1 December 2012

Chambers Europe

The recently published 2012 edition of Chambers Europe says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Corporate/Commercial

THE FIRM

This dynamic firm continues to impress clients with its responsiveness, flexibility and commercial astuteness. The firm is a leader in the energy sector and frequently undertakes regulatory work and project financing, with an increasingly visible footprint in corporate and M&A. The firm has assisted on a diverse range of projects including advising the Ministry of Finance on certain issues and acting for NEL lines on a EUR70 million share capital increase.

Sources say

“The firm has the flexibility that is necessary to provide efficient results for international clients.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS

Managing partner Yannis Kelemenis is hailed as a rising star on the Greek legal scene, with clients mentioning that he “understands how clients work and can really understand our problems. He is really commercial.”

Dispute Resolution 

THE FIRM

This growing firm has created a strong name for itself advising on commercial disputes in the energy, leisure, insurance and pharmaceuticals sectors. The firm is expanding its international client base and is attracting more cross-border mandates, advising internationals such as GE and Metaxa. Recent highlights include acting for Chevron’s lubricants subsidiary on all its claims filed in Greece, and representing travel operator Thomas Cook in the enforcement of a British-issued payment order.

Sources say

“Our collaboration was smooth; the team anticipates things and gives realistic deadlines.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS

Yannis Kelemenis is “a seasoned lawyer with excellent case management skills,” clients say. He recently acted for Bond Pearce in an insurance dispute issued by the English High Court.

Energy

THE FIRM

This dynamic team enters the rankings thanks to its strong performance and excellent market feedback. The seven-member group covers all aspects of energy law, and has a particularly strong reputation for its regulatory practice. It works with national and international investors, as well as drafting the new law transposing EU directives into Greek legislation for the Greek Ministry of Energy and Environment in 2011. Other clients include major domestic and international corporates such as the Greek Public Gas Corporation (DEPA), Endesa, Veolia and Chevron.

Sources say

“Excellent in terms of quality of the work and very solid knowledge of European legislation and how to implement it in Greece.” “A smooth collaboration, the team anticipates your needs and gives realistic deadlines.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS

Yannis Kelemenis has made a strong name for himself in this field, especially on mandates relating to wind farms and solar plants. He is praised across the board, with sources commenting: “His involvement in energy is very intimate and his knowledge is excellent. He is one of the experts on energy.”

Tax

The tax team of Kelemenis & Co is praised for its tax know-how. The team has recently experienced an increase in transfer pricing and tax compliance work.

Chambers Global

The recently published 2012 edition of Chambers Global says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Corporate /Commercial

Managing partner Yannis Kelemenis is hailed as a rising star on the Greek legal scene, with clients saying that he “understands how clients work and can really understand our problems. He is really commercial.”

Dispute Resolution 

Yannis Kelemenis is “a seasoned lawyer with excellent case management skills,” clients say. He recently acted for Bond Pearce in an insurance dispute issued by the English High Court. Other significant clients include Chevron and the Greek branch of GE.

IFLR 1000

The recently published 2012 edition of IFLR 1000 says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Kelemenis was identified last year as a firm to watch and has since continued its steady growth, further strengthening its team with new associates. “Kelemenis have just surfaced, we know them. We see them as competition,” says one partner, while another references the firm’s ambition: “Kelemenis market themselves very strongly and are very internationally-minded.”

Clients do also seem more than satisfied, as one comments: “They are always available, exceptional client service. These people work super hard,” while another adds: “We only started to use Kelemenis about two years ago but you would go a long way to find another firm that is in their league.”

The project finance team at the firm has been involved in a lot of energy-related work this year, a major trend within that market. They advised Sunpower, a global player in solar panel production, on its contracts in Greece and also acted for the Greek Gas Corporation and its transport subsidiary in relation to regulatory advice.

The firm’s biggest deal though came in the markets, advising a confidential client on the share capital increase of NEL Lines, a ferry company, and the engagement of new stakeholders in the company. The eventual deal was worth €70 million and closed in January 2011.

Partner Yannis Kelemenis is active across a number of areas in the firm and is very well spoken-of by clients. “Yannis Kelemenis is one of the best tactical litigators. Also, his style is very calm and very thorough and clients gain an instant sense of being in very good hands,” comments one.

Legal 500

The recently published 2012 edition of Legal 500 says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Energy

Yannis Kelemenis is well regarded for his energy work, whether it be on renewables or oil, gas and power. The firm has helped the Greek Ministry for Energy and the Environment on the drafting of EU-compliant Greek electricity and natural gas legislation. Sunpower and the DEPA are also clients.

Banking, finance and capital markets

Restructurings and refinancings have been high on the agenda at Kelemenis & Co, which primarily acts for borrowers. Recently it represented Kleva Pharmaceuticals on its debt restructuring.

Corporate and M&A

Kelemenis & Co has a very strong following in the energy sector, where it advised the co-main shareholder in Aegean Power on acquiring the other 50% stake from NYSE-listed Aegean Marine Petroleum. Other clients include Chevron and Aquis Hotels & Resorts.

Dispute resolution

Kelemenis & Co handles all litigation for Chevron’s lubricants subsidiary in Greece. It also represented the Greek brewer Atalanti, a former distributor for Anheuser-Busch InBev in several claims exceeding €4m against its former business partner.

EU and competition

Kelemenis & Co recently advised Expedia on EU health and safety regulations relating to the operation of Greek hotels.

Employment

The team at Kelemenis & Co maintains an active employment law practice and recently advised General Electric in Greece on labour law compliance issues.

Intellectual property

Kelemenis & Co assisted Hellas Power with the filing and registration of new trade marks following its takeover and name change from Aegean Power.

Projects and privatisation

Kelemenis & Co handles energy sector privatisation and projects work. It is advising the Greek Public Gas Corporation on all regulatory and EU issues relating to its pending privatisation, and solar panel manufacturer Sunpower in a joint venture with the Greek Public Power Corporation for the mass construction of solar panels.

Tax

Kelemenis & Co is recommended for tax litigation and advisory work. It recently advised Chevron on tax compliance as well as the retrieval of over €700,000 of refunds that were frozen by the Ministry of Finance.

World Tax

The recently published 2012 edition of World Tax says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

The tax team at Kelemenis & Co provides a wide range of tax advice, including M&A, transfer pricing, indirect tax and corporate finance. This year the group has been advising Youtravel.com, an online tourism company, on a broad range of tax issues including indirect tax and transfer pricing issues. The group also advised the group on its cross-border restructuring.

Other work this year includes advising the sportswear manufacturer Champion Europe on the tax implications of various commercial agreements and working with Chevron Hellas Petroleum and Chevron Marine Products on their cross-border restructuring.