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
"The firm has in-depth expertise in the area and has been involved in seminal cases in Greece showcasing its excellence both from a plaintiff's and defendant's perspective," states an impressed interviewee.
"Their services are simply excellent," confirms a client who also finds the lawyers to be "easy to reach and very effective."
Work highlights
Advised Attica Bank on the Hellenic Competition Commission's investigation into alleged anti-competitive agreements with Interbanking Systems (DIAS).
Notable practitioners
The "very practical" Cleomenis Yannikas regularly represents clients before the Hellenic Competition Commission and administrative courts. His broad expertise covers abuse of dominant position, dawn raids and distribution networks.
Head of department Emmanuel Dryllerakis commands respect for his extensive knowledge in the field. His practice covers contentious and non-contentious competition mandates, including vertical restraints, antitrust compliance audits and public tenders.
John Dryllerakis is a highly respected and much sought-after authority on competition law, with one client enthusing that "he is really spectacular." He regularly represents clients before Greek and European courts in unlawful state aid and abuse of dominance cases
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, shareholder matters, corporate spin-offs, establishing new companies and corporate restructuring mandates. Handles deals in a range of industries, with particular activity in the hotel and hospitality sector. Clients benefit from the team's close collaboration with the firm's strong competition department.
Strengths
The firm is valued for its "dedication, support and out-of-the-box thinking" by its clients.
Another source highlights the "accessibility and accuracy of the legal opinion" of the team's members.
Work highlights
Acted for Hellenic Petroleum on the sale of its 35% stake in DEPA Infrastructure.
Notable practitioners
According to sources, Cleomenis Yannikas is "always up to date" and "gives good, concise advice." Yannikas is further praised for being "a hard-working and efficient lawyer." He assists clients with corporate compliance matters and is regularly involved in company set-ups as well as in large M&A and privatisation deals.
Head of the department Emmanuel Dryllerakis has a strong reputation for his corporate practice, assisting companies from a range of sectors with cross-border transactions and boardroom advice. Clients appreciate his broad knowledge and ability "to coordinate and assign tasks efficiently."
Acknowledged as a "remarkable" practitioner in the Greek market, John Dryllerakis wins plaudits for his outstanding experience in corporate and commercial matters. "He has a vast and holistic knowledge of the law," a client confirms, adding that "his experience is more than valuable and he can always understand the business aspects of any issue."
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.
The firm's "efficient and reliable" lawyers attract praise as "they have great knowledge and do their best to meet clients' needs."
One interviewee describes the team as "effective" and confirms that "the results it brings are always excellent."
Work highlights. Defended Raytheon Technologies against a EUR9 million claim for loss of profit relating to the termination of an agency agreement.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis boasts outstanding experience in commercial and administrative litigation. He is also frequently appointed as arbitrator. Clients value his technical knowledge and see him as "extremely helpful," adding: "He is up to date on every matter; even if something just came out yesterday he will already know about it."
Department head John Damilakis has broad experience in the dispute resolution field. His practice covers both civil law litigation and arbitration.
Respondents report that Panagiotis Kakaletris is "able to analyse and explain complex legal topics in a very understandable and comprehensive way." He assists with disputes arising from the non-performance of construction contracts, the termination of other commercial agreements or the violation of IP rights.
Vassilis Constantinidis enters the rankings as a result of market recognition for his experience in diverse proceedings, including those linked to insolvency, competition law breaches or allegations of financial crimes. He is praised by clients for his "analytical thinking, great litigation skills and understanding of our business rationale."
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 corporate income tax.
Work highlights. Represented PAOK FC before the Administrative Court of Appeals in a case pertaining to withheld tax from its athletes' wages.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis is a highly respected and much sought-after authority on tax law matters. He stands out for his unrivalled experience in litigation and arbitration proceedings.