Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm is known for its expertise in Project Finance, Energy, Tax, Labor and Commercial Law. We have received ranking s in various sections by European Legal 500.
Former Big Four Experience of key members of the firm provided us with valuable knowledge and understanding of problems which multinationals face in their entrance in Bulgaria.
We have enriched this knowledge and experience through our practical and focused approach in solving day to day challenges of not only large multinational clients but also of Bulgarian and European SMEs.
Corporate and M&A - International companies that retain the services of Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm include a leading Greek mobile phone retailer, a world famous Japanese vehicle manufacturer, and an iconic global sportswear brand. The firm's practice is evenly split between ongoing counsel and transactional work.
In 2006, the firm was retained by the Milan Office of Dewey Ballantine LLP to advise and assist for Sirap-Gema on the Bulgarian law aspects of a 48 million euro acquisition of Amprica, a group of companies active in the food packaging and distribution market. Since 2007, we are assisting Petruzalek GMbH (a Sirap-Gema company) and its local subsidiary in closing the operations of a local joint venture company of Amprica.
In 2006, we assisted Inchcape in the purchase of the shares of Tomen Corporation (a company within Toyota Group) in TM Auto OOD (the then Bulgarian distributor of Toyota vehicles). In 2007, we assisted this company in restructuring its operations into a retail business and distribution business.
Banking Finance - Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm is carving out a niche in debt recovery and is involved in pioneering factoring in Bulgaria, notably advising and representing a German collection company through 2005 and 2006.
The firm representing through 2004 to 2007 United Bulgarian Bank (a company of NBG group of companies) in relation to debt recovery non-performing clients.
Since 2006, the firm's experience and expertise was recognized also by the biggest (in of assets) bank, UniCredit Bulbank, who retained the firm for the same range of services.
In 2006, the firm was engaged by Hild, a US owned business, active in the real estate business in Central Europe and supported by Deutsche Bank. Our services included study of the legal framework relative to certain forms of financing of real estate acquisitions. In 2007, we helped the client in its successful entry into the Bulgarian market by implementing its contractual framework.
In the beginning of 2007, we were retained by NLB Leasing Sofia, a company of NLB Group to help the company to structure its Bulgarian operations. We have assisted the client to start successfully its activity in Bulgaria advising it on a number of matters including corporate, commercial and tax.
Projects, Energy and Natural Resources - Through 2005 Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm advised the project company with regards to an engineering and procurement contract for the Maritza East lignite power plant, having previously advised US-based Entergy on its 600 million euro investment in the project.
In 2006, we assisted the shareholders of the US petroleum company CBM Energy Limited for the successful sale of their interest in the Project for NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION AND PROSPECTING IN BLOCK 21 DCB, ONSHORE BULGARIA to another US business active in Bulgaria.
Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm acted as local counsel alongside Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in London, on the largest ever foreign investment in Bulgaria (amounting to over 600 million euro). The firms advised US-based Entergy on a complex investment covering the takeover, rehabilitation, exploitation and transfer back of Maritza East.
In 2006, the firm advised the project Company as well as its international advisors, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates on certain Bulgarian law aspects of the exit of one of the project sponsors, Entergy. We also advised the contract as well as on certain matters related to the Project financing.
In 2007, we were engaged, on retainer basis, to advice the local subsidiary of Enel, Enel Maritza East III JSC on corporate, commercial and employment matters.
Real Estate and Construction - We have advised and represented a number of small and medium sized European businesses in their investment in the Bulgarian properties.
Through 2004-2006, we have advised and assisted the Bulgarian division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Limited, Newcastle, UK (member of the Parsons Brinckerhoff Limited group of companies) throughout a number of work permit and residence permit related procedures for the members of the team of foreign professionals engaged in the Maritza East lignite power plant Project where the company acts in the capacity as independent construction supervisor. We also provide on-going support in relation to the Bulgarian corporate aspects of the Parsons Brinckerhoff Limited Sofia Branch.
In 2007, we assisted our client, TM Auto EOOD (an Inchcape Company), retailer of Toyota vehicles, for the purpose of building a Toyota showroom.