Fostering particularly good relationships with the German speaking market, the team at Kambourov is recognized for a flexibility within the sector, allowing it to adapt to changing financial conditions. With an excellent reputation for real estate work, the firm is heavily involved in construction financing. Clients are very positive about the service offered, describing the firm as “absolutely superb, fully reliable and irreplaceable”. Managing partner Vladimir Rangeloff is praised for his “great business acumen”.
Corporate/Commercial
This team “has become a real force”, having expanded quickly over the past few years, peers say. The transaction-oriented team acts for investors from a range of sectors, including the banking, energy and automotive industries. Clients cite the group’s “close relationship with the main private and state institutions” as one of the key reasons to engage the firm. The lawyers recently assisted Emporiki Bank Bulgaria with its internal restructuring as well as its regulatory issues arising after its acquisition by Credit Agricole. Yavor Kambourov is praised for his energetic leadership style, with peers saying he “ranks among the country’s top lawyers” in terms of profile and visibility. Clients recommend Vladimir Rangeloff as “a professional, independent and trustworthy lawyer and an incredibly hard worker”. He recently advised on the privatization of Municipal Bank, including a due diligence, and assisted Nu Image/Universal Studios with its internal restructuring and investments in new film production studios.
Dispute Resolution
The team at this full-service outfit has had a busy year, and seen a recession-generated boom in dispute resolution work. It has been especially active in the area of insolvency and commercial litigation, with clients appreciating the “drive and dedication” it brings to the table. The team has also experienced growth in its arbitration practice representing Bulgaria in a major dispute before the ICC. Senior partner Yavor Kambourov is “definitely the frontman”, peers agree. He focuses mainly in insolvency work, a large growth area. Head of energy resource department, Stefan Tzakov is especially dedicated to disputes arising within the electricity sector, particularly for major client E.ON
Employment
The firm has appeared in some large and complex matters of late, including a number of major redundancies, as well as a Supreme Court appeal regarding a discrimination action by a trade union. The team at Kambourov has also gained a significant amount of experience as well as in the ever-relevant issues of immigration law. Former key individual Nikolay Bandakov is now based in Luxembourg but continues to provide expertise particularly for clients in the energy sector. Andrey Aleksandrov is now the main contact for employment work. He is an associate professor in labour and social security law at Sofia University, and is praised by peers for his very “user-friendly” approach.
Energy and Natural Resources
With a “well-developed” energy group, the firm’s practice in the sector arose out of work related to the privatization of the industry, but has now diversified into all aspects of this practice area. Boasting a number of major clients, including E.ON, it is clear that Kambourov’s reputation in this sector is strong. Renewables are a strong suit in the firm’s hand, with multiple wind farm projects as well as a number of photovoltaic investments in its portfolio. Nikolay Bandakov remains somewhat involved in the firm’s practice, though he has temporarily departed to Luxembourg. Still in Sofia is Stefan Tzakov, who is well liked in the market with source describing him as “particularly excellent in the energy sector”.
Intellectual Property
The firm’s IP team meets the diverse needs of large corporations. For example, it has received multiple instructions from Pernod Ricard of late. Clients of Kambourov & Partners talk of the ‘calm, professional efficiency” they experience when visiting the firm. They also benefit from the team’s strong litigation experience. The “diligent and responsive” Mitko Karushkov has a broad practice in the sector, frequently acting on major cases. Margarita Guigova appears in the table for the first time, following strong recommendations from clients, who dub her “razor-sharp, very precise and well-organized”.
Real Estate
The group has shifted its focus from large amounts of holiday and residential real estate work towards industrial developments. Held up as “enthusiastic about their work and passionate about their clients”, the lawyers at Kambourov manage to provide a boutique real estate practice within a full-service firm. Atanas Shopov is described by commentators as “ a very talented lawyer”. Senior associate Radosveta Kojuharova has “ unique experience and knowledge in construction law”, according to clients. Head of litigation and tax work Emil Emanuilov focuses on related real estate matters. Clients describe him as “diligent, yet creative in finding solutions”.
TMT
This firm’s recent key mandates include TV matters, as well as military telecoms issues. The team at Kambourov has recently acted on some precedent-setting cases regarding parody and free speech in Bulgarian TMT regulations, and peers especially praise the firm’s litigation work in the sector. Head of the IP and IT departments Mitko Karushkov has a broad overview of the area and is involved with the firm’s biggest projects
