Competition/European Law
Dryllerakis & Associates (Band 1)
Basic facts about the department
- 3 partners
- 4 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for Representing domestic and international clients in many ongoing national investigations by the Hellenic Competition Commission, covering sectors such as manufacturing and retail. Also handles large-scale merger control cases and provides ongoing compliance and antitrust training to leading clients.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"These lawyers act as the client's partners by providing a high level of expertise, business understanding and focus."
"One of the leading Greek firms for competition law."
Work highlights Obtained unconditional merger clearance for Aegean Airlines, relating to the client's second attempt to acquire Olympic Air.
Notable practitioners Market commentators describe "authoritative" and "extremely respected" practitioner John Dryllerakis as an esteemed figure with decades of experience at the forefront of Greek competition law. He maintains an active litigation portfolio in the field.
Emmanuel Dryllerakis is a "capable and commercially minded" lawyer who leads many antitrust and abuse of dominance cases before the Greek competition authority and administrative courts. Lately, this included acting for Mythos Brewery, part of the Carlsberg Group, on an abuse of dominance matter.
Clients value Cleomenis Yannikas as a "prompt, flexible and accurate" lawyer who "does the job calmly." His recent activity included merger control matters, high-profile cartel proceedings and litigation to overturn competition fines.
Significant clients Barilla, Beiersdorf, Burlington, Henkel Group.
Corporate/Commercial
Dryllerakis & Associates (Band 2)
Basic facts about the department
- 4 partners
- 7 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for Highly recommended for M&A, corporate restructuring and joint ventures. Represents both international and domestic clients, and also advises on corporate compliance issues.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"The lawyers have a hands-on approach and always provide practical and efficient legal advice. They meet their deadlines and are flexible and on-call for urgent matters."
Work highlights Advised Aegean Airlines on its EUR71 million purchase of Olympic Air from Marfin Investment Group.
Acting for Aquila Hotels & Resorts in connection with its restructuring.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis "has a tremendous knowledge in almost every aspect of corporate law, is very skilful in negotiations and has a very good business sense," enthuse clients. Another source describes him as "one of the best lawyers in Greece."
Emmanuel Dryllerakis represents clients in complex corporate and commercial transactions. He has notable strength in corporate financing, commercial contracts and privatisations.
Sophia Grigoriadou draws praise for her strong negotiation skills and quick response times. She is adept at handling commercial contracts and M&A transactions. Tax is a further area of expertise.
Cleomenis Yannikas "has in-depth knowledge of commercial issues," report interviewees. His practice covers corporate/M&A as well as business contracts.
Significant clients Gazprom, KONE, Socar, Diageo, Loulis Mills.
Dispute Resolution
Dryllerakis & Associates (Band 1)
Basic facts about the department
- 3 partners
- 4 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for Prominent player in the market handling both litigation and arbitration. Market-leading performance in contentious commercial matters, as well as taxation and administrative disputes.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"The team is business oriented, they can assess the legal issues and break them down; they provide excellent advice."
Work highlights Represented Minoan Lines in defending a claim brought by a former sea broker concerning its alleged breach of contract.
Defended Greek Flame against an action filed against it by Adidas for damages unpaid debts.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis possesses substantial experience representing clients before the Supreme Administrative Court. He is skilled in handling corporate and tax disputes, and has also acted as arbitrator in two ICC arbitrations. Clients praise his "excellent know-how."
John Damilakis is described as "accurate, efficient and dutiful" by clients. He is regularly called upon to assist in civil and criminal litigation, and is an experienced arbitrator.
Significant clients Regency Entertainment, Larco, Shiseido, Hellenic Petroleum, ICC.
Employment
Dryllerakis & Associates (Band 2)
Basic facts about the department
- 2 partners
- 4 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for Provides long-term employment support to a number of local and international clients from a range of industries, as well as conducting due diligence of employment relationships in transactions. Boasts particular expertise in data protection issues relating to employment relationships.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients) "Consistently high quality - supportive, responsive and always to the point."
Work highlights Advised Olympic Air on contentious employment matters against ex-employees conducted in French and Italian courts.
Notable practitioners Clients praise the service of Sophia Grigoriadou: "She is very responsive, knowledgeable, helpful and down to earth." She is highlighted for her work advising international companies on domestic employment issues, notably employment disputes, tax and social security issues.
Significant clients Aegean Airlines, Aquila Hotels, Barilla, Cushman and Wakefield, Diageo Hellas.
Real Estate
Dryllerakis & Associates (Band 2)
Basic facts about the department
- 2 partners
- 5 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for Established presence with extensive knowledge of the complex tax elements of real estate transactions. Notably active on public tenders regarding lease or transfer of state-owned property, as well as the due diligence, structuring and project financing of real estate investments across Greece and the wider region.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"The lawyers are impressively good."
Work highlights Advised Eurobank Properties REIC on the purchase of two warehouses in Aspropyrgos Attica, including due diligence of the properties, negotiations and conclusion of the purchase contracts.
Notable practitioners Voula Anargyrou draws on decades of experience in the real estate and construction sector to oversee high-end assignments, such as assisting Lampsa with the tender for the long-term lease of a five star hotel in Thessaloniki. Impressed sources consider her a "very experienced, constructive and solution-oriented" practitioner.
Clients value Sophia Grigoriadou's "commercial, flexible and timely approach" when representing bidders in negotiations. She frequently advises on the tax considerations of property transactions, privatisation bids and public contracts.
Significant clients Aquila Hotels, Cushman and Wakefield, Minoan Group, Proprius.
Tax
Dryllerakis & Associates (Band 2)
Basic facts about the department
- 3 partners
- 6 other qualified lawyers
What the team is known for Established tax presence with experience of matters such as tax planning, transactional advice, and direct and indirect taxes. Sectors of expertise include shipping and airline tax, as well as real estate. Increasingly involved in tax litigation, including experience of criminal issues such as tax evasion and anti-money laundering cases.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"These lawyers are to the point and innovative, and are able to save us some money without compromising on the quality or strength of advice."
"This firm combines procedural and practical knowledge in an excellent way. The quality of the work is sterling, and the general atmosphere is very reassuring."
Work highlights Represented a client before the Supreme Court in relation to the taxation of dividends distributed by the client's affiliates. Assisted a large bank with appeals before the Administrative Court of Appeal concerning unresolved issues surrounding tax treatment of the bank's EU branches.
Notable practitioners Managing partner John Dryllerakis is a highly experienced and reputable tax lawyer, who offers experience of tax counselling and tax litigation.
Sophia Grigoriadou has wide-ranging expertise across Greek and international tax, and is increasingly prominent in the market for her activity on matters such as tax planning and litigation. Clients praise her "responsiveness, intuition, and very good technique at handling customers." Lately, Grigoriadou has advised numerous prominent clients on indirect tax matters, for instance recently assisting Diageo with its stamp tax duties.