Former Counsels Christina Chini, Vasilis Douzenis, and Niki Orfanidou have been promoted to Partner positions with Kyriakides Georgopoulos.

Former Koutalidis Partner Nikos Salakas has left the firm to join Alpha Bank as its new Chief of Corporate Center and General Counsel.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

Did you know that the CEE Q1 leaderboards are available through the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website?

Greece is doing a solid job of showcasing its economic resilience, according to Machas & Partners Partner Ioannis Charalampopoulos, who takes a closer look at its intricacies and spotlights the banking sector’s revival, booming real estate opportunities, and a promising horizon for mergers and acquisitions.

CMS has advised the Greek Sfakianakis Group on its acquisition of Ajar Car Rental from the Saudi Arabian Al Jomaih Group. PHH reportedly advised the seller.

Reed Smith has advised PPC Renewables subsidiary Phoebe Energy on a EUR 294.4 million financing from the EU, Eurobank, and Piraeus Bank for the construction and operation of a 550-megawatt solar photovoltaic project in Western Macedonia. Karatzas & Partners advised Eurobank and Piraeus Bank.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. Since now is the time when plans for next year are made (and budgeted for) this time we asked GCs: Is your in-house legal function’s budget increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same in 2024?

Papapolitis & Papapolitis has advised Intralot on its EUR 130 million debut public bond issuance listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, completed in February 2024.

Lambadarios has advised RWE Renewables and PPC Renewables on the financing for their 940-megawatt portfolio of solar farms in Amyntaio, Western Macedonia, through their Meton joint venture company. Karatzas & Partners advised Eurobank, Alpha Bank, and the National Bank of Greece on the financing.

Reed Smith has advised PPC Renewables on its acquisition of a wind projects portfolio – totaling approximately 164 megawatts – from Intrakat as well as on the parties' strategic cooperation on developing a further 1.6 gigawatts in renewable energy projects. Argyropoulos-Gissaki & Associates reportedly advised Intrakat.

Did you know that the early 2024 deal leaderboards are already available via the Activity Rankings function of the CEELMDirect website?

Papapolitis & Papapolitis has advised London & Regional Properties on its sale of the Athens Titania Hotel to H Hotels Collection.

Zepos & Yannopoulos has advised Boston-based hedge fund manager Bracebridge Capital on its acquisition of 95% of the mezzanine and junior notes in the Frontier II securitization originated by the National Bank of Greece. Papapolitis & Papapolitis advised arranger Morgan Stanley.

On February 21, 2024, Zepos & Yannopoulos announced that the sale of an approximately 77% stake in Ydrogios Insurance to the Reale Group (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on July 17, 2023) had closed.

Bernitsas has advised Hoist Finance on its purchase of the Pearl Portfolio – a retail NPL portfolio of unsecured and secured loans originated by Alpha Bank – in a secondary sale and transfer transaction.

Kyriakides Georgopoulos has advised Novartis on the separation of its Sandoz generic and biosimilars division in Greece.