Competition/European Law: Greece (Band 2)

What the team is known for

Dryllerakis Law Firm has a competition practice representing well-established domestic clients in proceedings before the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) and in appeals against HCC decisions. The department regularly acts for clients in investigations and cases relating to abuse of dominance, resale price maintenance and vertical restraints. The team also assists clients with state aid issues and is well equipped to assist clients with obtaining competition law clearance for proposed transactions.

Strengths

“Dryllerakis Law Firm are well versed in all aspects of competition law and have a solid team altogether for competition law cases.”

“Dryllerakis Law Firm performed outstandingly in terms of technical knowledge, business approach and responsiveness.”

“The lawyers are on top of economic developments and political realities in Greece and can advise strategically on the approach to a case.”

“All team members have profound knowledge and extensive experience in competition law matters.”

“The team has a very strong ability in complex matters.”

Work highlights

Dryllerakis Law Firm represented Elais-Unilever in an appeal against a fine imposed by the HCC for alleged abuse of dominance.

Notable practitioners

John Dryllerakis (Senior Statespeople) is a highly respected and much sought-after authority on competition law. He regularly represents clients before Greek and European courts in unlawful state aid cases and appeals against HCC fines.

“John Dryllerakis has been a leader in competition law in Greece for the last four decades.”

“John Dryllerakis is one of the top lawyers in Greece.”

Cleomenis Yannikas (Band 2) regularly represents clients in investigations into anti-competitive behaviour before the HCC and in appeals against HCC decisions before the administrative courts. His broad expertise also covers merger control filings and competition compliance, including assisting with commercial agreement and distribution network issues.

“Cleomenis Yannikas demonstrates great partner availability and client care, and is always efficient in providing comprehensive legal support.”

“He has excellent knowledge of the most complicated aspects of competition law and is a safe pair of hands.”

“He has excellent knowledge and a customer-oriented profile.”

Emmanuel Dryllerakis‘s (Band 2) practice covers contentious and non-contentious mandates, including representing clients in behavioural investigations and appeals against HCC decisions in investigations, as well as advising on merger filings. He also assists clients with sector inquiries.

“Emmanuel Dryllerakis has great business acumen and is a strategic thinker with clear expertise in competition law.”

“He is a top lawyer with a business approach.”

Corporate/Commercial: Greece (Band 2)

What the team is known for

Dryllerakis Law Firm is an Athens-based law firm that fields an excellent corporate department. The team offers particular expertise in handling M&A transactions, including the acquisition of energy and hospitality assets, spin-offs and large privatisations. Clients also benefit from the firm’s strengths in shareholder matters, due diligence and cooperation agreements, as well as joint venture set-ups. Its activity across the technology, real estate and energy sectors further illustrates the firm’s presence in the market and makes the firm particularly attractive to international clients.

Strengths

“The team at Dryllerakis have excellent technical skills and the specialised knowledge and expertise needed to solve complex and sophisticated matters. Their customer service is top level and the team are consistently available, helpful, reliable and responsive.”

“We receive a top class legal service. I would strongly recommend Dryllerakis.”

“The team at Dryllerakis has a high knowledge of corporate deals and a strong capacity for problem solving.”

Work highlights

Dryllerakis acted for Hellenic Petroleum on the sale of its 35% stake in DEPA Infrastructure.

Notable practitioners

John Dryllerakis (Senior Statespeople) is highly regarded for his breadth of expertise in corporate and commercial law mandates across Greece.

“John is very commercially oriented. He offers creative solutions and is very proactive, which helps us avoid problems.”

“John Dryllerakis has enormous experience and can handle even the most difficult cases.”

Cleomenis Yannikas (Band 2) is regularly involved in large privatisations and M&A transactions, especially in relation to the hospitality sector, with further expertise in investments and spin-offs.

“Cleomenis is an excellent professional in terms of knowledge, quality of services and responsiveness. He is able to handle complex situations.”

“Cleomenis has a great ability to make effective decisions under difficult conditions with his critical thinking and his analytical and problem-solving skills.”

“Cleomenis immediately understands what we need from a legal consultant and makes the process very clear.”

Emmanuel Dryllerakis (Band 2) advises on a variety of corporate and commercial transactions across Greece and other jurisdictions, including the acquisition of energy assets and the establishment of joint ventures.

“Emmanuel Dryllerakis is a great leader. He has the ability to build strong and loyal relationships with clients.”

“We have an excellent collaboration with Emmanuel.”

Dispute Resolution: Greece (Band 1)

What the team is known for

Dryllerakis Law Firm is a market-leading firm that handles both litigation and arbitration work. The law firm advises on diverse commercial proceedings, with notable experience in disputes over the termination of distribution and agency agreements, as well as contract breaches, damages and shareholder disputes. The firm’s senior partners act either as arbitrators or as counsel on domestic and international arbitration. The team further advises on complaints to the Greek competition authority and handles contentious tax mandates and white-collar crime cases flowing from allegations of fraud or embezzlement.

Strengths

“Dryllerakis are able to simplify sophisticated matters reasonably and thereby support the client’s position.”

“The team have a great understanding of where we stand in relation to our specific market and the commercial implications the different cases have for our business.”

“Their analysis is straight to the point and very well structured. The team have deep knowledge of the subject matter and they guide us in a very comprehensive way.”

Work highlights

Dryllerakis Law Firm defended Unilever against compensation and profit loss claims resulting from the termination of a distribution agreement.

Notable practitioners

Senior lawyer John Dryllerakis (Senior Statespeople) boasts outstanding experience in commercial and administrative litigation. He is also frequently appointed as arbitrator.

“One of the most renowned and respected lawyers in the country, John Dryllerakis is very caring and a wonderful individual overall.”

Panagiotis Kakaletris (Band 3) assists with disputes arising from the non-performance of contracts and the termination of other commercial agreements, as well as the violation of IP rights and shareholder disputes.

“Panagiotis has very good ideas and understands how to grasp complicated issues quickly.”

“We are absolutely satisfied with Panagiotis. He is a very strong lawyer in all dimensions.”

“Panagiotis possesses an extremely high level of awareness of the cases.”

Vassilis Constantinidis (Band 4) offers advice on diverse issues including those linked to commercial disputes, competition law breaches and employment litigation.

“I am always at ease when I know Vassilis is fighting my corner. He is very sophisticated, commercially minded, driven and always delivers.”

“Vassilis combines a high level of experience with a high level of service.”

“He has great experience, he knows the market very well and he can predict how cases will unfold.”

Employment: Greece (Band 3)

What the team is known for

Dryllerakis Law Firm maintains a noteworthy employment team which frequently acts alongside international law firms in the capacity of Greek local counsel. It provides guidance on the drafting of employment contracts and policies, including with regard to outsourcing and flexible working arrangements as well as the hiring of foreign nationals. The firm also assists with the termination of employment and the signing of labour agreements.

Strengths

“The depth and breadth of their team is truly impressive, demonstrating a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas. It’s a pleasure working with such a devoted and friendly team.”

“Dryllerakis Law Firm always provides high-level services, and whenever we have asked them for something they have always been very dedicated, fast and effective.”

Notable practitioners

Vassilis Constantinidis (Band 3) is well known and respected for his skills as a general commercial litigator, which he also deploys to great effect in employment disputes. He provides further counsel on non-contentious employment matters, including those relating to the implementation of collective agreements.

“He has an excellent knowledge of labour issues.”

“Vassilis is very responsive and good to work with.”

Tax :  Greece (Band 2)

What the team is known for

Dryllerakis Law Firm has a long-established department that is widely respected for its prowess in contentious tax proceedings, frequently litigating before the administrative courts. The law firm offers comprehensive advice on the full gamut of cases relating to real estate tax, VAT, stamp duty issues and general tax compliance. The team also assists with matters relating to corporate income tax.

Strengths

“Their team combines legal and tax knowledge with a strong business-oriented approach.”

service level is excellent in all aspects and the responsiveness is really remarkable.”

“Dryllerakis provide an excellent service and super fast responses.”

“They are very accommodating to clients’ schedules and agendas.”

Work highlights

Dryllerakis Law Firm represented the Piraeus Port Authority in a EUR10 million appeal to the Greek tax authorities.

Notable practitioners

John Dryllerakis (Senior Statespeople) leads the firm’s tax practice. He is a highly respected and much sought-after authority on tax law matters. He stands out for his unrivalled experience in litigation proceedings.

“John Dryllerakis is one of the most respected tax lawyers in the country.”

Eleftherios Rantos (Up and Coming) is a highly regarded lawyer who is active in both contentious and non-contentious cases relating to corporate income tax and transfer pricing.

“Eleftherios is an excellent professional with deep knowledge of the tax legislation and a remarkable business sense. We consider him a valuable business partner.”

Nikolaia-Anna Lepida (Up and Coming) has particular experience in contentious tax mandates, handling matters such as real estate and income tax, as well as indirect taxation issues.

“Nikolaia-Anna Lepida demonstrates a high level of sophistication and provides services always focused on the particular need of the client.”