Kambourov & Partners has been instructed by several high-profile banking clients, including Deutsche Bank, Volksbank International and Central Cooperative Bank. Headline deals of 2006 included advising all parties in the US$34m loan of two Boeing 737 passenger jets to Hemus Air Bulgaria by AerCo Ltd Ireland. The firm also represented Jorset Holdings, Luxembourg in the multimillion-euro insolvency proceedings for Bulgarian oil refinery Plama Pleven AD and provided advice to Balkancar Holding AD during the company’s €100m insolvency proceedings. Well-respected partner Yavor Kambourov heads the banking and finance department and is recommended by clients.
Corporate and M&A
Kambourov & Partners provides full legal service to corporate clients and specializes in establishing and restructuring the local businesses of multinational companies, The firm’s major clients include the Nokia corporation, whom the firm advises on day-to-day business and also on the Bulgarian end of the global merger with Intellisync. Other headline transactions of 2006 include advising on the €150m joint venture between Carrefour Marinopolous, Mercur Group and South Management Company, which involved launching the first Carrefour store in Bulgaria. The firm´s client base covers the energy, transport, construction and media sectors and includes Gripen International, E.ON Bulgaria and Ogilvy & Mather Bulgaria. Clients remark on the firm’s flexibility and availability, praising its commitment and ‘entrepreneurial spirit’, Senior associate Atanas Shopov is recommended.
TMT
Kambourov & Partners’s IT, telecom and media team is headed by Mitko Karushkov and is adept at handling complex transactions and representing clients before the CRC. In 2006, the firm continued to provide ongoing legal support to BalkanSat EOOD and Nokia Corporation on a range of legal issues including the local end of the merger with Intellisync. The firm also advised Land Company EOOD in a capital transfer, worth €68m.
Privatisation, PPP and foreign investment
Kambourov & Partners has a history of involvement in key privatizations, particularly in the power and energy sector. In 2006 the firm continued to work for multinational company E.ON Energie AG, providing due diligence and assistance during the privatization of two heating distribution companies. The firm also advised the company on the post-privatization unbundling of electricity distribution companies. The firm advised the buyer in the €48m privatization of Plovdiv City Transport EAD and provided full legal representation to NU Image Inc and Universal Studios in the privatization of the Boyana National Film Centre.
Projects, energy and natural resources
Having advised multinational energy company E.ON Energie throughout the €695m privatization of the electricity sector, Kambourov & Partners continues to provide the company and its various subsidiaries with legal support. In particular, the firm advises on restructuring, licensing and compliance issues and has represented the company before the Commission for the Protection of Competition and the Supreme Administrative Court on regulatory issues. The firm has advised on acquisition of Zorlu Energy and Maxinvest Ltd and assisted Gruppo Societa Gas Rimini on its €210m winning bid for natural gas distribution. In 2006, the firm was invited by the European Federation of Energy Traders (EFET) to contribute to its annual update of legal opinions alongside leading multinational firms such as Allen and Overy LLP and Clifford Chance.
Real Estate and Construction
Kambourov & Partners is competent and efficient at handling large, multimillion euro deals in all areas of real estate and construction, including holiday resorts, industrial plants, residential, retail and office units. Highlights of 2006 included providing full legal services to Carrefour Marinopolous in the €12m construction of a five-star Holiday Inn in Sofia. The firm also contributed legislative proposals and a new Draft Act on Mortgages for the Cadastre and Register Agencies legislation review, financed by the World Bank.
