Legal 500 2010
Tax
Kelemenis & Co’s ‘quality and organisation is closer to what you’d expect from a well-run Western European firm than a Greek one’. It was recently called on by The Energy Community secretariat to provide advice on direct and indirect tax issues for a joint venture in Montenegro. Tom Kyriakopoulos is ‘quick, business-minded and practical’.
Corporate and M&A
‘Well organised and hands on, with an international outlook’, Kelemenis & Co has attracted new hotel and leisure clients – a traditional area of strength – as well as an increasing number of energy-related mandates. Key deals in 2009 included acting for Champion Europe on the termination of a Bulgarian distribution contract as well as on the acquisition of a Bulgarian sportswear retailer. Clients recommend Yannis Kelemenis and Tom Kyriakopoulos as ‘standout figures’.
Dispute resolution
Kelemenis & Co provides ‘to the point, professional and practical solutions’ in commercial disputes and was recently appointed as General Electric’s legal counsel. The team recently acted for Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP on the enforcement of a UK court decision, and advised Kalo Nero on arbitration proceedings relating to a €14m land dispute.
Employment
Kelemenis & Co’s association with First Law International, a law firm network covering 30 jurisdictions, means it is often called on to provide Greek law advice on cross-border issues, including recently advising Solvay on amendments to its employment agreements. In addition, the team acts for clients such as AON Holdings and Sonae Sirae on termination and HR matters.
Energy
In addition to providing regulatory and transactional advice to energy and environmental companies such as Blue Aegean Energy, Endesa Hellas and Veolia, Kelemenis & Co won the international tender to advise on the creation of the Coordinated Auction Office in southeasten Europe.
Banking, finance and capital markets
Kelemenis & Co has a prominent profile in the leisure and hotel industry, advising on corporate finance issues. The team, led by the ‘commercially aware’ Yannis Kelemenis, acted for Aquis Hotels & Resorts on the €100m financing of eight hotels and resorts, and advised Youtravel.com on its corporate restructuring and debt financing.
EU and competition
Kelemenis & Co’s EU practice is quite active in the higher education sector, where it continues to act for the University of Teeside. Yannis Kelemenis and Iro Stamataki are ‘trustworthy and professional’ lawyers for EU and competition mandates.
Intellectual property
Kelemenis & Co’s IP practice is advising Metaxa on trade mark disputes with two competitors. It also files commercial trade marks for clients such as Smileyworld and Aquis Hotels & Resorts.
Projects and privatisation
Kelemenis & Co has a prominent role on energy projects for clients including Blue Aegean Energy and the Energy Community Secretariat.