Kambourov & Partners’ team is ‘one of the best in the market for local work’, with practice head Yavor Kambourov, Vladimir Rangeloff, ‘pragmatic, quick-thinking’ litigator Emil Emanuilov and ‘excellent’ senior associate Yonko Hristov all singled out by clients. The firm is advising a number of global banks, including BNY Mellon, on the Bulgarian elements of insolvency and debt recovery mandates, and is acting for Bulgarian Development Bank in multiple issues related to the 2013 collapse of Corporate Commercial Bank.
Corporate & M&A
Kambourov & Partners is particularly strong in the retail and corporate real estate sectors; it recently advising AP Mart on the proposed merger of the Piccadilly and Carrefour store chains, having previously advised the Bulgarian investor on its acquisition of the former from Delhaize. The firm has also acted on major deals in the telecoms and life sciences sectors. Team head Vladimir Rangeloff and Veronika Hadjieva are the key figures.
Dispute Resolution
Recommended for banking and competition litigation, Kambourov & Partners’ ‘excellent’ team is led by Emil Emanuilov and includes senior associate Ivaylo Nikolov; both are ‘pragmatic quick thinkers’. Emanuilov is leading a team representing AP Mart (the Bulgarian owner of the Piccadilly retail chain) in a range of commercial, real estate and administrative arbitrations at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce. Dimitrina Petrova is another key contact
EU & Competition
Kambourov & Partners’ ‘fabulous’ team has ‘profound knowledge in the competition field’, and stands out for its ‘international outlook’. Team head Stefan Tzakov ‘combines years of experience with a brilliant strategic mind’; Nikolay Vasilchev is ‘a very strong regulatory lawyer’; and associates Elena Apostolova and Plamen Yotov are also singled out. The firm successfully defended consumer goods company Zora in an investigation by regulatory authorities alleging unfair competition and misleading advertising.
Energy & Natural Resources
Kambourov & Partners’ ‘strong sector know-how’ and ‘international outlook’ make it a natural choice for energy mandates. Its contentious work included defending the Bulgarian transmission operator ESO against multiple claims by renewables companies, while on the transactional side it advised Alpiq Ecopwer on its proposed acquisition of a wind farm servicing company. Team head Stefan Tzakov is ‘always straight to the point’
Real Estate
Kambourov & Partners combines expertise in the Bulgarian retail and leisure industry with equally strong credentials advising contractors on turn-key infrastructure projects. Highlights included advising Societa Appalto Lavori Pubblici regarding the construction of the Dobrich-Silistra gas pipeline, and assisting AP Mart with the management of a new portfolio following its acquisition of the Piccadilly store chain from Delhaize. Team head Atanas Shopov and Radosveta Kojuharova are recommended.
TMT
Kambourov & Partners attracts strong praise from an instructing international law firm, with the ‘client-oriented’ Mitko Karushkov singled out for his ‘excellent industry knowledge and high availability’. His team has been advising Vodafone on the potential implementation of new technologies in the Bulgarian market. Other work included advising FIAT Chrysler on the launch of its wireless ‘Uconnect’ service, alongside ongoing instructions from Nova Broadcasting Group and bTV Media Group.
