Assists local and international credit and financial institutions with a range of banking and capital markets regulation. Acts on financial restructuring mandates and has further expertise in relation to securities agreements. Notable expertise in handling finance arrangements for clients in the media and telecommunications industries.
Strengths
One client appreciates that the team are "always aware of possible issues and provides early warnings. In this sense, they safeguard the client's interests and reputation and are very reliable. Their advice is always business-oriented and practical."
Work highlights
Assisted Bulgarian Telecommunications Company with a variety of banking-related matters, including security reorganisation and other regulatory advice.
Notable practitioners
Vladimir Rangeloff regularly advises clients regarding loans and securities agreements. He also is well placed to handle debt restructurings and financings linked to acquisitions.
Highly regarded team that advises on a wide range of matters, including merger control clearance as well as domestic compliance mandates relating to advertising, vertical integration 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 describe the team's service as "excellent," with one commenting: "They are very business-oriented and understand their clients' needs and concerns."
Another source remarks: "The team is supportive, proactive and reassuring, giving a client a sense of security and reliability."
Work highlights
Represented Kaufland Bulgaria in proceedings regarding alleged abuse of a stronger bargaining position.
Notable practitioners
Plamen Yotov enters the rankings on the back of strong market feedback. He is adept at handling merger control mandates as well as contentious issues. Sources praise him for providing "precise and well-researched advice."
Stefan Tzakov is described as "very experienced, business-oriented lawyer who has the bigger picture in mind when crafting a strategy." Another source highlights his skills representing clients before the competition authority and courts. He is noted for his activity on merger control mandates and competition compliance matters.
Standout team advising local and international clients on commercial issues, acquisitions and corporate restructurings. Maintains a stellar client list made up of prominent domestic and international corporations. Also provides day-to-day corporate governance advice. Possesses additional experience in regulatory matters. Wide-ranging expertise encompasses the TMT, real estate and energy sectors.
Strengths
Clients laud the team for providing "prompt advice, attention to detail and clear solutions."
Another interviewee declares: "Their advice is always business-oriented and practical."
Work highlights
Represented Vivacom in its EUR2 billion sale to United Group.
Notable practitioners
Clients assert that Veronika Hadjieva "has a solution for every issue." Another client adds that she is "a highly resilient go-getter. She is definitely a driving force for each project." She assists with a variety of mandates, including restructuring, reorganisations, sales and acquisitions. Hadjieva focuses on the real estate, retail and TMT sectors.
Vladimir Rangeloff is a highly regarded practitioner with significant experience in corporate matters. He assists with cross-border transactions in a variety of sectors, including the energy and media. "He is a deal maker," a source says, adding: "He's very easy to work with, he's very cooperative."
Market-leading team dealing with claims for domestic and international clients. Offers comprehensive coverage of a variety of issues including commercial litigation. Has a strong track record in disputes over receivables. Also acts on white-collar crime cases. Well versed in handling domestic and international arbitration cases. Clients hail from the insurance, financial services, construction and telecoms sectors.
Strengths
Clients laud the team's attention to their needs, with one saying: "They discuss a lot with the client before approving any kind of strategy. They share their experience, which is helpful for making decisions."
Work highlights
Represented Fix Finance, South Management Company and Burgas Plaza as respondents in multiparty arbitration proceedings before the ICC International Court of Arbitration relating to the development of retail malls in Bulgaria.
Notable practitioners
Clients hail Emil Emanuilov as a "very energetic problem solver." Another client says: "He is very concise and to the point," adding that "everything is clear after just one discussion." He is a top-ranked lawyer assisting with civil and commercial litigation as well as arbitration proceedings. Emanuilov represents clients from the TMT, transport and financial services sectors.
Clients describe eminent practitioner Yavor Kambourov as "very knowledgeable, a great leader" and somebody who is "able to provide business advice that goes well beyond legal." He is much admired for his international arbitration expertise. Kambourov also regularly assists with civil and commercial litigation.
Highly regarded team 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.
Strengths
Clients routinely remark on the team's "commercial awareness and deep legal knowledge," as well as on the lawyers' "easygoing and approachable" point of view.
Another client highlights its "business sense and the problem-solving attitude."
Work highlights
Acted for Biovet on a variety of employment matters, including disputes connected to occupational injuries.
Notable practitioners
Andrey Alexandrov has longstanding experience in the market, spanning contractual matters, regulatory compliance and employment litigation, as well as immigration issues. One client describes him as "an outstanding expert," and further comments that "he provides clear and practical advice."
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 energy-related arbitration proceedings. Also well equipped to advise on the energy element of transactional mandates, including post-acquisition restructurings.
Strengths
A client reports: "The lawyers provide responses and feedback in a prompt manner," and further appreciate "their patience in explaining all the details."
A client comments: "The advice and support we receive are always very focused on a specific matter and are clear."
Notable practitioners
Irena Petkova enters the rankings on the back of positive market feedback. She advises a range of international clients on regulatory aspects of their Bulgarian activity as well as market entry. "I work really well with her because she understands our business. She can go beyond the legal advice in the advice she gives us," a client says.
Stefan Tzakov draws praise from clients due to his "understanding of our energy business from the commercial side, as well as the legal side." He is active in a range of contentious mandates, including gas pipeline-related disputes and litigation proceedings in energy trading.
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
One client appreciates that "their organisation of work is precise and the teamwork is at a high level."
Work highlights
Represented Nova Broadcasting Group before the Bulgarian Patent Office regarding the registration of a trade mark that had been initially refused.
Notable practitioners
Margarita Guigova is a distinguished lawyer who comes highly recommended for the full suite of copyright matters. She regularly assists clients in the technology, entertainment, gaming and publishing sectors.
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
Clients praise the firm for its "highly specialised services, which are targeted to our industry and business and are based on substantial experience," adding that they "have an excellent impression of the firm" and are "very pleased with the whole team."
Another commentator notes that "the team can be praised for their fast reaction, availability, professional approach and excellent legal knowledge."
Notable practitioners
Atanas Shopov offers clients a wealth of experience across a range of matters, including the development and construction of industrial and infrastructure projects. He also handles transactions involving residential and office spaces.
Radosveta Kojuharova is "an excellent negotiator with strong business awareness," according to commentators. She is acknowledged for her expertise handling end-to-end work in retail and residential projects including development, construction and leasing matters.
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, online media and software companies.
Strengths
A client describes the firm as "exceptional," adding that "the team is resourceful, flexible and positive."
Another praises the team's "vast experience, which enables them to provide practical solutions in a variety of different cases. Their fast response time helped us move ahead with the deal at a good pace."
Work highlights
Advised DevBG on the sale of a 10% share of its company to SiteGround.
Focuses on corporate tax and compliance support to notable Bulgarian and international corporates. Assists with the taxation side of large infrastructure projects. Additionally represents clients in contentious tax proceedings, representing clients before the NRA and courts.
Strengths
Clients appreciate the lawyers' business approach, one saying: "For me, it was about the promptness and proactivity of the responses," and adding: "They were very efficient."
Work highlights
Represented Viva Telecom Bulgaria in court, appealing the NRA's decision on accrued tax at source.
Notable practitioners
Martin Emanuilov and Dennitsa Dimitrova are key contacts for clients.