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Watson Farley & Williams
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Banking & Finance

About

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

WFW was the first international law firm to open an office in Piraeus in 1984. WFW Greece has a cross-border banking & finance practice, best known for its work in the maritime, renewable energy and real estate sectors. 

Our finance practice spans across project, real estate and corporate finance and trade and commodity finance, as well as banking regulatory advice, insurance advice, restructurings, work-outs, insolvencies and enforcement.

We act for more than 150 international banking giants, as well as the four systemic banks in Greece. 

In Greece we:

  • Draft English-law and Greek-law documents, including transactions with both English-law and Greek-law aspects. Out of 30 lawyers, 8 are dual qualified and 9 are qualified in England and Wales;​
  • Provide detailed due diligence competence for financing transactions;
  • Have long-standing bank regulatory expertise (Nikolaos Kostikas worked 10 years as the Legal Counsel at UniCredit’s Greek branch). 
  • Have particular expertise in project financing, especially for renewable energy and oil & gas (one of the few Athens firms with real hands-on upstream oil financing experience through the Energean/Kavala Oil financings);
  • Have special expertise in the Greek ferry sector;
  • Advise PE and other funds on investments in Greek shipping and in the Greek domestic market in a range of sectors; and 
  • Have expertise working on transactions involving all key multilateral lenders (EBRD, IFC and EIB).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - Greece

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Watson Farley & Williams houses a well-reputed banking and finance department in Greece. The law firm advises domestic and international banks on a range of finance transactions, notably in the energy and shipping sectors. Its services also cover corporate finance matters, including those related to debt restructurings and refinancings, acting for international investment funds. Drawing on its overseas presence and dual-qualified practitioners, the firm is well placed to advise on deals that have a key English law component. Its abilities in regulatory matters complete the firm's offering.

Work Highlights

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

  • Watson Farley & Williams advised Hova Hospitality on the approximately EUR70 million sale and leaseback of Club Med's Gregolimano resort at Evia as part of an extension and renovation project.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"I very much appreciate the fact that Watson Farley & Williams can handle complex and sophisticated matters in a manner that ensures critical issues are identified and addressed."

Banking & Finance respondent
Global

"Their team has the ability to take a pragmatic approach when dealing with multiple banks to arrange a structure that works for all parties."

Banking & Finance respondent
Global

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Nikolaos Kostikas
3
Nikolaos Kostikas
3
Band 3

Nikolaos Kostikas has proven expertise advising national funds and international banks on NPL portfolio transactions, as well as restructuring and acquisition financing mandates.

"Nikolaos Kostikas is very committed and dedicated to his clients, offering a problem-solving approach and a positive attitude."

"He has a great level of knowledge and experience in this field."

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Virginia Murray
4
Virginia Murray
4
Band 4

Virginia Murray has a strong finance practice advising investors and financial institutions on various banking and finance mandates, including project and acquisition transactions in the energy sector. She is dual-qualified in Greece and in England and Wales, and is therefore a strong choice for cross-border transactions.

"She is very experienced in handling complex energy financing transactions."

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Ranked Lawyers at
Watson Farley & Williams

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Greece

Banking & Finance
Nikolaos Kostikas
3
Nikolaos Kostikas
3
Band 3
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Virginia Murray
4
Virginia Murray
4
Band 4
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Members

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Alexandros Damianidis

Alexia Hatzimichalis

George Paleokrassas

Marisetta Marcopoulou

Vassiliki Georgopoulos

Virginia Murray

Clients

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Alpha Bank SA

Citibank International Limited

Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank

DNB ASA

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Fortress Investment Corporation

Grivalia Properties REIC

HSBC Bank

Piraeus Bank AE

UniCredit Bank

Industries

Provided by Watson Farley & Williams

Banks

Charities / Not for Profit

Energy

Financial Services

Insurance

Private Clients / Individuals

Real Estate

Real Estate Finance

Software & Computer Services

Transportation