1 December 2014

Chambers Europe

The recently published 2014 edition of Chambers Europe says the following about Kelemenis & Co.

Corporate/Commercial

What the team is known for

Has developed a solid reputation for its corporate and commercial work, acting for domestic and international clients. Covers a variety of topics including M&A, venture capital and joint ventures.

Work highlights

Advises Colliers International on legal matters relating to its Greek subsidiary.

Notable practitioners

Firm founder and managing partner Yannis Kelemenis has much experience of advising clients from the energy and natural resources sector on corporate and commercial matters. He also litigates and acts on corporate fraud mandates.

Employment

What the team is known for

Strong reputation for restructurings and associated terminations, as well as tax and social security issues. Acts for domestic and international companies on Greek and cross-border employment mandates.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

“The team is always responsive and doesn’t leave matters unattended. It supported us very well in court, too.”

“The lawyers provide advice that is consistent, comprehensive and to the point within very tight deadlines.”

Significant clients

Aquis, Chevron, GE, SunPower, Meeting Point.

Energy & Natural Resources

What the team is known for

Broad client base including public and private companies, financial institutions and governmental organisations. Noted for its expertise in project finance, transactional and regulatory matters.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

“The team is punctual, responsive and provides clear advice.”

“The firm is very reliable and co-operative.”

Work highlights

Acted for China Development Bank on all aspects of two project finance facilities for photovoltaic plants.

Advised LAGIE on the regulatory legal framework concerning its operation.

Notable practitioners

Yannis Kelemenis has considerable experience in energy and natural resources mandates. Clients describe him as “a top lawyer, with good management skills and knowledge of the sector.” Significant clients Chevron, GE, Southern Coal, Sunpower, DEPA.

Dispute Resolution

Yannis Kelemenis of Kelemenis & Co is a noted litigator, with particular expertise in corporate and energy disputes.

Tax

The team at Kelemenis & Co advises domestic and foreign clients on tax and related corporate and employment issues. Sources say: “They provide very clear advice and are familiar with issues throughout South-East Europe.”

Chambers Global

The recently published 2014 edition of Chambers Global says the following about Kelemenis & Co.

Corporate/Commercial

Firm founder and managing partner Yannis Kelemenis has much experience of advising clients from the energy and natural resources sector on corporate and commercial matters. He also litigates and acts on corporate fraud mandates.

Dispute Resolution

Yannis Kelemenis of Kelemenis & Co is a noted litigator, with particularexpertise in corporate and energy disputes.

IFLR 1000

The recently published 2014 edition of IFLR 1000 says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Kelemenis & Co is best known for its work on corporate matters specifically in the energy and leisure industries; however, the firm has been making a concerted effort to break into the financing space in the last few years. There is evidence that this is working and a stream of mandates from the likes of China Development Bank and Alpha Bank is a good base from which the practice can build.

Highlights in the finance area in the last year include acting for China Development Bank on a €94 million project finance facility in the energy sector and advising Alpha Bank as lead arranger and bondholder agent in a syndicated bond loan. In the M&A area transactional highlights included acting for Youtravel.com on its sale to FTI Touristik and a number of other confidential mandates in the tourism sector. In project finance, the firm, like much of the market. has seen mandates in the renewable sector including new projects but also the sale of portfolios in the areas of solar and wind.

Legal 500

The recently 2014 published edition of Legal 500 says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

The firm has been ranked as a recommended practice in 10 practice areas by the 2014 edition of The Legal 500: Banking, finance and capital markets, Corporate and M&A, Dispute resolution, EU and competition, Employment, Energy, Insurance, Intellectual property, Projects and privatisation, and Tax. As in previous years, the energy practice of Kelemenis & Co. has retained a Tier 1 status.

In particular, the references are as follows:

Banking, finance and capital markets

Kelemenis & Co recently advised China Development Bank on the €175m financing of two solar energy projects. The firm also represented Alpha Bank as underwriter of a €95m bond issuance linked to the refinancing of a food manufacturer.

Corporate and M&A

Kelemenis & Co has a strong transactional and commercial practice and is also recommended for its regulatory expertise. Highlights included advising FTI Group on its acquisition of a major tour operator in Crete.

Dispute resolution

Kelemenis & Co has a very busy litigation and regulatory practice, which includes representing the Greek power transmission system operator in €100m worth of debt collection claims against energy suppliers and traders. Other clients include GE Healthcare and medical technology company Stryker.

EU and competition

Kelemenis & Co has a strong regulatory practice, which also advises on EU and competition issues. The team represented several regional car dealers in a complaint made to the Competition Commission against Fiat and Fiat Credit.

Employment

The firm represents numerous domestic and international clients including Metaxa, Petrolina, Meeting Point International, and General Electric.

Energy

Kelemenis & Co is a top choice for energy regulatory matters. The firm advises a number of government bodies and international institutions on related issues, including Greek electricity market operator LAGIE, the EBRD, Greece’s public natural gas company (DEPA), and the Hellenic Power Transmission System Operator (ADMIE). On the transactional front, the team represented China Development Bank on the €175m financing of two solar energy projects.

Insurance

The insurance practice at Kelemenis & Co recently advised motor insurer General Union on its compulsory winding-up process, as well as on claims against intermediaries regarding the misappropriation of €40m worth of insurance premiums.

Intellectual property

Kelemenis & Co provides trade mark protection and registration advice to numerous companies in the drinks and hospitality sector, including Metaxa, Absolut Vodka, Youtravel.com, and Meeting Point Hellas.

Projects and privatisation

Kelemenis & Co has an active energy sector practice, and is advising DEPA on regulatory issues linked to its pending privatisation. On the projects side, the team is advising China Development Bank on the €175m project financing of two solar power projects in Greece.

Tax

Kelemenis & Co is well regarded for tax litigation and advisory work. Clients include China Development Bank and Titan Group, the latter of which the team is advising on a VAT claim.

Tax Directors Handbook

The Tax Directors Handbook 2014 notes the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Kelemenis & Co is well regarded for tax litigation and advisory work. Clients include China Development Bank.

World Tax

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

The tax practice of Kelemenis & Co offers a range of tax services including services for M&A, VAT, transfer pricing, asset acquisition, project finance, corporate finance, investment funds, real estate and offshore schemes. The client base of the practice is varied, and includes companies from energy, infrastructure, hotels and leisure, real estate, retail and technology industries.