Papapolitis & Papapolitis is a corporate-focused firm that helps companies gain a foothold in Greece. "On issues of foreign investment in Greece they know it inside-out....
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Papapolitis & Papapolitis is a corporate-focused firm that helps companies gain a foothold in Greece. "On issues of foreign investment in Greece they know it inside-out. They are also knowledgeable in real estate and capital markets," says a client.
Of course, with FDI (foreign direct investment) at a trickle in the country due to the economic circumstances, this type of work has receded, but P&P has still kept itself active this year.
A notable deal came in M&A, where a team led by Nicholas Papapolitis acted for Chipita and Chipita America with regard to its sale of the leading Nonni's Biscotti business to Chicago private equity fund Windpoint Partners. The deal was very complex as it required cross-border work as well as restructuring, and was successfully completed in February 2011.
The firm got to work with some aspects of US law on a notable banking deal, arguably the highlight of the year. The team worked for Cerberus Capital and Ableco Finance as Greek counsel for a global restructuring of debt in Pappas Telecasting's Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Nicholas Papapolitis was joined by managing partner John Papapolitis and partner Perikles Kamarinos on this €536 million transaction.
Clients are effusive about the firm's international attitude: "They understand exactly how to do international work," says one, while another lauds Nicholas Papapolitis's abilities: "Dealing with Papapolitis is like talking to a City or New York lawyer. He has a lot of international experience and gave the greatest impression."
The firm also got involved in project financing, though not in energy like a lot of other firms. Its standout mandate was acting for SA Olympia Resorts in respect of a tranche of financing, which is to be structured as a €100 million covered bond issue to be offered by a syndicate of Austrian banks.
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