. He is a true jewel of the Georgian legal practice and always delivers solutions, rather than points out challenges. "

"Eager to help and extremely reliable and knowledgeable. "

"He is partner at BLC and with him we were almost always able to find a suitable solution."

"Professional, pragmatic."

 

Lasha Uplisashvili

"His knowledge and experience."

LPA Law Firm

LPA Law Firm is a full-service Georgian firm established in 2009.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm provides legal services across M&A, banking and finance and project developments for a plethora of industries ranging from real estate, manufacturing and technology to energy sectors. It has experience working on both local and cross-border deals.

 

Key clients

The firm’s notable clients include CBS Group, JTI Caucasus, Caucasus Online, PC Max, JSC Rustavi Azot, Blox, Archi, Ytong Georgia, Yonpas Georgia, ATU Georgia, Lapidoth Oil Prospectors and Shulgin International Group.

 

Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)


The firm's corporate and mergers and acquisitions practice exhibited remarkable activity. With a focus on both acquirers and sellers, the firm provided substantial guidance across diverse sectors.

 

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

CBS Group LLC 100% stake acquisition

PwC Georgia share sale and purchase agreement of JSC Rustavi Azot

BGI Legal

BGI Legal is a full-service law firm in Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm advises domestic and international clients on a range of corporate transactions including banking, M&A and project development.

 

Key clients

Key clients are JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, ICBC Standard, TBC Capital, Galt & Taggart, IFC, EBRD and ADB, Korea Water Resources Corporation, Tokyo Electric Power Company, BP Georgia, CT Park, Sarnia Holding and Finance, Yenigun Construction Industry and Citigroup Global Markets.

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Banking and finance

"Client and solution oriented, professional knowledge, easy communication, transparent billing and fees."

 

M&A

"They know the local oil and gas sector and regulations very well, with inside to local politics, so it helped in decision-making during the divestment process."

BLB

BLB is a commercial law firm established in Georgia in 1995.  

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm advises investors and large corporations in Georgia. It specializes in representing international financial institutions financing projects in Georgia. The firm partners with English law firm Tulloch & Co to provide English law advice to clients. 

 

Key clients 

Key clients include Microsoft, Sony, Warner Music Group and Porsche. 

 

Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021) 

Bank lending: Lender side 

"The firm was very fastaccurate, responsive and keen on details. They were able to opine swiftly, accurately and efficiently on all legal matters." 

 

M&A 

"Fast-reacting, pragmatic, good business understanding." 

 

PPP/PFI 

"BLB's experience of working with organisations similar to ours is an asset, BLB knowing specifics of the work and needs of international, non-profit organisations makes our cooperation more fruitful. Timely handling of deliverables and clear communication are both attributes of BLB." 

 

Project finance 

"They are super-responsive, finding the best solutions in a very effective manner. The team has exceptional qualifications and experience in the market."

Business Legal Bureau

Business Legal Bureau is a Georgian law firm founded in 1995 and based in Tbilisi.  

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a particular focus on project development and financial and corporate deals.

 

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Microsoft Corporation, A.P. Moller, Frontera and Porsche.   

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Project development

“Problem solving and availability to provide support in a timely manner.”

Dentons

Dentons is a global law firm that has had a presence in Georgia dating back to 1996.

 

Focusses / specialisms

In Georgia, the firm advises large international corporations and banks as well as more regional companies on M&A, real estate, banking and projects, among other corporate work.

 

Key clients

Among the clients of the firm are FCC Aqualia, JSC Silknet, AFD, EBRD, JP Morgan, Nordic Aviation Capital, SMBC Aviation Capital, Spectre Air Capital, Webster University, OMV Petrom,Cerberus Frontier, IFC and BD Property.

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Banking

"Good knowledge of subject-matter and easy communication."

 

Project development: Infrastructure

"Their competence and flexibility."

Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is the Georgian office of the international law firm of the same name. The firm is based in Tbilisi.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a particular focus on financial and M&A deals.

    

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Financial services

“Very responsive.”

 

EY Law

Large international law and tax firm, EY, has an office in Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm advises on restructuring, large M&A transactions and other corporate matters with a focus on the alcoholic beverages industry.

 

Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)

Financial restructuring

"Work has been performed within the deadlines. Team expressed professional attitude towards the assigned job."

 

Project development

"The law firm is very client-oriented: manage to provide the result with high-quality and short terms."

"They were very professional in the specific FIDIC contract drafting and provided valuable advice."

 

Restructuring: Corporate

"Broad mind and useful, practical advice."

"Provided well-structured research and summary with good communication."

J&T Consulting

J&T Consulting was founded in Tbilisi in 2008. The firm employs staff that are fluent in Georgian, English, Russian, German and Turkish, and advises on matters of Georgian law.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm advises on corporate matters including M&A and project development.

McGill

McGill is a full-service law firm in Georgia. It was founded in 2009 under the name Eristavi Law Group. It employs over 20 staff across its two offices in Tbilisi and Batumi.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm advises local and international clients on Georgian law aspects of equity capital markets and M&A.

MG Law Office

MG Law is a full-service firm in Tbilisi, Georgia. The firm has lawyers qualified to practice Georgian, UK, US and Canadian law, and lawyers fluent in English, Russian, Georgian, French and Italian.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm advises on domestic and cross-border corporate transactions with expertise in energy and financial services.

 

Key clients

Among the clients of the firm are JSC Georgian Railway,BM Holdings, Cosmote Technical Services and Monemvasia Shipping and Trading.

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Financial restructuring

"Communication and feedback. Legal drafting and careful consideration."

 

Nodia Urumashvili & Partners

Nodia Urumashvili & Partners is a Georgian law firm founded in 2005 in Tbilisi.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm advises primarily Georgian companies on a range of direct financing transactions, acquisitions and corporate matters, and has expertise in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

 

Key clients

Key clients include BLC, BLB, ResponsAbility Investments, Lidings Law Firm, Mark Mullen, Amring Pharmaceuticals, MLN and Ushba.  

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Banking

"They have long-standing practical experience. Good network and deep knowledge of local taxation systems and processes."

 

M&A

"Very quick response times; good and practical knowledge of local legislation; more than just legal advice, a trusted partner."

 

Paine Stevens

Paine Stevens was founded in 2012 by an English solicitor in Tbilisi.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm specialises in providing English legal advice to companies in central Asia and the Caucasus region. The firm advises exclusively on English law but also partners with local law firms to provide a full range of corporate services to clients in the region.

 

Key clients

Among the clients of the firm are Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Insolvency

"Practical and hands-on approach. Easy to communicate with."