Fortsakis, Diakopoulos, Mylonogiannis & Associates

Fortsakis, Diakopoulos & Associates (FDMA) is a leading Greek law firm providing a comprehensive range of elite legal services across the full spectrum of business, administrative and tax law and possessing second-to-none advisory expertise on landmark business transactions in Greece in the last years.

The firm boasts today of a vibrant and multi-disciplined team of top-class practitioners, including 5 partners and 19 attorneys (counsels and attorneys), all recognised experts in their respective fields of specialisation.

The practice covers a wide spectrum of legal areas ranging from major privatisation/PPP projects, to complex corporate commercial and tax law matters to dispute resolution of business/commercial disputes and tax-related matters. FDMA is recognised as a leading expert in the fields of Greek energy law, M&A's and investment projects in Greece.

The firm's hands-on approach to its clients’ affairs has earned it the reputation of one of the best legal teams in the Greek market, enjoying long-standing relationships with an unmatched variety of Greek and international clients, which includes other law firms and the Big 4 accounting companies, multinationals, foreign State enterprises, financial institutions, utilities and public contractors in investment, construction and energy projects, as well as public law entities and the Greek State.

It is the firm's policy to combine proven legal expertise with commercial flair, thus adding extra value and scope to the firm's clients' business and pursuing best results for their objectives and commercial activities in a demanding and changing legal environment. To this effect, the firm strives to meet its client’s needs by providing timely and efficient services and creative and practical solutions, even when handling the most intricate matters.

Corporate & M&A

Highlights

Advise Piraeus Container Terminal

Legal counsel to EDA Attikis

Advising one of the Greek systemic banks on Follie Follie's restructuring

Advised Airbus Group subsidiaries in Greece

Advised Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) on the concession of Egnatia Odos Motorway

Advised a Prequalified Investor in relation to the acquisition of 30% in the share capital of Athens International Airport

Advised one of the interested bidders for the assets of ELVO SA

Advised COSCO Group on the restructuring and expansion of the concession of the Piraeus port container terminal

Advised HRADF on the privatization process of Port of Lavrio

Dispute Resolution

Highlights

Representing Novartis Hellas on disputes from the imposition of claw back and rebates

Represented the union of companies "ACCIONA CONCESIONES, S.L." & "MYTILINEOS S.A." in relation to the awarding of a PPP agreement for the Motorway “Pylos-Kalamata”

Represented major Greek construction company on the awarding of a PPP contract for waste management

Represented union "ACCIONA CONCESIONES, S.L." & "MYTILINEOS S.A." on the awarding of a concession agreement and a PPP contract for the Northern Crete Road Axis

Advised Forthnet on a special social security contribution

Advised and represented HRADF on Environmental Terms Approvals of its assets

Energy

Recent Highlights

Advised IGI Poseidon in relation to its tendering procedures

Advised EDA Attikis on all matters (corporate and regulatory)

Advised DEPA on various regulatory issues and awarding procedures

Advised DEI on its awarding procedures

Advised a Statkraft AS' subsidiary in relation to its licensing by the Greek Regulatory Authority for Energy

Advised Eunice Trading on energy specific regulatory issues

Advised DESFA in relation to regulatory issues and awarding procedures

Tax

Highlights

Represented a systemic bank for the refund of tax withheld on interest accrued on bonds

Represented two of the systemic banks on submitting an application before the ECHR for the refund of tax withheld on interest accrued on bonds

Represented Vodafone regarding the refund of stamp duties imposed on cross–border cash pooling transactions

Represented DEPA regarding tax treatment of tax withheld on dividends payment

Represented Hellenic Petroleum on its claim for the refund of tax withheld on payment of interests

Represented Greek Church of Scientology on the imposition of Special Property Tax

Represented Co-operative Union of Tobacco producers in Greece on its dispute with the tax authorities for the matter of previous year’s tax loss’ deductibility

Advised Alouminion Hellas regarding the fiscal carry forward of losses in case of cross–border mergers

Represented MEDOCHEMIE on the imposition of income tax after correction of the transfer pricing applied between the company and its mother entity

Represented two high profile executives of a global investment firm regarding their–alleged-personal liability for income tax and VAT

Technology, Media & Telecommunications

Highlights

Advised Qualco SA on the negotiation, drafting and closing of a highly complex debt portfolio management services agreement

Advised MEC Medianetwork Hellas, on all its transactions and contracts with Greek broadcasters and media companies

Advised Forthnet in relation to its participation in the Tender for the introduction of the VDSL vectoring technology

Advised Vodafone and Wind in relation to regulatory framework and compliance and licensing issues

Advised IOC’s broadcasting arm on the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

Advised the official broadcasters of the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Represented Wind on the awarding of PPP contracts for Ultra-Fast Broadband Infrastructure