Bernitsas Law
Global Guide 2025
About
Managing Partner: Panayotis Bernitsas
Number of partners: 14
Number of Counsel: 8
Number of lawyers: 36
Languages: English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish
Firm Overview
Bernitsas Law is a market leader in the provision of commercial law services in Greece and one of the largest firms in the country. The firm counts industry frontrunners, listed and private companies, supranational, global and national entities and corporations, and small and medium sized enterprises from all the major industry sectors among its clients.
A Focus on Solutions & Service
Bernitsas provides sound and practical legal solutions which take into account its clients’ commercial reality, perspective, concerns and priorities and assist them to achieve their goals and take a proactive approach in identifying both opportunities and risks. Many of its client relationships have been honed over several decades. With long-term relationships comes unrivalled insight into clients’ operations and industries which allows the firm to provide advice tailored to expectations and based on the knowledge it has acquired of their business. Its lawyers have an expertise in working closely with corporate and in-house legal groups and have developed processes and skills which add value to the service they provide.
An Expert Team
The teams have been working together within and across departments for many years to provide a specialised, consistent and high-standard service. The firm has been involved in most of the pioneer transactions to have taken place in the country, encompassing ground-breaking changes in the legal landscape. It has acted in disputes which have created precedents. The firm’s lawyers regularly participate in the preparation of legislation and regulatory frameworks, and interface with regulators, ombudsmen and supervisory authorities.
An Uncompromising Approach to Ethics
The ethical practice of law is the cornerstone of the firm's practice. Bernitsas has policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with practice regulations and legislation governing the provision of legal services and the legal sector. Over and above this, the firm conforms with international legal industry standards by applying uncompromising ethical and practice management principles.
Main Areas of Practice
Bernitsas is a frontrunner in the corporate, commercial and finance sectors, specialising in foreign direct investment, banking, capital markets, funds, energy, projects, privatisation and real estate transactions. The firm offers leading practices in employment, ESG, EU, competition & antitrust, intellectual property, data protection and privacy, public procurement and tax & private wealth. We have industry specific expertise in insurance, life sciences and healthcare and telecommunications, media and technology. Our litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution practice is recognised for its track record in significant administrative, civil and commercial and corporate crime disputes, some of which have created precedents.
The firm counts industry frontrunners, private individuals, listed and private companies, supranational, global and national entities and corporations, and small and medium sized enterprises from all the major sectors among its clients. Clients trust Bernitsas to passionately protect and promote their interests. Exceptional lawyers work within and across teams to offer excellent service in line with international professional and ethical standards of care.
Responsible Business Strategy
Acting with responsibility to the legal industry and the community and markets in which the firm is active is the cornerstone of its practice and drives all of the firm's relationships. Bernitsas promotes and applies the principles of non-discrimination, fairness and equal opportunities to the way it works and delivers its services, all aspects of its professional dealings and all its policies and procedures. Through the firm's pro bono programme, Bernitsas helps provide access to the law and justice for those who cannot otherwise afford legal representation, support the work of non-profits and charities and participate in NGO-run research projects. The firm devotes its resources, energy and enthusiasm to acting for non-profits and charities, on human rights cases and on social impact matters and supports over 30 organisations involved in the welfare of children and vulnerable members of the community, higher and lower education, culture and the arts on an ongoing basis by way of sponsorship and donations.
International Work
The firm delivers an international level of service. A substantial part of the firm’s practice concentrates on complex domestic and cross-border transactions and disputes. The firm has enduring relationships with leading law firms all over the world across its areas of practice and acts together with many of these firms regularly in providing a seamless and integrated international service to its clients.
Practice Areas and Offices
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
Corporate and M&A
Data Protection, Privacy & Security
Employment
Energy
Environment, Social & Governance (ESG)
EU, Competition & Antitrust
Foreign Direct Investment
Insurance
Intellectual Property
Life Sciences & Healthcare
Litigation, Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
Privatisations
Project Development, Finance & PPPs
Public Procurement
Real Estate, Land Development & Hospitality
Tax & Private Wealth
Telecommunications, Media & Technology
Ranked Offices
Provided by Bernitsas Law
- Athens5, Lykavittou Street, Athens, Athens, Greece, GR-106 72
- Web: www.bernitsaslaw.com
- Tel: +30 210 36 15 395
- Fax: +30 2 10 36 40 805
Contributions
Latest contributions provided by Bernitsas Law
Bernitsas Law rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
75 items provided by Bernitsas Law
Bernitsas Law advises leading ethanol producer on €33m secured facility agreements
Bernitsas Law advised a leading ethanol producer in Greece, on 5 secured facility agreements in the amount of €33m with Piraeus Bank SA as lender, for the financing of the construction of a new state-of-the-art ethanol production facility, which will be the largest ethanol production unit in Greece.
Bernitsas Law advises Constant Contact on the acquisition of Moosend from Sitecore
Bernitsas Law advised Constant Contact on the acquisition of Moosend, an email marketing and automation platform provider, from Sitecore.
Bernitsas Law advises on the IPO of Qualco Group SA on the Athens Stock Exchange
Bernitsas Law advised on the successful initial public offering and listing on the main market of ATHEX of Qualco Group SA.
Bernitsas Law advises Olympia Group of Companies on the refinancing of the acquisition of Entersoft
Bernitsas Law advised international investment group Olympia Group of Companies in connection with the refinancing of the acquisition of Entersoft SA as part of Project Unity and the financing of Entersoft SA and Softone SA.
Bernitsas Law secures unconditional phase 1 merger clearance for the acquisition of MILORA by Aktor
Bernitsas Law advised Aktor Group of Companies in obtaining phase 1 merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) in relation to the acquisition of MILORA, a real estate investment company.
Bernitsas Law advises J.C. Flowers & Co. on the acquisition of Pepper Advantage Limited
Bernitsas Law advised on the Greek legal aspects of J.C. Flowers & Co.'s acquisition of Pepper Advantage Limited, a leading credit management firm with operations across Europe and Asia backed by the global investment firm KKR.
Bernitsas Law advises CVC on the sale of Ethniki Hellenic General Insurance to Piraeus Bank
Bernitsas Law advised on the sale by Ethniki Holdings Limited, a holding company managed by CVC Capital Partners Fund VII, of its 90.01% stake in Ethniki Asfalistiki to Piraeus Bank for a total consideration of €600m on a 100% basis.
Bernitsas Law advises Eurobank Holdings on its €588.5m liability management exercise
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings S.A. (Eurobank Holdings) in connection with a liability management exercise (LME).
Bernitsas Law advises Aktor Group of Companies on its successful equity capital raising of €200m
Bernitsas Law advised Aktor Société Anonyme Holding Company Technical and Energy Projects (Aktor Group of Companies) in connection with its successful equity capital raising of €200m pursuant to a rights issue, and the listing of the new Aktor Group of Companies shares on the Athens Exchange.
Bernitsas Law advises KOSMOCAR on the acquisition of MAN Hellas Truck & Bus SA
Bernitsas Law advised KOSMOCAR SA in connection with their successful acquisition of MAN HELLAS Truck & Bus SA.
Bernitsas Law secures phase 1 merger clearance for the acquisition by KOSMOCAR of MAN Hellas
Bernitsas Law advised KOSMOCAR SA in obtaining phase 1 merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) in relation to KOSMOCAR’s acquisition of sole control over MAN Hellas Truck & Bus SA.
Bernitsas Law advises CVC and HHG on the disposal of part of its stake to Purehealth
Bernitsas Law advised CVC and Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) in connection with the sale of a 60% stake in HHG to PureHealth Holding PJSC by CVC and HHG’s CEO. The deal values HHG at €2.2bn and its completion is currently subject to regulatory approvals.
Bernitsas Law advises on the acquisition of Hermes Portfolio of €700m NPLs
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to AP Hermes Securitisation S.à r.l. in connection with the acquisition of an NPL Portfolio of unsecured and secured loans of a total legal claim of c. €700m (Hermes Portfolio).
Bernitsas Law advises Georgoudis SA on partnership with AG Olives Group
Bernitsas Law advised Georgoudis SA on its strategic partnership with Aceitunas Guadalquivir (AG) Olives Group which is backed by Alantra Private Equity.
Bernitsas Law advises Santander UK in $27m facilities agreement
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Santander UK plc, in its capacity as Agent, Arranger, Original Hedge Counterparty, Security Agent and the Original Lender, in connection with the amendment and restatement of a $27m facilities agreement.
Bernitsas Law advises HELLENiQ ENERGY Real Estate on €50m financing
Bernitsas Law acted as legal counsel to HELLENiQ ENERGY Real Estate and its shareholder HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings, in connection with an up to €50m common secured bond loan issued by HELLENiQ ENERGY Real Estate to Eurobank for the acquisition of real estate property.
Bernitsas Law advises Thanos Hotels & Resorts on €107m financing package and activities relocation
Bernitsas Law advised Thanos Hotels & Resorts on successfully securing a €107m financing package with Piraeus Bank.
Bernitsas Law advises China State Grid on the acquisition of 20% stake in Ariadne Interconnection
Bernitsas Law advised China State Grid in relation to the acquisition of 20% stake in Ariadne Interconnection, a subsidiary of Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator, implementing the electricity interconnection between Attica and Crete.
Bernitsas Law advises PFH on a Liability Management Exercise and issuance of new Tier 2 Notes
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Piraeus Financial Holdings (PFH) on a Liability Management Exercise and issuance of new Tier 2 Notes.
Bernitsas Law advises Eurobank on its inaugural €850m Green Senior Preferred Notes
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Eurobank in connection with the issuance and offering of its inaugural, investment grade, €850m Green Senior Preferred Notes due September 2030.
Bernitsas Law advises Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) on the acquisition of TERNA ENERGY
Bernitsas Law advised Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) on their agreement with GEK TERNA and other shareholders to acquire TERNA ENERGY. The deal represents the largest ever energy transaction on the Athens Exchange and one of the largest in the EU renewables industry.
Bernitsas Law announces the promotion of Maria Nefeli Bernitsa to Partner
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Maria Nefeli Bernitsa to Partner.
Bernitsas Law announces the promotion of Tania Patsalia to Partner
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Tania Patsalia to Partner.
Bernitsas Law announces the promotion of Fotodotis Malamas to Partner
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Fotodotis Malamas to partner.
Bernitsas Law advises GIC on the Greek leg of their entry as a new capital partner in HIP
We advised GIC, a global institutional investor, on the Greek leg of their entry as a new capital partner in Hotel Investment Partners (HIP). GIC will acquire a shareholding of approximately 35% in HIP, with funds managed by Blackstone continuing to be a majority shareholder in HIP.
Bernitsas Law advises Hoist Finance AB on Project Cell Portfolio of c.€1.5bn NPLs
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Hoist Finance AB (publ) as purchaser in connection with the sale and purchase agreement entered into with Alpha Bank acting as seller of Project Cell, a portfolio of non-performing retail loans with a total outstanding balance of approximately €1.5bn.
Bernitsas Law advises Partners Group and Pharmathen on the financing of the acquisition of CBL Patra
Bernitsas Law advised Partners Group and Pharmathen in connection with the financing of the acquisition of CBL Patras by Pharmathen.
Bernitsas Law advises Intrakat on the acquisition of Aktor
Bernitsas Law advised Intrakat on obtaining unconditional merger control clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) and thereafter on the successful completion of its acquisition of 100% of Aktor, a landmark transaction in the Greek constructions market.
Bernitsas Law advises GIC on strategic investment in Southern European hospitality platform
We advised GIC, a global institutional investor, on the Greek leg of their entry as a new capital partner in Hotel Investment Partners (HIP). GIC will acquire a shareholding of approximately 35% in HIP, with funds managed by Blackstone continuing to be a majority shareholder in HIP.
Bernitsas Law advises HelleniQ Energy Holdings on €400m refinancing
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek counsel to HelleniQ Energy Holdings in connection to the refinancing of a €400m common bond loan issued by its subsidiary, Hellenic Petroleum.
Bernitsas Law advises leading ethanol producer on €33m secured facility agreements
Bernitsas Law advised a leading ethanol producer in Greece, on 5 secured facility agreements in the amount of €33m with Piraeus Bank SA as lender, for the financing of the construction of a new state-of-the-art ethanol production facility, which will be the largest ethanol production unit in Greece.
Bernitsas Law advises Constant Contact on the acquisition of Moosend from Sitecore
Bernitsas Law advised Constant Contact on the acquisition of Moosend, an email marketing and automation platform provider, from Sitecore.
Bernitsas Law advises on the IPO of Qualco Group SA on the Athens Stock Exchange
Bernitsas Law advised on the successful initial public offering and listing on the main market of ATHEX of Qualco Group SA.
Bernitsas Law advises Olympia Group of Companies on the refinancing of the acquisition of Entersoft
Bernitsas Law advised international investment group Olympia Group of Companies in connection with the refinancing of the acquisition of Entersoft SA as part of Project Unity and the financing of Entersoft SA and Softone SA.
Bernitsas Law secures unconditional phase 1 merger clearance for the acquisition of MILORA by Aktor
Bernitsas Law advised Aktor Group of Companies in obtaining phase 1 merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) in relation to the acquisition of MILORA, a real estate investment company.
Bernitsas Law advises J.C. Flowers & Co. on the acquisition of Pepper Advantage Limited
Bernitsas Law advised on the Greek legal aspects of J.C. Flowers & Co.'s acquisition of Pepper Advantage Limited, a leading credit management firm with operations across Europe and Asia backed by the global investment firm KKR.
Bernitsas Law advises CVC on the sale of Ethniki Hellenic General Insurance to Piraeus Bank
Bernitsas Law advised on the sale by Ethniki Holdings Limited, a holding company managed by CVC Capital Partners Fund VII, of its 90.01% stake in Ethniki Asfalistiki to Piraeus Bank for a total consideration of €600m on a 100% basis.
Bernitsas Law advises Eurobank Holdings on its €588.5m liability management exercise
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Eurobank Ergasias Services and Holdings S.A. (Eurobank Holdings) in connection with a liability management exercise (LME).
Bernitsas Law advises Aktor Group of Companies on its successful equity capital raising of €200m
Bernitsas Law advised Aktor Société Anonyme Holding Company Technical and Energy Projects (Aktor Group of Companies) in connection with its successful equity capital raising of €200m pursuant to a rights issue, and the listing of the new Aktor Group of Companies shares on the Athens Exchange.
Bernitsas Law advises KOSMOCAR on the acquisition of MAN Hellas Truck & Bus SA
Bernitsas Law advised KOSMOCAR SA in connection with their successful acquisition of MAN HELLAS Truck & Bus SA.
Bernitsas Law secures phase 1 merger clearance for the acquisition by KOSMOCAR of MAN Hellas
Bernitsas Law advised KOSMOCAR SA in obtaining phase 1 merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) in relation to KOSMOCAR’s acquisition of sole control over MAN Hellas Truck & Bus SA.
Bernitsas Law advises CVC and HHG on the disposal of part of its stake to Purehealth
Bernitsas Law advised CVC and Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) in connection with the sale of a 60% stake in HHG to PureHealth Holding PJSC by CVC and HHG’s CEO. The deal values HHG at €2.2bn and its completion is currently subject to regulatory approvals.
Bernitsas Law advises on the acquisition of Hermes Portfolio of €700m NPLs
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to AP Hermes Securitisation S.à r.l. in connection with the acquisition of an NPL Portfolio of unsecured and secured loans of a total legal claim of c. €700m (Hermes Portfolio).
Bernitsas Law advises Georgoudis SA on partnership with AG Olives Group
Bernitsas Law advised Georgoudis SA on its strategic partnership with Aceitunas Guadalquivir (AG) Olives Group which is backed by Alantra Private Equity.
Bernitsas Law advises Santander UK in $27m facilities agreement
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Santander UK plc, in its capacity as Agent, Arranger, Original Hedge Counterparty, Security Agent and the Original Lender, in connection with the amendment and restatement of a $27m facilities agreement.
Bernitsas Law advises HELLENiQ ENERGY Real Estate on €50m financing
Bernitsas Law acted as legal counsel to HELLENiQ ENERGY Real Estate and its shareholder HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings, in connection with an up to €50m common secured bond loan issued by HELLENiQ ENERGY Real Estate to Eurobank for the acquisition of real estate property.
Bernitsas Law advises Thanos Hotels & Resorts on €107m financing package and activities relocation
Bernitsas Law advised Thanos Hotels & Resorts on successfully securing a €107m financing package with Piraeus Bank.
Bernitsas Law advises China State Grid on the acquisition of 20% stake in Ariadne Interconnection
Bernitsas Law advised China State Grid in relation to the acquisition of 20% stake in Ariadne Interconnection, a subsidiary of Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator, implementing the electricity interconnection between Attica and Crete.
Bernitsas Law advises PFH on a Liability Management Exercise and issuance of new Tier 2 Notes
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Piraeus Financial Holdings (PFH) on a Liability Management Exercise and issuance of new Tier 2 Notes.
Bernitsas Law advises Eurobank on its inaugural €850m Green Senior Preferred Notes
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Eurobank in connection with the issuance and offering of its inaugural, investment grade, €850m Green Senior Preferred Notes due September 2030.
Bernitsas Law advises Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) on the acquisition of TERNA ENERGY
Bernitsas Law advised Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) on their agreement with GEK TERNA and other shareholders to acquire TERNA ENERGY. The deal represents the largest ever energy transaction on the Athens Exchange and one of the largest in the EU renewables industry.
Bernitsas Law announces the promotion of Maria Nefeli Bernitsa to Partner
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Maria Nefeli Bernitsa to Partner.
Bernitsas Law announces the promotion of Tania Patsalia to Partner
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Tania Patsalia to Partner.
Bernitsas Law announces the promotion of Fotodotis Malamas to Partner
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Fotodotis Malamas to partner.
Bernitsas Law advises GIC on the Greek leg of their entry as a new capital partner in HIP
We advised GIC, a global institutional investor, on the Greek leg of their entry as a new capital partner in Hotel Investment Partners (HIP). GIC will acquire a shareholding of approximately 35% in HIP, with funds managed by Blackstone continuing to be a majority shareholder in HIP.
Bernitsas Law advises Hoist Finance AB on Project Cell Portfolio of c.€1.5bn NPLs
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek law counsel to Hoist Finance AB (publ) as purchaser in connection with the sale and purchase agreement entered into with Alpha Bank acting as seller of Project Cell, a portfolio of non-performing retail loans with a total outstanding balance of approximately €1.5bn.
Bernitsas Law advises Partners Group and Pharmathen on the financing of the acquisition of CBL Patra
Bernitsas Law advised Partners Group and Pharmathen in connection with the financing of the acquisition of CBL Patras by Pharmathen.
Bernitsas Law advises Intrakat on the acquisition of Aktor
Bernitsas Law advised Intrakat on obtaining unconditional merger control clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) and thereafter on the successful completion of its acquisition of 100% of Aktor, a landmark transaction in the Greek constructions market.
Bernitsas Law advises GIC on strategic investment in Southern European hospitality platform
We advised GIC, a global institutional investor, on the Greek leg of their entry as a new capital partner in Hotel Investment Partners (HIP). GIC will acquire a shareholding of approximately 35% in HIP, with funds managed by Blackstone continuing to be a majority shareholder in HIP.
Bernitsas Law advises HelleniQ Energy Holdings on €400m refinancing
Bernitsas Law acted as Greek counsel to HelleniQ Energy Holdings in connection to the refinancing of a €400m common bond loan issued by its subsidiary, Hellenic Petroleum.