Competition/European Law: Greece (Band 1)
What the team is known for. Top-tier competition practice representing both international and domestic clients in proceedings before the Hellenic Competition Commission. Regularly acts for clients on investigations and cases relating to cartels, abuse of dominance and vertical restraints. Additionally reputed for handling state aid issues. Also assists clients with merger control mandates, as well as antitrust compliance audits, programmes and training.
Strengths. A client describes the lawyers as "excellent," adding: "They have deep knowledge and are always available."
Work highlights. Advised Teka on a cartel investigation relating to an alleged bid rigging of a public tender.
Notable practitioners
Clients say that Cleomenis Yannikas "has great communication skills, is very punctual and has good competition law knowledge." He has experience assisting with a whole host of competition matters including abuse of dominance, vertical restraints, cartels and internal audits.
Head of department Emmanuel Dryllerakis has notable activity in an array of contentious and non-contentious competition matters, often relating to cartels, abuse of dominance, merger control and compliance advice. Clients describe him as "communicative and very methodical in his work."
John Dryllerakis is a highly revered practitioner with outstanding experience in the field. He has a broad practice covering abuse of dominance and state aid investigations and disputes.
Corporate/Commercial: Greece (Band 2)
What the team is known for. Strong practice acting for buyers and sellers on M&A transactions, both at a domestic and international level. Assists with due diligence, SPA and shareholder matters, joint ventures, establishing new companies and corporate governance mandates. Handles deals in a range of industries, particularly active in the hotel and hospitality sector. Clients benefit from the team's close collaboration with the firm's strong competition department.
Work highlights. Acted for Stoiximan on the divestment of a 51% stake in its Greek and Cypriot operations to OPAP.
Notable practitioners
Cleomenis Yannikas regularly advises clients on joint venture and transactional mandates, as well as assisting with setting up new companies and corporate compliance matters. One client says that "he has a deep knowledge of commercial law" and praises his "ability to respond immediately to our queries"
Emmanuel Dryllerakis has extensive experience advising clients on the acquisition and divestment of companies and shares. He also assists with establishing companies and corporate compliance mandates. Clients highlight his "strong and broad knowledge in corporate matters."
Lauded as "the guru of commercial law," John Dryllerakis receives a plethora of endorsements for his outstanding experience in corporate and transactional mandates. One client enthuses: "He is the most prominent individual in the legal market in Greece. He has unique business acumen, knowledge of all legal fields and combines excellent qualifications with a practical approach and response to the client. He is absolutely unique."
Dispute Resolution: Greece (Band 1)
What the team is known for. Market-leading firm handling both litigation and arbitration work. Advises on diverse commercial proceedings, with notable experience in disputes over the termination of distribution or agency agreements. Senior partners act either as arbitrators or as counsel on domestic and international arbitration. Advises on complaints to the Greek competition authority and handles contentious tax mandates. Also handles white-collar crime cases flowing from allegations of fraud or embezzlement.
Strengths. Clients appreciate the lawyers' "immediate response" and their "deep knowledge of the law."
Work highlights. Defended Minoan Lines in damages claims filed by a shipbroker.
Notable practitioners
Sources identify Gerassimos Apergis as a key figure in the firm's civil litigation practice. He has experience in contentious commercial matters on behalf of Greek and international companies.
Often lauded as a market-leading practitioner, John Dryllerakis has vast experience in litigation and arbitration. His practice covers a broad spectrum of fields, such as competition, tax and banking. "His knowledge in all legal matters is exceptional," states one interviewee.
Interviewees appreciate that John Damilakis is "very accessible" and further praise his "deep knowledge and practical approach." He handles disputes relating to the breach of public contracts or the termination of distribution agreements.
Clients describe Panagiotis Kakaletris as "very proactive and goal-oriented." He assists with disputes over the award or performance of public contracts. He also handles commercial litigation for clients hailing from a variety of sectors, including retail and telecommunications.
Tax: Greece (Band 2)
What the team is known for. Long-established department widely respected for its prowess in contentious tax proceedings, frequently litigating before the administrative courts. Offers comprehensive advice on the full gamut of disputes relating to share and property transfer tax, withholding tax, VAT refunds, stamp duty and customs issues. Also assists with tax matters relating to M&A and real estate transactions.
Strengths. Clients say: "They have excellent expertise in tax matters, for both advisory and contentious work."
Work highlights. Represented Eurobank before the Supreme Administrative Court in petitions for cassation against a ruling by the Administrative Court of Appeals relating to the refund of withholding tax.
Notable practitioners
Clients enthuse that John Dryllerakis "has super legal expertise but also a very commercial and pragmatic approach." He has unrivalled experience in tax litigation before the administrative courts, advising on the full spectrum of tax matters.