Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2
John Dryllerakis heads Dryllerakis & Associates’ high-quality team, which was selected to advise the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF) on contentious and regulatory aspects of banking sector restructuring. The team also advised Aegean Airlines on a €71m share capital return to its shareholders. Sophia Grigoriadou is ‘an exceptional adviser’, who is ‘able to deal with complex matters where Greek law and international financing transactions can conflict with great practicality’.
Corporate and M&A Tier 1
Dryllerakis & Associates’ ‘excellent’ corporate practice is ‘a top-tier choice’ with a ‘fast and in-depth level of service’. The lawyers ‘have an excellent view of how things work in Greece’. Highlights included advising Aegean Airlines on its acquisition of Olympic Air from Marfin Investment Group. John Dryllerakis is ‘the driving force of the firm’, while Sophia Grigoriadou is ‘particularly pleasant to work with: always available, to the point and keeps a close watch on work performed by her associates’.
Dispute resolution Tier 1
Dryllerakis & Associates provides ‘legal services of the highest level’ with ‘a reasonable value, considering the reputation of the firm’. The firm, which is very well regarded for international arbitration and litigation, has been representing Regency Entertainment in disputes before the European Court linked to the privatisation of the Mont Parnes Casino. John Dryllerakis has an excellent reputation, and John Damilakis and Gerassimos Apergis are ‘excellent as characters and colleagues’.
EU and competition Tier 1
Dryllerakis & Associates is ‘an excellent firm’ for EU and competition advice. John Dryllerakis has a superb reputation, while Cleomenis Yannikas has a good ‘understanding of how business decisions are taken’. Recently the firm advised Mythos Brewery as claimant in an abuse of dominant position case against Athenian Brewery.
Employment Tier 2
Dryllerakis & Associates has ‘an amazing team’ of lawyers who ‘work with exceptional professionalism’ and ‘advise with a great sense of responsibility’ on redundancy and collective bargaining issues. Clients include Olympic Air, Dr. Oetker Hellas and Aquila Hotels. John Damilakis and Sophia Grigoriadou are recommended.
Energy Tier 2
Dryllerakis & Associates has ‘a rare combination of knowledge, expertise and ability to practise the law at competitive rates’. Recently it advised SOCAR as successful bidder in the privatisation of Greece’s natural gas transmission company DESFA. John Dryllerakis has ‘deep knowledge, understanding and experience’, and John Damilakis is also ‘experienced and knowledgeable’.
Projects and privatisation Tier 1
Dryllerakis & Associates’ practice is ‘excellent all-round’, and fields ‘professional, knowledgeable and easygoing’ lawyers. It advised SOCAR on its successful bid to acquire a 66% stake in the privatised DESFA, Greece’s gas transmission system operator, a deal which has been postponed pending EC investigation. Cleomenis Yannikas, John Dryllerakis and Sophia Grigoriadou are recommended, particularly for their ‘personal integrity’.
Real estate and construction Tier 1
Dryllerakis & Associates provides ‘high-quality people and good value for money’. The firm advised Minoan Group on the €267m development of a six-star holiday and golf resort. Voula Anargyrou has ‘significant in-depth knowledge of the issues’, and Sophia Grigoriadou is a highly rated ‘deal-maker’ with a ‘very high knowledge in real estate retail sector deals’.
Tax Tier 2
Dryllerakis & Associates is ‘one of the best firms’ for tax with ‘an excellent overall service’ and ‘an excellent understanding of European legislation’. The firm has recently advised clients such as Henkel Hellas, Diageo and Aegean Airlines on their related matters. Sophia Grigoriadou provides ‘a broad view of tax and legal risks’ and has a very good reputation for advising on transfer pricing issues. John Dryllerakis is ‘an expert in tax law and an excellent counsellor’.