1 December 2009

Chambers & Partners

The recently published 2009 edition of Chambers & Partners says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Corporate/Commercial

Clients are full of praise for this new entry to the rankings, describing the practice as “immensely dedicated, results-oriented and extremely well organised.” It provides “high-quality personnel and international expertise” across a range of sectors and industries, and lawyers are commended for their “business acumen, creative approach to finding solutions, and effective, to-the-point communications.” The team recently acted on acquisitions, joint ventures and renting agreements and provided advisory and compliance services in Bulgaria and the Middle East. In the energy regulatory arena, it also worked on a transaction involving a Czech company constructing a small scale hydroelectric plant in northern Greece. Yannis Kelemenis is the well-known lead partner.

Dispute Resolution

A new entrant to the rankings this year, this firm has a growing profile on the dispute resolution front, thanks to its involvement in litigation in the corporate, tax and shareholding arenas. Clients praise the group’s “entrepreneurial understanding, knowledge of South-East Europe in general and ability to carry out work in English.” Recently, the team has been taking on an increasing number of cross-border cases, including money laundering matters and disagreements between international manufacturers and their Greek distributors. Satisfied clients also note the group’s provision of “regular updates, consistently high levels of service and practical solutions to complex legal issues,” and note the value for money it represents. The best-known name on the team is Yannis Kelemenis, who is praised for his understanding of clients’ business needs and described as “a solid practitioner with an impeccable academic and courts track record.”

Tax

The tax team of Kelemenis & Co is recognised for boosting the firm’s tax practice following recent additions to the team. It advises Greek and international companies on all aspects of taxation law, including sizeable M&A-related tax work.

IFLR

The recently published 2009 edition of IFLR says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

“Kelemenis & Co is a top corporate and commercial law firm; we are pleased by the quality of service they continue to provide,” says a client. Established in 2003, the firm is growing rapidly – in the past year five lawyers have joined the firm, including two partners.

In one notable deal, Yannis Kelemenis advised Aquis Hotels and Resorts on the leasing arrangements for various five-star hotels in Corfu valued at €35 million.

The firm is receiving consistent mandates from Stelow and its Greek subsidiary Youtravel.com. In one, the firm advised on Barclays’ issue of a loan note to Stelow, and also assisted in the restructuring of Stelow, which required Barclays to increase its loan facilities.

In the past year, the firm was also appointed as legal counsel by Lion Hellas for a €220 million private placement in a Greek renewable-energy company.

M&A is proving to be a distinguished practice area for the firm. Kelemenis led a team advising Stelow on the acquisition of a UK travel group through the issue of €15 million loan notes.

In other work the firm has been advising Barclays Ventures’ investments in Greek tourism, and acted for Japanese gas supplier Osaka Gas on an investment project in southeast Europe.

Legal 500

The recently published 2009 edition of Legal 500 says the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Banking, finance and capital markets

Kelemenis & Co.’s law firm fields a robust banking and finance practice. The firm acted for hotel developer Aquis Hotels & Resorts on the financing of its acquisition of seven hotels and resorts totalling more than €70m. The firm also acted for UBS on reviewing the regulatory and indirect tax implications of its stock lending agreements in Greek securities. Clients praise the firm’s ‘quick, focused and commercially switched-on approach’.

Energy

Kelemenis & Co. has continued to strengthen its energy practice, with the team, led by name partner Yannis Kelemenis, instructed by World Bank to review Moldova’s energy industry and infrastructure to bring it in line with EU regulation and energy requirements. The firm has also been active on the transactional side, providing advice on the acquisition of a Greek hydroelectric power company.

Tax

Kelemenis & Co.’s tax practice has gone from strength to strength thanks to the team’s significant tax expertise. The firm has been providing tax advice on Barclays’ venture capital investment in a Greek company, which has involved the review of direct and indirect tax issues arising out of inter-group and third-party service agreements.

Corporate and M&A

Kelemenis & Co. has an international focus to its corporate practice. The firm has recently acted for Barclays, as majority shareholders in Greek subsidiary Youtravel.com, on an acquisition bid for the company by Western & Oriental. The energy sector is also a strong focus with the firm recently acting for Swiss-based Avelar Energy on a joint venture and acquisition of a Greek electricity company. Managing Partner Yannis Kelemenis come highly recommended for his ‘high professionalism and versatility’.

Dispute resolution

Kelemenis & Co.’s litigation team has been instructed by Bond Pearce LLP to undertake the local enforcement of a €1m judgment awarded in the UK. Athanasiou Papantoniou leads a team that is lauded for its ‘professional attitude and timely delivery of output’.

EU and competition

Kelemenis & Co. receives praise for its ‘focused, results-driven’ approach. The firm has been providing regulatory advice to the University of Teeside, and has been retained by Carrefour to provide corporate employment law advice and relevant EU law implications of termination agreements.

Intellectual property

Clients praise the IP practice at Kelemenis & Co for delivering ‘consistently top service’. The firm has advised spirits company Metaxa on trade mark violations by two competitors.

Projects and privatisation

Kelemenis & Co’s team continues to strengthen the firm’s PPP practice, particularly in the energy sector, where it advised on the acquisition of a Greek hydroelectric power producer, involving careful attention to public procurement law.

Shipping finance

Kelemenis & Co’s shipping finance practice has been working with American law firm Salans on the NYSE listing of a shipping company with interests in Greece.

PLC Which Lawyer

The 2008 edition of the PLC Which Lawyer legal directory reports the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Yannis Kelemenis

Corporate/M&A – Highly Recommended

Prolific and respected deal-focused corporate advisor with acknowledged advisory experience in deals involving the hotel and leisure, energy and food industries.

Dispute resolution – Recommended

Specialised in class actions and distribution/agency agreement claims.

Energy – Recommended

Heads the firm’s energy practice, with experience both on the regulatory and transactional sides. Has advised regulators and several foreign governments on energy-related issues ranging from venture capital in the renewables sector (wind, hydro and photovoltaic) to interconnection in the electricity sector.

Restructuring and insolvency – Recommended

Acts on financial restructurings, corporate insolvencies and liquidations.

Tax Directors Handbook

The Tax Directors Handbook 2009 notes the following about Kelemenis & Co.:

Kelemenis & Co wins its higher ranking due to the strengthening of its tax department with significant expertise in tax litigation. The team has been advising Greek company ICSS on VAT and withholding tax matters relating to a multimillion-euro, cross-border lease of fire-fighting helicopters and personnel to the Greek State.