Banking, finance and capital markets (Tier 3)
The practice at Dryllerakis & Associates is fronted by Emmanuel Dryllerakis, whose core strengths include NPLs, corporate and project finance, and intricate financial structures. His team includes recently made-up partner Stella Yannika, who demonstrates noteworthy expertise in security and bank loan agreements, as well as convertible bonds and syndicated loans. The department has been particularly active in hotel-related financing matters of late and is also extremely well versed in capital control mandates.
Practice head(s): Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Other key lawyer(s): Stella Yannika
Commercial, Corporate and M&A (Tier 2)
Dryllerakis & Associates provides ‘quick and accurate advice on a wide range of topics’, including shareholders' agreements and disputes, M&A and related due diligence, and joint ventures. Managing partner John Dryllerakis is extensively experienced in M&A, investment incentives and privatisations; Aliki Damilakis handles corporate agreements, consumer protection matters and day-to-day corporate advice; and Cleomenis Yannikas has expertise in M&A and shareholders' disputes. The department is headed by Emmanuel Dryllerakis, who has notable strengths in corporate finance and restructuring, among other matters. The oil, food, cosmetics, leisure and renewable energy sectors are among the team's foremost areas of activity.
Leading individuals: Emmanuel Dryllerakis, Cleomenis Yannikas
Hall of Fame: John Dryllerakis
Next Generation Partners: Aliki Damilakis
Practice head(s): Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Other key lawyers: John Dryllerakis; Aliki Damilakis; Cleomenis Yannikas
Testimonials
‘Outstanding level of service. Excellent results. Business acumen and industry knowledge, appropriate advice, strength in depth and value for money. Clear and concise explanations. Deep understanding of the customer and tailor-made solutions specific to our needs.’
‘John Dryllerakis provides good judgment, expertise, responsiveness, creativity, research skills, communication skills and availability.’
‘Emmanuel Dryllerakis stands out for his knowledge, analytical skills and logical thinking.’
‘They provided total commitment in a very demanding and complex transaction, and quick and accurate advice on a wide range of topics. All the team members dedicated to our projects worked in total coordination and alignment amongst themselves and they also had an excellent cooperative spirit with our internal team members.’
‘They have a wide diversity in the topics they can handle, making them one of the best one-stop-shop legal firms.’
‘The team members are highly skilled, very clever and knowledgeable, with a problem-solving spirit and cooperative attitude, and are totally trustworthy.’
‘The team has extensive knowledge and experience and is always eager to assist us.’
‘The individuals that we have worked with are highly experienced, very professional and eager to assist their clients. We have found that Cleomenis Yannikas has assisted us eagerly and effectively when his serviceshave been required.’
Dispute resolution (Tier 1)
Dryllerakis & Associates brings a ‘deep knowledge of Greek and international law’ to a range of disputes. Its areas of expertise encompass business disputes before the civil courts, and private and public enforcement matters in the administrative courts, as well as tax, antitrust, agency, public procurement and distribution-related proceedings. Department head John Damilakis acts as both an advocate and an arbitrator, with specialist knowledge of M&A, employment and corporate litigation, while managing senior partner John Dryllerakis is vastly experienced in litigation before the Supreme Court and in domestic and international arbitration. Civil, business and unfair competition litigation expert Gerassimos Apergis and Panagiotis Kakaletris are also key contacts.
Hall of Fame: John Dryllerakis
Next Generation Partners: Gerassimos Apergis; Panagiotis Kakaletris
Practice head(s): John Damilakis
Other key lawyers: John Dryllerakis; Gerassimos Apergis; Panagiotis Kakaletris; Vassilis Constantinidis; Maria Stoumpidi
Testimonials
‘Their response time when issues are raised by the client is great.’
‘They all possess great and in-depth knowledge of their areas of expertise. They are fast in the delivery of their work. They are reachable at all times, something that is fundamental to the building of long-lasting business relationships with their customers.’
‘What makes Dryllerakis & Associates one of the leading firms and their practice unique is the partners’ and associates’ combination of experience and efficiency.’
‘They are highly professional with a deep knowledge of Greek and international law, very committed to their purpose, hard workers, great communicators and also good listeners.’
‘Quick to grasp and understand in depth the business intricacies of the industry. Clear and precise drafting of legal arguments. Efficient time management. Responsive at short notice.’
‘Great commercial focus and acute business understanding.’
‘Outside-the-box thinking. Great litigation skills. Excellent analysis andunderstanding of the client’s business and commercial needs. Specific experience in the FMCG sector.’
‘Very good experience and successes in litigation and consultancy activities. Experienced staff in many fields of law.’
Employment (Tier 2)
Acclaimed for its ‘very skilled’ team, which is 'able to explain complex situations in an easily understandable way’, Dryllerakis & Associates is home to leading expertise on a number of employment fronts. Examples of its work include employment-related due diligence in the context of M&A projects, expatriates’ issues and collective labour matters, including trade union negotiations. John Damilakis fronts the department, which includes Vassilis Constantinidis, a specialist in HR issues such as employment contracts, employer’s handbooks and code of conduct policies. The client roster includes several high-profile multinationals which look to the group for advice on Greek employment law, group dismissals, employee background checks, benefits and transfers, among many other affairs.
Leading individuals: Vassilis Constantinidis
Practice head(s): John Damilakis
Other key lawyers: Vassilis Constantinidis
Testimonials
‘Very productive and cooperative. The team is very skilled. Their English communication skills are very good, which is important for us as an international company.’
‘Able to explain complex situations in an easily understandable way.’
Energy (Tier 2)
Dryllerakis & Associates primarily focuses on the renewable energy market, though it is also extremely adept in the oil, natural gas and electricity sectors. Emmanuel Dryllerakis leads the department, leveraging his long-established capability for complex M&A, competition, financing and privatisation matters. Alongside Cleomenis Yannikas, he is currently acting for Hellenic Petroleum in the sale of its 35% stake in DEPA Infrastructure, a state-owned gas distribution network currently subject to an extremely high-profile privatisation. Other key strengths include RES projects, energy-related due diligence, environmental work and tender procedures.
Practice head(s): Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Other key lawyers: Cleomenis Yannikas, Maria Stoumpidi
Testimonials
‘In particular, I would recommend the team for the education and knowledge level of its lawyers, their experience levels and the good atmosphere of cooperation they provide.’
‘They work with great interest and willingness.’
EU and competition (Tier 1)
Clients hail Dryllerakis & Associates for its ‘deep knowledge of competition law and regulation, at both an EU and a national level’. The team demonstrates proven prowess in prominent cartel and abuse of dominance cases before the HCC, and also thrives in merger control matters. In addition, the department offers day-to-day antitrust compliance advice, with a particular emphasis on distribution contracts and cooperation schemes. It has also worked closely with several international law firms of late to develop its antitrust advisory practice while also expanding its presence in the field of antirust private enforcement. Emmanuel Dryllerakis leads the department and is closely supported by managing partner John Dryllerakis, a leading authority in this space who previously served as a regular member of the HCC. Cleomenis Yannikas is a further name of note, particularly for antitrust matters before the HCC. The team also advises on state aid.
Leading individuals: Cleomenis Yannikas
Hall of Fame: Emmanuel Dryllerakis;John Dryllerakis
Practice head(s): Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Other key lawyers: John Dryllerakis; Cleomenis Yannikas
Testimonials
‘Cleomenis Yannikas is recommended.’
‘The team has a very strong combination of deep knowledge of competition law and regulation, at both an EU and a national level, and a focus on results, giving it a strong business approach without risking the compliance aspect. Working with them you know that you will receive solid legal advice and support combined with strong business understanding and practical solutions.’
‘The team members are very responsive and always available, giving at the same time a high quality advise and support’
‘Knowledge and experience.’
‘Quality and stability.’
‘Experience and diligence in dealing with problems.’
‘Cleomenis Yannikas, as always, remains a very safe pair of hands for all matters of competition law and litigation.’
Intellectual Property (Tier 3)
Lawyers of Dryllerakis & Associates are noted for their ‘depth of legal knowledge' and 'business-orientated solutions’. Headed by Aliki Damilakis, the practice routinely handles the registration, enforcement, renewal and cancellation of patents, industrial designs and trade marks, both nationally and internationally. Copyright law, specifically in relation to computer software, music, art, audio recordings and data, is a further forte of the practice, which also counts technology licensing agreements, patent searches and IP-related due diligence among its core areas of expertise.
Practice head(s): Aliki Damilakis
Other key lawyers: Anna Damilakis
Testimonials
‘Very professional.’
‘Quick responses, business-oriented legal solutions, availability, experience and excellent results.’
‘Availability, depth of legal knowledge, great communication and analytical skills. Aliki Damilakis and Anna Damilakis are the standouts.’
‘There is immediacy in the service and guidance.’
Projects and privatisation (Tier 2)
Drylllerakis & Associates has a well-documented history of acting on behalf of both the Greek government and candidate investors in high-end privatisation projects. Department head Emmanuel Dryllerakis is a standout name in this space and is closely supported by energy privatisation specialist Cleomenis Yannikas and associate Themelis Zamparas, who focuses on project financings in the hospitality sector. In a market-leading highlight, the team has been engaged by Hellenic Petroleum to support on the sale of its 35% ownership in DEPA Infrastructure, a natural gas distribution network which is undergoing privatisation and is currently jointly owned by the client and the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund.
Leading individuals: Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Practice head(s): Emmanuel Dryllerakis
Other key lawyers: Cleomenis Yannikas; Themelis Zamparas
Real estate and construction (Tier 1)
The ‘absolutely excellent’ lawyers at Dryllerakis & Associates are go-to names for developments, project finance, zoning, planning, tax, permitting and licensing matters, and also specialise in investments in Greece and the wider Balkans region. Maria Stoumpidi holds a notable track record in significant development projects while Stella Yannika is routinely engaged for project finance schemes, transactions and leasing matters. The pair jointly head the practice, which represents several prominent names in the hotel, tourism and retail sectors and has carved out a distinguished reputation for advising foreign investors on the acquisition of luxury secondary homes in Greece.
Rising Stars: Maria Stoumpidi
Next Generation Partners: Stella Yannika
Practice head(s): Maria Stoumpidi; Stella Yannika
Other key lawyers: Eleftherios Rantos; Panagiotis Georgiopoulos
Testimonials
‘The legal training of all is absolutely excellent, which is perhaps self-evident or expected. But the way they deal with each theme and analyse it until they reach and highlight the nub of the matter is unique. Most of the time when we have engaged them, we have concluded that the legal problem was not the one we initially thought it was. This perfectly rational way of analysing and re-synthesising the issues is common, in my experience, to everyone I have worked with.’
‘Stella Yannika is absolutely excellent.’
‘Stella Yannika worked very efficiently and closely with us and the counterparty’s lawyer, and the issues we worked on were very carefully assessed and resolved.’
Tax (Tier 1)
The team at Dryllerakis & Associates has expertise across all fields of tax affairs, including tax advice, planning, disputes, accounting law and tax-related white-collar crimes. Managing partner John Dryllerakis, hailed by one client as ‘the most senior and acknowledged Greek lawyer', fronts the department and is supported by VAT and EU tax law expert Eleftherios Rantos, who is well versed in contentious proceedings at all levels, including the Supreme Administrative Court. The group works closely with Baker McKenzie on multi-jurisdictional matters, especially transfer pricing, and represents clients from a range of industries, including finance, oil and gas, real estate, leisure and entertainment, telecoms, transport, and food and beverages. At the junior end, senior associate Nikolaia-Anna Lepida is 'truly proficient' in corporate and indirect tax while Dimitris Karavas is active on the contentious front.
Leading individuals: John Dryllerakis
Rising stars: Dimitris Karavas; Nikolaia-Anna Lepida
Next Generation partners: Eleftherios Rantos
Practice head(s): John Dryllerakis
Other key lawyers: Eleftherios Rantos; Ioannis Papadakis; Nikolaia-Anna Lepida; Dimitris Karavas
Testimonials
‘The team stands out for its business acumen and industry knowledge, appropriate advice, strength in depth, and clear and concise explanations.’
‘Expert knowledge, responsiveness, efficiency.’
‘The practice is high-level and absolutely reliable.’
‘What sets them apart is their practical and business approach to any issue. Apart from legal knowledge, it is important to have somebody that can understand the business perspective and the client’s point of view. This is something which is hard to find. The other advantage is that they are always available and will respond to any query promptly.’
‘The main difference I would say is the communication and availability. Also their long-term goal of providing quality services.’
‘They act with professionalism, effectively, and always plan every step.’
‘The heart of the firm is John Dryllerakis, who undoubtedly can be considered nowadays as the most senior and acknowledged Greek lawyer. His knowledge is profound, spanning from M&A to PPPs and from competition to tax. In this respect, I think that he is the number one tax practitioner in Greece, while many of today’s senior legal tax experts have started their careers alongside him.’
‘Nikolaia-Anna Lepida is a truly proficient legal practitioner and Dimitris Karavas is a legal talent who I think will create his own legacy in years to come.‘
White Collar Crime (Tier 2)
At Dryllerakis & Associates, the team’s ‘expertise, in-depth knowledge and holistic approach is profound’ for clients relying on the group for assistance in cases concerning market abuse, insider dealings, money laundering and other financial fraud, in addition to corruption and unfair competition proceedings. The department is jointly headed by Gerassimos Apergis and Vassilis Constantinidis.
Practice head(s): Gerassimos Apergis; Vassilis Constantinidis
Testimonials
‘The firm’s expertise, in-depth knowledge and holistic approach is profound. The practitioners are available 24/7.’
‘What sets the firm apart, beyond the deep knowledge of the team members, is the comfort they offer to their clients, especially in high-stakes cases, something that stems from the proficiency, 360-degree approach and profound ownership (beyond the typical client mandate) they demonstrate on each case.’