Debarliev, Dameski & Kelesoska

Partners: Ivan Debarliev, Dragan Dameski, Emilija Kelesoska Sholjakovska, Jasmina Ilieva Jovanovik

Number of partners: 4

Number of lawyers: 12

Debarliev, Dameski & Kelesoska Attorneys at law (DDK) is the first law firm registered at the Macedonian Bar Association registry of law firms. Not only a pioneer that introduced the concept of a law firm as a corporate model of practicing law in North Macedonia instead of the “old-style” individual lawyer practice, DDK is also the first domestic modern law firm, based on highly professional and international standards, eligible to satisfy both domestic and international clients’ needs in every industry sector. Recognised for its growth phenomenon and philosophy of accumulating law experts as well as continuously investing in the professional growth of its members, nowadays DDK is one of the largest law firms in North Macedonia.

From the very establishment of the company to the present date, the performance of DDK is characterised by expertise, efficiency, professionalism, and teamwork, all with the final goal of ensuring high-quality legal services.

In the past decade, DDK is continually ranked among the top-tier law firms in North Macedonia by global law firm researchers and directories including Chambers and Partners, Legal500, IFLR1000.

Over the past 20 years, being involved in major domestic and international transactions and advising many clients on the Macedonian market, DDK has built a treasury of experience and expertise in various legal areas including:

• Antitrust & Competition
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Corporate & Commercial
• Compliance & Regulatory
• Arbitration
• IT/Telecommunication
• Energy
• Finance & Banking
• Construction & Real Estate
• Employment & Labour
• Insurance
• Intellectual Property
• Healthcare
• Debt Collection
• Civil Litigation
• Data Protection

DDK's portfolio of clients includes local subsidiaries of many multinational corporations having registered subsidiaries in North Macedonia as well as domestic companies, active in different industries such as telecommunications, energy, automotive industry, pharmacy, healthcare, hospitality, consumer products, gambling and sports betting, IT, financial services, construction, dairy industry, clothing retail, real estate, oil and gas, etc.

Offering full legal support to clients with high-quality, specialised, and innovative solutions customised to the specific requirements of the client, DDK has developed separate departments specialised for different law areas.

DDK has remarkable experience in M&A transactions, being involved in major M&A deals in the market over the last 20 years, including the recent major deal of Dura - Shiloh acquisition by Linamar, in which DDK advised Dura Automotive and won the prize “2023 Deal of the Year in North Macedonia” awarded by CEE Legal Matters.

DDK's Antitrust & Competition practice is notable for its continuous involvement in many merger notification cases handled by the Macedonian Competition Commission, cleared unconditionally but also subject to conditions and structural remedies, as well as conducting various assessments of prohibited agreements and practices and internal competition compliance assessments of major market players.

The Data Protection team at DDK has gained extensive experience, especially in recent years following the introduction of the new data protection law aligned with GDPR, by successfully advising clients from various industries on data protection compliance matters and guiding them in implementing technical and organisational measures.

Finance & Banking is one of the focus areas in which DDK is recognised as a market leader, advising on many cross-border finance projects, as well as advising financial institutions on licensing and regulatory compliance.

The Energy industry, especially the renewable energy market, is also a field where DDK is constantly busy advising clients on developing, licensing, and financing energy plants and projects in North Macedonia, as well as assisting in all regulatory requirements for electricity trading.

The Real Estate & Construction practice at DDK has extensive experience, especially in real estate acquisitions, leasing, and mortgaging. Greenfield investments also receive full support from DDK in construction permit procedures.

DDK is a licensed IP rights protection agent, handling many processes at the SOIP and the WIPO as well.

Employment & Labour is present in the everyday practice of DDK, handling different queries under labour law such as drafting contracts, internal employment acts, harassment protection compliance, work health and safety measures, advising on and handling redundancy procedures.

One of the oldest departments at DDK is the Debt Collection & Litigation department, well recognised by clients and by the courts' members in North Macedonia, dealing with different types of commercial and civil law litigations, including arbitration procedures.

DDK is well recognised by the largest worldwide law firms and very often acts in multijurisdictional transactions led by global law firms, with a role as local counsel in respect of legal matters requiring Macedonian legal assistance in such transactions. Moreover, most of DDK's clients are international corporations expanding their business in North Macedonia, thus advising international clients is building DDK's international experience and contributing to the continuous improvement of DDK's profile and international standards.