POTAMITISVEKRIS, a broad commercial law practice based in Athens and operating across South-East Europe, with an important presence in key market sectors and practice areas, is a unique example in its jurisdiction of a true law partnership with a long term investment both in people and infrastructure. Our reinvigorated team builds on its well established reputation for quality, innovation, commitment, enthusiasm and eagerness to provide the best possible level of service.
The firm's main areas of practice include:
Banking & Finance / Capital Markets:
POTAMITISVEKRIS' capital markets practice brings together the expertise and resources to advise on the full range of organised market transactions. By regularly representing the major underwriters and active clients, it holds a minimum 20% market share in all capital market transactions. The firm also acts as lead legal adviser in transactions in the areas of lending, refinancing, private equity, finance and venture capital and has considerable experience in the establishment of banks and investment services firms. POTAMITISVEKRIS specialises in advising on mergers and acquisitions in the banking sector and regularly acts for some of Greece's top banking institutions not only in Greece but also in the South East Europe region.
Contact: George Bersis.
Corporate / M&A:
POTAMITISVEKRIS has a notable expertise in acquisitions and privatisations in Greece and the broader South-East European region. POTAMITISVEKRIS advises on all aspects of transactions, from the structuring of the deal, its negotiation and documentation, to compliance with the regulatory requirements of the industry (and market) involved and due diligence reviews. The firm also provides expert advice on the legal and regulatory issues affecting contractual relationships. It drafts, reviews and negotiates all types of commercial agreements and can create corporate structures designed to best meet the clients' needs.
Contact: Stathis Potamitis.
Civil & Criminal Litigation:
POTAMITISVEKRIS takes a constructive approach to assisting its clients in the settlement of their disputes and views litigation as part of an overall strategy in resolving clients' issues. The firm is experienced not only in litigating all kind of disputes (from the most simple but often significant proceedings, such as applications for injunctions, to complex, cross-border litigation involving appeals to the highest courts including the European Court of Justice) but also in arbitrating disputes, especially in the cross-border context. POTAMITISVEKRIS is also known for its white-collar crime and public procurement expertise.
Contact: Konstantinos P. Papadiamantis.
Arbitration:
POTAMITISVEKRIS is experienced in arbitrating disputes, especially in the cross-border context. The international background of many of the firm's lawyers means that POTAMITISVEKRIS is able to deal with processes and procedures that are unfamiliar to most local practitioners, such as discovery of documents, and can field teams that can efficiently handle fact finding, witness preparation and examination, as well as the in depth investigation of questions of law.
Contact: Vicky Psaltis
Employment:
POTAMITISVEKRIS is a leader in employment practice. Its client base is mainly employer-orientated and focused on the banking and finance, pharmaceutical and commercial retail industries. The team represents its clients in the full range of matters arising in this sector, including litigation, mediation and arbitration. POTAMITISVEKRIS' areas of expertise include individual and collective employment law, social security, civil, criminal and administrative disputes arising in this area.
Contact: Alexios Papastavrou.
Energy:
POTAMITISVEKRIS' Energy Team is amongst the top in Greece with a deep understanding of the existing and developing regulatory framework. The team regularly represents leading energy groups in their inward investment as well as both local clients and banks on financing projects or in their energy trading activities.
Contact: Euripides Ioannou.
EU, Competition & Antitrust:
The firm's EU and Competition Law and Antitrust Practice is one of the best in Greece. The team regularly handles cases concerning the clearance and notification of mergers and acquisitions before the Greek Competition Commission and European Commission and has also has supervised filings before the National Competition Authorities in several countries including Cyprus, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. POTAMITISVEKRIS has also represented clients before the Greek Competition Commission in major cartel and abuse of dominant position cases and at the administrative courts in appealing decisions of the Greek Competition Commission.
Contact: Xenophon Paparrigopoulos.
Insolvency:
POTAMITISVEKRIS leads the effort to promote the practice of workouts in the Greek reorganisation market. It is the leading reorganisation practice and is currently representing several publicly listed companies in the negotiation of loans and extension of new financing, while in other transactions it is the adviser to both local and foreign banks as well as other creditors that deal with distressed debtors.
Contact: Stathis Potamitis
Intellectual Property:
POTAMITISVEKRIS provides high quality and efficient services covering the full range of intellectual property issues including identifying, registering, protecting and defending all aspects of IP rights. The firm combines the specialised legal skills normally associated with boutique intellectual property firms with the corporate and litigation capabilities of a major general practice firm.
Contact: Xenophon Paparrigopoulos.
Project Finance:
POTAMITISVEKRIS is ideally placed to advise its clients, with a reputation for bridging the legal and cultural gaps between foreign investors and local counterparts. The firm's expertise includes advising lenders, sponsors and contractors on substantial infrastructure, energy and technology projects and PPPs.
Contact: Euripides Ioannou.
Real Estate:
POTAMITISVEKRIS advises on the full range of transactions arising in the area of real estate, from straightforward financings of acquisitions and sales to complicated development projects and inward investment in the sector. The firm's client base includes a number of real estate funds, private investors and construction companies.
Contact: Johnny Vekris.
Shipping:
POTAMITISVEKRIS' client base includes many blue chip owners, some of which are listed on the NYSE and thus has traditionally been mainly owner-orientated. The firm is also capable of representing its clients in arbitration proceedings in London and performing private client work on behalf of its ship owner clients.
Contact: Johnny Vekris.