CHAMBERS EUROPE
Competition/European Law: Greece (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Dryllerakis & Associates has a top-tier competition practice representing well-established domestic clients in proceedings before the Hellenic Competition Commission and in appeals against HCC decisions. The department regularly acts for clients on 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 provide regulatory advice.
Strengths
"The lawyers have a full understanding of the commercial needs of the company; therefore their advice is always within a business context."
"They are always on time and you can always trust they will deliver."
"The responsiveness is very good."
"There is an excellent depth and breadth in the team."
Work highlights
Dryllerakis & Associates represented Regency Entertainment and Hellenic Casino Parnitha in their intervention before the European General Court to support the European Commission decision dismissing a state aid complaint filed by Casino Loutraki.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis 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 and abuse of dominance cases.
Emmanuel Dryllerakis’ practice covers contentious and non-contentious mandates, including behavioural investigations and appeals against HCC decisions in investigations and merger filings. He also assists clients with sector inquiries and the compliance aspects of franchise agreements.
Cleomenis Yannikas regularly represents clients in investigations into anti-competitive behaviour before the Hellenic Competition Commission and in appeals against HCC decisions before the administrative courts. His broad expertise also covers competition compliance, including assisting with issues around dawn raids and distribution networks.
Corporate/Commercial: Greece (Band 2)
What the team is known for
Dryllerakis & Associates is an Athens-based law firm home to an excellent corporate department. The team offers particular expertise handling M&A transactions, including the acquisition of energy and hospitality assets, spin-offs and large privatisations. Clients also benefit from the firm's strength 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 are very friendly and easy to approach. They are always able to help and react very quickly to our requests."
"They are very quick in responding and offer a high level of quality in their service."
Work highlights
Dryllerakis & Associates assisted the payment processing service provider Worldline with its acquisition of Cardlink.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis is highly regarded for his breadth of expertise in corporate and commercial law mandates across Greece.
"John Dryllerakis is a guru on corporate issues."
Emmanuel Dryllerakis 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 very responsive and always helpful."
"He is reliable and a valuable collaborator."
Cleomenis Yannikas 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 Yannikas is very responsive and excellent on corporate issues.”
Dispute Resolution: Greece (Band 1)
What the team is known for
Dryllerakis & Associates 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
"They are always ready to give the best solution, minimising any possible risk."
"Their ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters is of the highest calibre. Their legal acumen and adaptability is second to none."
Work highlights
Dryllerakis & Associates assisted Axioma with the enforcement of claims against reinsurance companies.
Notable practitioners
Senior lawyer John Dryllerakis boasts outstanding experience in commercial and administrative litigation. He is also frequently appointed as arbitrator.
"John Dryllerakis is one of Greece's most distinguished and experienced lawyers."
"He is a joy and a privilege to work with."
Vassilis Constantinidis offers advice on diverse matters including those linked to insolvency, competition law breaches or allegations of financial crimes.
"Vassilis Constantinidis is able to understand the business contexts and describe this to a judge. He is a great litigator."
Panagiotis Kakaletris 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 Kakaletris is responsible, clever and hard-working."
Tax : Greece (Band 2)
What the team is known for
Dryllerakis & Associates 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 disputes relating to share and property transfer tax, withholding tax, VAT refunds, stamp duty and customs issues. The team also assists with tax matters relating to corporate income tax.
Strengths
"The service level is excellent in all aspects and the responsiveness is really remarkable."
"Dryllerakis & Associates efficiently handles all cross-border issues that occur."
"The law firm has a wide understanding of the industry in which a client operates, and the lawyers take wider business considerations into account."
"It is a team of lawyers at various levels of seniority focusing on different areas of law, enhancing the depth and breadth of their collective capacity."
Work highlights
Dryllerakis & Associates assisted Eurobank with its tax audit conducted by the KEMEEP.
Notable practitioners
John Dryllerakis 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.
"He is a really state-of-the-art professional in all areas of tax consultancy."
"John Dryllerakis is an excellent lawyer with deep knowledge of the legal world and forward and creative thinking regarding the most effective approach to take."
Newly ranked lawyer Nikolaia-Anna Lepida has particular experience in contentious tax mandates, handling matters such as real estate and income tax, as well as indirect taxation issues.
"She is a lawyer with very good overall knowledge of tax issues. She also provides excellent support, and her awareness of the different aspects of cases is valuable."
"Nikolaia-Anna Lepida is our go-to person for tax law. She can navigate the complex tax legal framework in Greece with ease, being a reliable collaborator."
Eleftherios Rantos is a highly regarded lawyer who is active in both contentious and non-contentious cases relating to corporate income tax and transfer pricing.