Competition/European Law: Greece (Band 1)
Top-drawer competition practice noted for representing both international and domestic clients in proceedings before the Hellenic Competition Commission. Additionally reputed for handling state aid issues. Increasingly active in private enforcement and regulatory compliance issues.
"The team has an in-depth knowledge of the competition field and how the Commission works," a client states, adding:"They know exactly what the Commission is looking for."
Clients also appreciate its commercial acumen: "They have the business sense of the case and can see the overall picture."
Work highlights
Recently defended a group of clients in the Greek poultry market, including Nitsiakos and Amvrosiadis, against allegations of horizontal anti-competitive agreements. Successfully appealed to the Athens Court of Appeal for a 90% reduction of the initial EUR40 million fine.
Representing LARCO in an appeal for the annulment of the Hellenic Competition Commission's decision ordering the recovery of EUR136 million of incompatible state aid.
Notable practitioners
Managing partner John Dryllerakis is a "very respected and well-known" practitioner with vast experience in the competition space. Clients benefit from his previous experience having served on the Hellenic Competition Commission. His recent work includes acting for Regency Entertainment, Hellenic Casino Parnitha and Athens Resort Casino on the recovery of EUR200 million in a case of alleged state aid. Peers say that he is "a legend in the Greek legal society."
Emmanuel Dryllerakis is a senior partner in the team with a practice spanning competition, M&A and corporate issues. He is noted for representing clients before the Hellenic Competition Commission and litigating before the administrative courts. Of late, he has been assisting Olympic Brewery with an abuse of dominance case. Clients describe him as "very sharp and very effective with a good knowledge of the law."
Cleomenis Yannikas assisted Odeon with allegations of abuse of economic dependence. Clients appreciate his wide-ranging experience before the Greek competition authorities, with one remarking: "His presence was helpful because he's well known to the Commission - they were careful to act appropriately as a result." Another commentator deems him as "very hard-working and a safe pair of hands."
Corporate/Commercial: Greece (Band 1)
Handles inbound and outbound M&A transactions across diverse economy sectors, assisting major foreign and local corporate names. Advises on both sides of domestic real estate transactions and boasts a strong track record in the hospitality sector. Has strong supporting competition law expertise, which is a strength in the cross-border deals the team is frequently instructed on.
Clients appreciate that the lawyers "give advice in a business-oriented and commercial way."
Interviewees highlight "the quality of their work, their credibility and their knowledge of local corporate law."
Work highlights
Advised Aegean Airlines on its planned acquisition of assets owned by the insolvent Cyprus Airways. Assisted Shiseido with the sale of its Greek subsidiary Shiseido Hellas to Folli Follie.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis has a superb reputation among peers as a hugely experienced partner who remains heavily involved in the firm's high-profile M&A transactions. Clients benefit from his additional experience in tax, dispute resolution and competition law. "He has a way of presenting his views that is helpful for us because it's clear, to the point and very quick," reports one interviewee.
Emmanuel Dryllerakis leads complex M&A and corporate mandates for Greek and international companies. "He has a business-oriented and commercial way of thinking," report clients.
Clients say that Cleomenis Yannikas "sees the details; you need someone like him who reads every paragraph very carefully and finds the small points." He plays a leading role on transactions in the energy, consumer goods and real estate sectors and is also a well-regarded competition expert.
Dispute Resolution: Greece (Band 1)
Market-leading firm with a heavy focus on litigation and arbitration work. Offers proven capabilities in diverse areas of civil and commercial litigation, with particular strength in contentious tax and competition matters. Senior partners act as arbitrators as well as counsel on domestic and international arbitrations. Also stands out for advice to companies facing fraud investigations.
Clients highlight the lawyers' excellent communication skills and report that they "understand the law in depth and they are very good at explaining things to the rest of us."
"Every time I ask them to have a call or to provide an opinion by tomorrow, I get it tomorrow," adds one impressed interviewee.
Work highlights
Represented Eurobank Leasing in an appeal before the Greek council of state relating to the tax treatment of complex sale and leaseback agreements. Acted for Minoan Lines on a dispute with a sea broker regarding an alleged breach of contract and bad faith.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis is respected among peers as a hugely experienced senior disputes lawyer. He plays a leading role in many of the firm's litigation and arbitration mandates, including high-value ICC arbitrations in which he is often appointed as arbitrator. Clients appreciate both his vast legal knowledge and that he "gives practical advice on how to deal with specific problems."
John Damilakis earns praise from peers for his handling of civil litigation topics. He oversees a variety of dispute mandates on behalf of Greek and international clients.
New to the rankings this year, Gerassimos Apergis handles a range of commercial and criminal litigation topics. A client says: "He is a fighter and nothing surprises him."
Interviewees describe senior associate Panagiotis Kakaletris as "knowledgeable, practical and efficient," adding: "He's very passionate about his work and gives swift responses." He plays a significant role in many of the firm's complex disputes including white-collar crime, product liability and contentious public contract cases.
Employment: Greece (Band 2)
Respected employment practice advising international and domestic clients across a range of industry sectors. Assists with matters ranging from employment due diligence to social security issues. Also offers expertise in data protection in employment law.
Work highlights
Advised KONE on a range of employment matters, including licensing and collective labour bargaining issues. Acted for Aquila Hotels on seasonal personnel employment issues.
Notable practitioners
Senior partner Sophia Grigoriadou is a well-respected individual with a practice spanning employment, real estate and tax issues. She gains praise from clients for being "a good negotiator." She recently advised Promod Hellas on redundancies in the run-up to the company's liquidation in Greece.
Real Estate: Greece (Band 2)
Well-known group reputed for handling complex and high-profile transactions in the real estate area. Noted for deep knowledge of zoning, planning, property use, permitting and licensing. Additionally, advises on tax and criminal investigation issues. Its roster of clients includes a range of entities from the retail and tourism sectors, particularly hotels.
The team's strong knowledge of the sector is highlighted by clients. “Their capabilities are excellent and they have in-depth knowledge of real estate,” reports a commentator, “They can come up with alternate solutions to deadlocks.”
Sources also note the team's practical approach. “They have a prevailing focus on identifying and pursuing a commercially useful and applicable solution.”
Work highlights
Advised Minoan Group on a large investment into the development of tourism in Greece with plans for a luxury holiday resort on Crete valued at EUR267 million. Represented Odeon in a litigation with a local cinema operator with regards to the building, installation and operation permits for a shopping centre and cinema complex.
Significant clients Aquila Hotels, Lampsa, Proprius, Regency Entertainment, Zeus International City Seasons Hotel.
Notable practitioners
Head of department Voula Anargyrou offers decades of experience of high-profile real estate transactions and disputes. According to commentators, she has “a very deep knowledge of the practice area.”
Sophia Grigoriadou has a strong track record in advising significant retailers and also acts on real estate-related privatisation. Market sources note that she “gives good advice to the client and is good with the contracting party” while clients also report that she “finds the best possible solution.” Her work has recently included handling lease termination issues related to the closing down of an H&M store in Thessaloniki.
Tax: Greece (Band 2)
A widely respected and long-established tax department with strong practical experience litigating before the administrative courts. Offers comprehensive advice on all aspects of tax law, including general tax advice, tax planning and criminal tax investigations.
Market sources repeatedly note the team's commerciality. "They understand the commercial importance of the matter," explains one interviewee, while another adds: "The firm takes a commercial approach."
Work highlights
Represented Eurobank in an appeal before the Supreme Administrative Court in relation to a dispute with the tax authority over advance tax. Advised Praktiker Hellas on a repeated tax audit after allegations of fraud have been raised against the company.
Notable practitioners
Managing partner and eminent practitioner John Dryllerakis has a wealth of experience in contentious and non-contentious tax matters. His recent work includes representing a major chemical company before court regarding the imposition of allegedly incorrectly calculated real estate transfer tax. "You can discuss everything with him, no problem," says an interviewee.
Sophia Grigoriadou is a highly respected tax lawyer who handles tax litigation and also assists with general tax matters. She recently represented Henkel Hellas in its corporate tax audit as well as a high-value litigation case before the Supreme Administrative Court.