Represents local and international credit and financial institutions in syndicated facility arrangements. Assists clients with banking and capital markets regulation. Acts on public takeovers and private equity transactions and also well-versed in financial restructuring mandates. Notable expertise in handling finance arrangements for clients in the media and telecommunications industries.
Strengths
"The team provides business-orientated advice focused on the interests of their client," notes one interviewee.
Work highlights
Assisted Advance Media Group with obtaining a syndicated loan agreement of EUR100 million to finance the acquisition of Nova Broadcasting Group.
Notable practitioners
Vladimir Rangeloff is well versed in the banking and finance sector, with experience in project finance, regulatory compliance and capital markets transactions. Clients describe him as a "very balanced, knowledgeable lawyer and a skilled negotiator."
Standout team advising local and international clients on commercial issues, acquisition and corporate restructurings. Maintains a stellar client list made up of prominent domestic and international corporations. Also provides day-to-day corporate governance advice. Wide-ranging sector expertise encompasses TMT and banking, with recent increased activity across the real estate and transportation industries. Possesses additional experience in regulatory matters.
Strengths
Clients are quick to point out the team's client-focused approach, with a client reporting: "They're very efficient and friendly," further praising the team for "solving problems and thinking ahead."
Another source adds that the lawyers "responded promptly to all questions and comments regardless of the hour."
Work highlights
Assisted Advance Media Group with its EUR185 million acquisition of Nova Broadcasting Group.
Notable practitioners
The "proactive and dynamic" Veronika Hadjieva is a well-regarded practitioner advising clients on complex M&A transactions, often across borders. She also has experience in corporate and restructuring matters. "She is the type of lawyer who digs into the matters," a source enthuses, adding she looks at everything until "a workable solution is found."
Vladimir Rangeloff is held in high regard by market commentators for his extensive experience handling a wide range of corporate mandates and M&A deals. One impressed client praises his "business acumen and strong commercial focus" along with his "outstanding negotiation skills."
Highly regarded team that advises on a wide range of matters, including merger control notifications and domestic compliance mandates relating to advertising and distribution agreements. Handles significant cases in relation to the abuse of dominance and defends clients in cartel investigations. Also has experience in private enforcement actions. Acts for automotive, TMT, food and retail sector clients.
Strengths
Clients appreciate the team's approach, with one stating that the lawyers "help you understand the implications behind the solutions."
Another source states: "They have always been there for us, and they do their work in a very short time."
Notable practitioners
Stefan Tzakov is particularly active on merger control mandates and also assists with competition compliance matters. He is also noted for handling contentious competition matters.
Strong team dealing with claims for domestic and international clients across various industries, including the construction and telecoms sectors. Clients also hail from the insurance and oil and gas industries. Offers comprehensive coverage of a variety of issues including commercial litigation. Has a strong track record in disputes over receivables and remuneration. Also acts on financial as well as white-collar crime cases.
Strengths
Interviewees appreciate the lawyers' detailed and dedicated approach. "They are commercially aware, discerning strategists and skilful negotiators," reports one client.
A client is impressed by the team's "extensive experience in domestic and international cases,"adding that the lawyers are "methodical, thorough and always prepared."
Work highlights
Represented BTC as the defendant in claims on behalf of former members of the Supervisory Board regarding remuneration.
Notable practitioners
Clients highly praise Emil Emanuilov for his "refined litigation skills, strong court presence, huge dedication and pleasant personality." He handles cross-border litigation as well as arbitration matters. One impressed source notes:"He is resourceful, creative and always has the best solution up his sleeve."
Yavor Kambourov is highly experienced in dispute resolution and garners praise for his knowledge, with an interviewee reporting: "He is always there if you need insightful advice and reassurance," adding: "He is an exceptional litigator." Kambourov focuses on commercial, insolvency and white-collar crime cases.
Highly regarded domestic firm advising on all areas of labour and social security law, representing clients in both contentious and non-contentious cases. Expertise includes contract drafting and terminations as well as data protection issues. Well versed in immigration matters concerning non-EU citizens. Particularly notable for its representation of major local supermarket chains and international retailers. Can also advise on immigration matters concerning non-Bulgarian and non-EU citizens' rights to work.
Strengths
One client says: "They always give us business-orientated solutions and opinions, not just the facts of the law."
Work highlights
Provided Lidl Bulgaria with ongoing advice on employment matters, including contract drafting, regulatory proceedings and litigation.
Notable practitioners
Andrey Alexandrov advises major clients across a range of industries on employment issues. He has expertise in contractual matters, regulatory compliance and employment litigation, as well as immigration issues. "He is the best for labour law in Sofia," a client reports, adding: "He is straight to the point, very fast in his work and he makes business-orientated decisions."
Well-reputed energy practice, offering noteworthy experience in regulatory matters. Stands out for significant activity in the electricity sector, with a strong client portfolio that consists of significant domestic and international electricity trading companies. Regularly assists with energy-related contentious-administrative appeals, as well as arbitration proceedings. Also well equipped to advise on the energy element of transactional mandates, including post-acquisition restructurings.
Strengths
Advised Citygas Bulgaria on gas supply and distribution licences for several Bulgarian regions.
Notable practitioners
Stefan Tzakov 's practice focuses on assisting energy companies and electricity traders with contentious cases, including arbitration. "His strength is in disputes," a source confirms. He represents clients before the regulatory authorities as well as in court.
Wide-ranging skills in the IP sphere with notable experience in copyright cases in the media and entertainment industries. Offers trade mark registration and defence as well as portfolio management advice. Advises a number of prominent Bulgarian clients as well as being adept at advising international names. Also possesses demonstrable experience in handling contentious matters before the BPO, EUIPO and WIPO.
Strengths
"We like that they are commercial and efficient, deeply knowledgeable and insightful, determined and hard-working," an interviewee commends.
Work highlights
Assisted Advance Media Group with the EUR185 million acquisition of Nova Broadcasting Group, which included IP due diligence.
Notable practitioners
Head of the IP department, Margarita Guigova is a highly respected name on the market with extensive experience of assisting trade mark and copyright owners with the protection of their IP rights. She also advises on IP portfolio management issues and represents clients in disputes. "She is very thorough, detail-oriented, analytical and systematic," a client reports.
Highly regarded team with a reputation for acting on high-value developments. Frequently assists clients with the development of commercial and office premises. Also advises on construction mandates, including industrial plants and infrastructure projects, as well as retail spaces. Assists with long-term lease agreements and M&A.
Strengths
Sources state that the "client service is top-notch" and describe the team as "attentive, helpful, fast to react and available."
Clients also praise the lawyers for their knowledge of "the inside-outs of the real estate market" and particularly highlight that they can assist with all phases of project development.
Work highlights
Advised Kaufland on its acquisition of land and the construction of new hypermarkets.
Notable practitioners
Atanas Shopov regularly assists with construction and development of real estate projects, including retail expansion, offices and hotels and brownfield sites. He also assists with public infrastructure construction projects. An impressed client describes him as a "fantastic negotiator," adding that "he knows and understands the market and our industry perfectly."
Radosveta Kojuharova assists real estate investors and developers active in Bulgaria, including transactions and construction mandates. "She is very thorough, detailed and to-the-point. She does not like to complicate things, and she is always there when I need help," a client reports.
Impressive team with particular expertise in corporate tax issues. Double tax treaties, excise duties, tax-efficient corporate structuring and VAT issues, including VAT-related disputes, are all areas of experience. Additionally represents clients in contentious tax proceedings. Maintains a client base of significant domestic corporates from the telecoms, food and drink and construction sectors. Additionally acts for international corporates active in Bulgaria.
Strengths
One source comments: "They stand out for great common sense, experience and knowledge, as well as strong attention to details, where no ends are ever left loose and all possibilities and facts are considered. It’s a firm with deep business understanding and a to-the-point pragmatic approach. The team really puts clients' interests first and maintains a solid focus on the goal."
Work highlights
Advised bTV Media Group on the tax aspects of its operations.
Notable practitioners
Todor Todorov is an expert on double tax treaties and tax treatment of transactions. He also represents clients in proceedings before the NRA. One client comments: "He is responsive, efficient, proactive in approach and highly skilled in any tax field. We admire the quality of his work and his capacity to provide thoughtful business-focused advice."
Regularly assists clients from the TMT sector with GDPR matters as well as data security mandates. Also has experience acting on transactional mandates, licensing matters and commercial issues. Advises a variety of TMT businesses, including telecoms, software companies and government e-services platforms.
Strengths
Clients appreciate the dedication, with one reporting: "When they set a deadline, they always met the deadline. They are also able to work on very short notice."
Work highlights
Advised Pierre Fabre on implementation of GDPR.
Notable practitioners
Mitko Karushkov advises domestic and international companies on a range of TMT matters, including GDPR implementation, corporate restructurings and disputes. Sources note his understanding of the different businesses of the TMT sector as well as his approachability. "He is very easy to reach,"a client says, adding: "He has a 'can do' attitude."