Banking, finance and capital markets (Tier 2)

Dryllerakis Law Firm has strong expertise in transactional, regulatory and tax issues, advising public sector bodies such as the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund, as well as banks and borrowers. Recently, it advised Lampsa Hellenic Hotels on a €43m loan to finance its acquisition of the King George Hotel in Syntagma Square. Senior partner Emmanuel Dryllerakis heads the team, which also includes John Dryllerakis and Sophia Grigoriadou.

Commercial, Corporate and M&A (Tier 1)

Dryllerakis Law Firm is a popular choice for advice on ‘complex deals under difficult conditions’, thanks to its ‘business-oriented advice’ in finding ‘the best possible solutions’. Senior partner Emmanuel Dryllerakis brings ‘great knowledge of all legal matters’ and always provides ‘solid and firm legal solutions’, while managing partner John Dryllerakis and John Damilakis both ‘stand out’. Cleomenis Yannikas has a ‘very good knowledge of the law’ and is ‘very well structured and accurate in his legal advice’. A major highlight has been advising South Europe Gateway Thessaloniki, a joint venture between Deutsche Investment Equity Partners, Terminal Link and Balterra, whose €231m bid in the Greek government’s sale of a 67% stake in the port of Thessaloniki was successful. The firm also advised the Laskaridis Group on its €13.5m acquisition of a 30% stake in Athens Resort Casino.
Leading individuals: Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Next generation lawyers: Alice Damilakis

Dispute resolution (Tier 1)

Dryllerakis Law Firm is singled out for its ‘innovative thinking’ and its ability to ‘comfortably partner with American companies to produce a seamless team’. John Damilakis leads the team, which recently defended Unilever in a €14m dispute with a distributor. Other clients include Ferrovial, Henkel and Raytheon. Key lawyers include managing senior partner John Dryllerakis and the ‘very experienced and efficient’ Gerassimos Apergis. Panagiotis Kakaletris was recently promoted to partner.
Leading individuals: John Dryllerakis
Next generation lawyers: Panagiotis Kakaletris

EU and competition (Tier 1)

The ‘efficient and proficient’ team at Dryllerakis Law Firm has ‘excellent and in-depth knowledge of both EU and Greek competition law’. Emmanuel Dryllerakis‘ team benefits from the expertise of several leading individuals, including John C. Dryllerakis, whose ‘knowledge of the law and wisdom commands the respect of all’. Meanwhile, the ‘deeply conscientious’ John Damilakis has ‘deep knowledge beyond his age’. The firm has been representing Unilever on an an abuse of dominance case linked to the Greek margarine market. Cleomenis Yannikas is also highly recommended.
Leading individuals: Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Next generation lawyers: Sotiris Dempegiotis

Employment (Tier 1)

Dryllerakis Law Firm provides a top-notch service to its clients, encompassing high-end contentious support, as well as transactional and day-to-day advice. John Damilakis and Vassilis Constantinidis are the firm’s lead employment partners, with senior associate Anna Damilaki also specialising heavily in this area. The firm has been advising Henkel on collective redundancies and dismissals. Other active clients include Aquila Hotels, Iron Mountain, Thessaloniki Port Authority, and Air Liquide. Leading individuals: Vassilis Constantinidis

Energy (Tier 2)

At Dryllerakis Law Firm has a high-quality practice that, in addition to transactional and projects work, also covers significant regulatory and contentious issues. The team, which is led by Emmanuel Dryllerakis and includes Cleomenis Yannikas, acts for several major clients, including Hellenic Petroleum, Systems Sunlight and Larco.

Projects and privatisation (Tier 1)

Dryllerakis Law Firm has a long and distinguished track record in this area, and is often involved in the country’s largest matters. Recently, it advised the preferred bidding consortium on the €230m agreement for the privatisation of the port of Thessaloniki by HRADF. The firm is also advising Hellenic Casino Parnitha on the relocation of Casino MontParnes, a joint venture between Regency Entertainment and HRADF, from its mountaintop location to an urban site. Emmanuel Dryllerakis leads the team, which also includes Cleomenis Yannikas.

Real estate and construction (Tier 1)

Dryllerakis Law Firm is a top choice for complex projects and investments, having advised on major zoning schemes, corporate structures and financings. The firm is one of three advising Lamda Development on the €8bn Hellinikon urban regneneration project. It is also advising Hellenic Casino Parnitha on the relocation of the Casino Mont Parnes from its mountaintop location to an urban site. John Dryllerakis leads the team following the retirement of Voula Anargyrou.
Next generation lawyers: Maria Stoumpidi, Stella Yannika

Tax (Tier 1)

Dryllerakis Law Firm is ‘one of the most experienced tax law firms’ in the market, and is considered ‘very well-organised, with a deep knowledge of the complex Greek tax regime’. Managing partner John Dryllerakis is ‘one of the most respectable and revered tax lawyers in Greece’. The practice is well-versed in major tax disputes, as well as transactional structuring and VAT issues. Major clients include Eurobank, Diageo, Henkel and Danone. Sophia Grigoriadou is also highly recommended.
Leading individuals: John Dryllerakis, Sophia Grigoriadou
Next generation lawyers: Eleftherios Rantos

White Collar Crime (Tier 2)

Dryllerakis Law Firm has several litigation partners with strong expertise in this area, notably John Damilakis and Vassilis Constantinidis. The firm continues to defend the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund against civil and criminal claims concerning alleged embezzlement of funds in Proton Bank. Other major clients include Aegean Airlines, Henkel, Nutreco and Praktiker.