This strong team advises on a wide range of matters including project finance, money laundering regulation and day-to-day banking operations. Both peers and clients are impressed by the firm’s performance. Vladimir Rangeloff is well-known for his responsiveness and attention to detail. He is specialized in banking and finance, as well as corporate and commercial law.
Corporate/Commercial
The skills of this group are highly valued by clients. It has demonstrated its expertise advising on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters such as M&A, shareholding schemes and management contracts. Recently it advised the National Bank of Greece on its attempted acquisition of First Investment Bank. Sources applaud Yavor Kambourov for being a remarkably effective adviser. Vladimir Rangeloff is an analytical and sensible attorney, say peers.
Dispute Resolution
This two-partner group has remained busy with high-profile instructions from clients such as E.ON Bulgaria and Nu Boyana Film. It recently assisted Global Vision with five law suits in relation to the content of broadcasted episodes of ‘Masters of the Air’. Managing partner Yavor Kambourov led the team advising bondholders of Kremikovtzi in EUR 320 million proceedings. He is highly regarded for his experience in corporate and commercial law and is a certified bank trustee. Stefan Tzakov is a well-known litigator and has significant experience in the energy sector. He represented E.ON Bulgaria in appeals made against decisions made by the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission on electricity prices. Emil Emanuilov acted for Nu Boyana Film in arbitration proceedings against the Bulgarian authorities.
Employment
This team is praised as a tremendous authority on employment matters ‘It has preserved its strong position on the market’, say market observers. It was recently instructed by E.ON Bulgaria on collective labour agreements, dismissal cases and the collective rights of employees, as well as participation of employees in the management of the company. Group head Andrey Alexandrov is lauded for his approach and oversees all of the firm’s employment mandates. He has lately advised Nu Boyana Film and Nu Image Bulgaria on a range of issues.
Energy and Natural Resources
This outstanding group is lauded for its proficiency in the energy sector. It continues to provide ongoing advice to E.ON Bulgaria and its subsidiaries. In addition, the team assisted Kalvacha Gas with a EUR12 million repurchase agreement with an international bank. Stefan Tzakov is noted for his solid experience in this area. He acted for Gruppo Societa Gas Rimini/Citigas Bulgaria on several recent matters, including gas supply and gas connection agreements.
Intellectual Property
This two-partner team is lauded for its expertise in trademarks in particular. It recently represented CVC Capital Partners’ Starbev Netherlands’ Kamenitza before both the Bulgarian Patent Office and WIPO in relation to more than 90 trademarks. Mitko Karushkov garners warm praise from peers. He recently advised Pernod Ricard on IP matters. Talented Margarita Guigova is highly recommended for her work in this area. She was part of the team acting for Global Vision and Global Films on a major copyright infringement case.
Real Estate
This outstanding team has acted on a number of premium mandates over the past year. It recently advised Carrefour Marinopolous and South Management Company on a number of retail properties. Group head Atanas Shopov is ‘creative, solution-driven and knowledgeable’, say sources. He acted for Baumax in the development and construction of chain of stores in Bulgaria. Emil Emanuilov was part of the team assisting Sofia Municipal Privatization Agency with due diligence of real estate in relation to the privatization of seven municipality-owned enterprises. Radosveta Kojuharova assisted Nu Image and its Bulgarian subsidiary with real estate matters.
TMT
This team is well-known for its assignments in the media sector. Highlights include assisting the TV production companies Global Films and Global Vision with media law-related matters. Mitko Karushkov is ‘someone I can turn to for more complicated cases’, says one interviewee. He acted for UK software company Everbread in EUR1 billion development of an international platform.
