An in-depth look at Sandro Bibilashvili of BGI Legal, covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer, as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Career:
- BGI Legal; Partner; 2014-present
- BGI Legal; Director; 2011-2013
- BGI Legal; Senior Associate; 2005-2010
- EY Law; Paralegal; 2002-2003
- Congressman Bernie Sanders’ Office; Intern; 2001
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia; Intern; 1999
Education:
- Duke University School of Law; LL.M.; 2011
- Central European University; LL.M. in International Business Law; 2004
- Tbilisi State University; Diploma in Law; 2003
Favorites:
- Out-of-office activity: Spending time with family and friends, traveling, rafting (former amateur champion of Georgia), playing soccer (member of the Georgian Bar Association team).
- Quote: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” (Albert Einstein)
- Book: 1984 by George Orwell
- Movie: 12 Angry Men
Top 5 Projects:
- Advising Tempo Beverages – Israel’s largest brewer and the country’s second-largest beverage company – in acquiring a majority stake in one of Georgia’s largest beverage companies.
- Advising multilateral development banks (ADB, EBRD, and IFC) in USD 250 million financing, and subsequent restructuring of financing, of the Shuakhevi hydropower project, the largest hydropower project developed since Georgia’s independence.
- Acting as a Georgian law expert in separate litigations before the Bermuda and Singapore Courts, where one of the plaintiffs was Georgia’s former Prime Minister suing Credit Suisse entities.
- Advising Tokyo Electric Power Company on acquiring a stake in a Georgian hydropower project – the largest Japanese investment in Georgia’s energy sector.
- Acting for the Scotch Whisky Association – a trade organization that represents the Scotch whisky industry – in a number of trademark disputes.
CEELM: What would you say was the most challenging project you ever worked on and why?
Bibilashvili: One of the most challenging projects I worked on was advising a Korean state-owned company on developing a renewable energy project in Georgia in partnership with the Georgian state-owned company. The deal was unprecedented in size and complexity, both for the energy sector and for Georgia’s economy, involving multiple international and local stakeholders and regulators. The negotiations spanned diverse legal, commercial, and environmental considerations, from compliance with Georgia’s evolving energy regulations (including Georgia’s international commitments) to balancing the interests of local communities and global investors. Navigating cross-border legal frameworks while addressing domestic sensitivities required precision, patience, and diplomacy.
CEELM: What was your main takeaway from it?
Bibilashvili: The key lesson I took away is that successful cross-border deals require not just legal expertise but also cultural understanding and trust-building. Legal frameworks can be negotiated, but genuine stakeholder alignment and respect for local contexts are critical to making ambitious projects sustainable. I learned that lawyers, especially in emerging markets, must serve as both legal advisors and bridge-builders between international investors and local realities.
CEELM: What is one thing clients likely don’t know about you?
Bibilashvili: Most clients are surprised to learn that I am a mediation enthusiast and a certified mediator, having served as a court mediator since 2013. While my primary work involves high-stakes transactions and disputes, mediation has shaped my approach to negotiation, teaching me the importance of empathy, active listening, and creative problem-solving. These skills often allow me to de-escalate conflicts and achieve solutions that go beyond legal positions – focusing instead on sustainable relationships and long-term value for all parties.
CEELM: Name one mentor who played a big role in your career and how they impacted you.
Bibilashvili: One of the most influential mentors in my career was my professor and former dean of international studies at Duke Law School, where I earned my second LL.M. degree. Her approach to law emphasized intellectual curiosity, ethical integrity, and the responsibility lawyers carry in shaping societies. She encouraged me to think critically not just about legal outcomes, but about their broader human and economic impact. She was an inspirational mentor not only for me, but also for countless international students studying at Duke Law School. She stood by students in moments of difficulty, offering empathy and support, treating each student as part of her own family. Her mentorship gave me the confidence to combine rigorous legal analysis with leadership and vision, qualities that I try to embody in my everyday work.
CEELM: What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself fresh out of law school?
Bibilashvili: Do not rush into getting all the answers. Focus on building strong analytical skills, listening carefully, and asking correct questions. A successful lawyer must not only know the rules but also understand people – first and foremost clients, but also colleagues, and counterparts. Patience and humility are often more powerful than quick solutions.
This article was originally published in Issue 12.8 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.
