Kelemenis was earmarked last year as one to watch and it has continued growing, taking on associates and also hiring a new partner, Tatiana Tsirakopoulou, who comes from an in-house position at Endesa Hellas.

“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.