
Karatzas & Partners

About
Managing Partner: Catherine-Marie Karatzas
Number of partners: 10
Number of other lawyers: 51
Languages: Greek, English, French, German, Italian
Firm Overview:
Karatzas & Partners law firm was established in 1963, and has since grown and expanded steadily. The firm offers legal services and advice on the entire spectrum of commercial and financial law, including banking and finance, capital markets, general corporate and commercial law, competition law/anti-trust, energy law, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate law, tax law, employment law, securities law and telecommunications law, with a client base in both Greece and abroad. The firm’s litigation department represents clients in litigation before courts and arbitral tribunals.
Main Areas of Practice:
Banking:
Karatzas & Partners advises on all aspects of banking and finance, including project finance, structured finance, secured and syndicated loan transactions, as well as derivatives and other OTC or listed products and securitisation.
Mergers & Acquisitions:
The firm has advised many international clients on M&A transactions in Greece.
Securities:
The firm advises both Greek and international clients active in Greece on all aspects of securities law, such as initial public offerings, regulation of business conduct of securities firms and listed companies, bond issues and takeover bids. The firm routinely represents its clients before the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and the Athens Exchange.
Corporate:
Karatzas & Partners advises on issues such as the establishment of companies and joint ventures in Greece, spin-offs of Greek companies, stock option schemes, marketing law and due diligence. It is also involved in the running of the day to day legal affairs of a number of major Greek companies with international activities.
Competition:
The firm advises international clients on all aspects of Greek and EU competition law such as merger control, vertical restraints, abuse of dominant position and concerted practices.
Litigation:
The firm represents several national and international clients before international arbitral tribunals and Greek courts and advises Greek or foreign arbitrators on litigation in the fields of banking law and commercial law.
Intellectual Property:
Karatzas & Partners has, in recent years, expanded its practice considerably in the field of intellectual property law. Current activities include trademark portfolio management, registration and litigation.
Clients:
The firm’s clients include foreign banks and multinational corporations such as Barclays, Citibank, Coca-Cola Company, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Goodyear, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Unilever and Wrigley. The firm also co-operates routinely with major legal firms, such as Allen & Overy, Cleary Gottlieb, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, Shearman & Sterling, Simpson Thacher and Bartlett, Skadden Arps, Slaughter and May and White & Case.
International Work:
Karatzas & Partners has extensive experience in advising international clients in relation to many different types of transactions and legal fields. The firm has been involved in some of the major transactions in Greece in the last few years with a strong international element.
Examples of recent projects include:
■ The 5-year benchmark Greek Government Bond issuance in February 2019, a milestone transaction to the Hellenic Republic, being the first Greek Government Bond issuance after the conclusion of the EU/IMF fiscal support and economic adjustment programme, the 10-year Greek Government Bond issuance in March 2019, which is the first 10-year Hellenic Republic’s bond issuance since March 2010, another 7-year Greek Government bond issuance in July 2019 and a €1,500,000,000 re-opening of the March 2019 issuance in October 2019
■ Advising Athens International Airport in the financing of the payment to the Greek State of the consideration for the extension of the airport development agreement (ADA) until 2046
■ Advising Athens International Airport in the financing of certain capex projects
■ Advising Crystal Almond Group and WIND Hellas in connection with the high yield bond offering of €525 million 4.250% senior secured notes due 2024
■ Advising Piraeus Bank in a pioneer and complex transaction contemplating a long-term strategic partnership between Piraeus Bank and Intrum: the establishment of a market leading credit management servicer in Greece
■ Advising MS Pharma and its largest shareholder, GMS Holdings for the potential acquisition of Genepharm S.A. This was one of the most significant M&A transactions in the pharma sector in Greece for 2019
■ Counseling National Bank of Greece with regards to the disposal of the first secured non-performing portfolio of small Business Lending and Small & Medium Enterprises loans with total principal amount of c. €0.9 billion to Symbol Investment NPLCO DAC
■ Advising SAZKA Group on its all-cash, unconditional tender offer for the acquisition of OPAP. The offer consideration exceeded € 1.9 billion. The tender offer represents the largest offer in Greece for more than 10 years and the largest cash tender offer in Greek history
Ranked Offices
Provided by Karatzas & Partners
- AthensThe Orbit-5th floor, 115 Kifissias Ave., Athens, Athens, Greece, GR 115 24
- Web: www.karatza-partners.gr
- Tel: +30 210 3713600
- Fax: +30 210 3234363
- View ranked office
Contributions
3 Contributions provided by Karatzas & Partners
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Greece
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Greece
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Greece
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Greece
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Greece
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | Greece
Karatzas & Partners rankings













Articles, highlights and press releases
31 items provided by Karatzas & Partners
K&P advised NBG on the signing of agreement to form a Joint Venture partnership with EVO
K&P advised National Bank of Greece on the signing of a definitive agreement to form a Joint Venture partnership with EVO Payments, Inc., a leading payment technology and services provider for its Merchant Acquiring Business.
K&P advised the Joint Coordinators and Bookrunners on bond issuance by CPLP Shipping Holdings PLC
K&P advised the Joint Coordinators and Bookrunners (Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank S.A. and Euroxx Securities S.A.) in connection with bond issuance of €150,000,000, by CPLP Shipping Holdings PLC, with the guarantee of its parent entity, Capital Product Partners L.P., an international shipping company.
Our firm advised Autohellas, owner of the largest private fleet of vehicles, with more than 48,000 vehicles and over 140 sales points in Greece and abroad, on a EUR 180 million financing transaction with JPMorgan Chase by securitizing long-term lease receivables.
K&P advised HELPE Group in relation to its corporate transformation plan.
K&P advised HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group of Companies one of the leading energy groups in South East Europe, with activities spanning across the energy value chain and presence in 6 countries, in relation to its corporate transformation plan.
K&P advised Chipita S.A. with regards to its $2 billion acquisition by Mondelēz International Inc.
K&P advised Chipita S.A., one of the largest producers of salty and sweet snacks in Central and Eastern Europe, with regards to its $2 billion acquisition by Mondelēz International Inc., one of the world’s leading snacking companies, with presence in over 150 countries.
K&P advised group of noteholders in relation to the restructuring of Intralot Group companies.
K&P advised an ad hoc group of noteholders in relation to the restructuring of the debt facilities of Intralot Group companies.
K&P advised on the two most significant energy transactions in Greece
K&P advised on the two most significant energy transactions in Greece.
K&P advised BC Partners on the sale of Pharmathen
K&P advised BC Partners on the sale of Pharmathen, a leading European pharmaceutical and drug delivery technology company.
K&P advised Black Sea Trade & Development Bank
K&P advised Black Sea Trade & Development Bank (BSTDB) on the granting of an up to €90.5m loan to Energean Oil and Gas S.A.
K&P advised with regards to the common bond loan issued by NOVAL Property
Karatzas & Partners advised the Lead Underwriters in the successful public offer and listing of the common bond loan issued by NOVAL Property.
Karatzas &Partners has provided advice in the landmark Vega transaction of Piraeus Bank S.A.
Karatzas &Partners has provided advice in the landmark Vega transaction of Piraeus Bank S.A.
Karatzas & Partners advised the issue of a secure Bond Loan by the 100% subs. of PPCR S.A.
Karatzas & Partners advised on the first-cluster financing of up to 8,7 m through the issue of a secure bond loan by the 100% subsidiary of PPCR S.A.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal counsel to National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal counsel to National Bank of Greece (NBG) in relation to the divestment of 90.01% of NBG’s shares in Ethniki Insurance to CVC Capital Partners.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal advisor to Viohalco S.A.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal advisor to Viohalco S.A. (Viohalco) in connection with the accelerated bookbuild offering of 25 million shares, representing 6.66% of the total share capital of ElvalHalcor S.A. (ElvalHalcor).
K&P advised the consortium of international banks in connection with Piraeus Holdings
Karatzas & Partners advised the consortium of international banks in connection with Piraeus Holding’s €1.38bln capital raise
Karatzas & Partners advised a Spanish multinational group of companies
Karatzas & Partners advised a Spanish multinational group of companies active in the fashion and beauty sectors, with respect to the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Apivita SA, a Greek-based group of companies with significantly expanding operations in Europe and in Asia.
Karatzas & Partners advises doValue
Karatzas & Partners advises doValue in Project Europe.
Karatzas & Partners advises National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners advises National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners advises Eurobank
Karatzas & Partners, in its tradition for innovation, is delighted to announce that it has advised in its recently completed NPL reduction acceleration plan Project Cairo, that is now a model for other transactions in the sector.
Karatzas &Partners advised SIDMA Steel S.A.
Our Firm advised SIDMA Steel, one of the leading Greek companies in the field of trading and industrial processing of steel products.
Karatzas &Partners advised National Bank of Greece
Karatzas &Partners advised National Bank of Greece with regards to the disposal of a portfolio of c. 2,800 non-performing, predominantly secured, corporate loans with total principal amount of c. €1.6 billion to the investment firm Bain Capital Credit.
Karatzas & Partners advised SAZKA Group
Karatzas & Partners advised SAZKA Group a.s. on the Greek law aspects of a EUR 640 million senior secured loan facility from a consortium of Czech and international lenders, including the related intercreditor agreement and the Greek law security documents.
K&P has provided advice on the first-ever in Europe Sustainability-linked Bond issued by PPC S.A.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal advisor to the initial purchasers and arrangers in the offering of the EUR 650 million, first euro high-yield sustainability-linked bond (SLB) of the Public Power Corporation S.A. (PPC S.A.).
Karatzas & Partners advises Athens International Airport (AIA)
Karatzas & Partners advised Athens International Airport (AIA) in connection with the issuance of a common bond loan of up to €100 million for five (5) airport related CapEx projects.
Karatzas & Partners advises Eurobank as regards with the largest hive-down ever performed in Greece
Karatzas & Partners is pleased to have assisted Eurobank in the hive-down of its banking sector into a new credit institution and the transformation of the existing legal entity into a holding company.
Karatzas & Partners advised the National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners advised the National Bank of Greece on the financing of two (2) wind parks fully developed by Volterra SA, member of AVAX group, operated jointly by Volterra S.A. and PPC Renewables - with a total capacity of 53.7 MW constructed in Viotia, by a special purpose vehicle.
Karatzas & Partners- doValue S.p.A- merger clearance from the HCC
Karatzas & Partners has advised doValue S.p.A. (www.dovalue.it) which is active, inter alia, in the markets of management of non-performing loans and exposures in a number of Europeancountries, in obtaining merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC).
Karatzas & Partners advises Crystal Almond Group and WIND Hellas
Karatzas & Partners advised Crystal Almond Group and WIND Hellas in connection with the high yield bond offering of €525 million 4.250% senior secured notes due 2024, the proceeds of which are used to pay back its €275 million senior secured notes due 2021 and keep €210 million on its balance sheet.
Karatzas & Partners advises Piraeus Bank
Karatzas & Partners advises Piraeus Bank in a pioneer and complex transaction contemplating a long-term strategic partnership between Piraeus Bank and Intrum.
Karatzas & Partners advises National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners is pleased to announce that our firm advised National Bank of Greece with regards to the disposal of the first secured non-performing portfolio of small Business Lending and Small & Medium Enterprises loans with total principal amount of c. €0.9 billion (Project Symbol) to Symbol
K&P advised NBG on the signing of agreement to form a Joint Venture partnership with EVO
K&P advised National Bank of Greece on the signing of a definitive agreement to form a Joint Venture partnership with EVO Payments, Inc., a leading payment technology and services provider for its Merchant Acquiring Business.
K&P advised the Joint Coordinators and Bookrunners on bond issuance by CPLP Shipping Holdings PLC
K&P advised the Joint Coordinators and Bookrunners (Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank S.A. and Euroxx Securities S.A.) in connection with bond issuance of €150,000,000, by CPLP Shipping Holdings PLC, with the guarantee of its parent entity, Capital Product Partners L.P., an international shipping company.
Our firm advised Autohellas, owner of the largest private fleet of vehicles, with more than 48,000 vehicles and over 140 sales points in Greece and abroad, on a EUR 180 million financing transaction with JPMorgan Chase by securitizing long-term lease receivables.
K&P advised HELPE Group in relation to its corporate transformation plan.
K&P advised HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group of Companies one of the leading energy groups in South East Europe, with activities spanning across the energy value chain and presence in 6 countries, in relation to its corporate transformation plan.
K&P advised Chipita S.A. with regards to its $2 billion acquisition by Mondelēz International Inc.
K&P advised Chipita S.A., one of the largest producers of salty and sweet snacks in Central and Eastern Europe, with regards to its $2 billion acquisition by Mondelēz International Inc., one of the world’s leading snacking companies, with presence in over 150 countries.
K&P advised group of noteholders in relation to the restructuring of Intralot Group companies.
K&P advised an ad hoc group of noteholders in relation to the restructuring of the debt facilities of Intralot Group companies.
K&P advised on the two most significant energy transactions in Greece
K&P advised on the two most significant energy transactions in Greece.
K&P advised BC Partners on the sale of Pharmathen
K&P advised BC Partners on the sale of Pharmathen, a leading European pharmaceutical and drug delivery technology company.
K&P advised Black Sea Trade & Development Bank
K&P advised Black Sea Trade & Development Bank (BSTDB) on the granting of an up to €90.5m loan to Energean Oil and Gas S.A.
K&P advised with regards to the common bond loan issued by NOVAL Property
Karatzas & Partners advised the Lead Underwriters in the successful public offer and listing of the common bond loan issued by NOVAL Property.
Karatzas &Partners has provided advice in the landmark Vega transaction of Piraeus Bank S.A.
Karatzas &Partners has provided advice in the landmark Vega transaction of Piraeus Bank S.A.
Karatzas & Partners advised the issue of a secure Bond Loan by the 100% subs. of PPCR S.A.
Karatzas & Partners advised on the first-cluster financing of up to 8,7 m through the issue of a secure bond loan by the 100% subsidiary of PPCR S.A.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal counsel to National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal counsel to National Bank of Greece (NBG) in relation to the divestment of 90.01% of NBG’s shares in Ethniki Insurance to CVC Capital Partners.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal advisor to Viohalco S.A.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal advisor to Viohalco S.A. (Viohalco) in connection with the accelerated bookbuild offering of 25 million shares, representing 6.66% of the total share capital of ElvalHalcor S.A. (ElvalHalcor).
K&P advised the consortium of international banks in connection with Piraeus Holdings
Karatzas & Partners advised the consortium of international banks in connection with Piraeus Holding’s €1.38bln capital raise
Karatzas & Partners advised a Spanish multinational group of companies
Karatzas & Partners advised a Spanish multinational group of companies active in the fashion and beauty sectors, with respect to the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Apivita SA, a Greek-based group of companies with significantly expanding operations in Europe and in Asia.
Karatzas & Partners advises doValue
Karatzas & Partners advises doValue in Project Europe.
Karatzas & Partners advises National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners advises National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners advises Eurobank
Karatzas & Partners, in its tradition for innovation, is delighted to announce that it has advised in its recently completed NPL reduction acceleration plan Project Cairo, that is now a model for other transactions in the sector.
Karatzas &Partners advised SIDMA Steel S.A.
Our Firm advised SIDMA Steel, one of the leading Greek companies in the field of trading and industrial processing of steel products.
Karatzas &Partners advised National Bank of Greece
Karatzas &Partners advised National Bank of Greece with regards to the disposal of a portfolio of c. 2,800 non-performing, predominantly secured, corporate loans with total principal amount of c. €1.6 billion to the investment firm Bain Capital Credit.
Karatzas & Partners advised SAZKA Group
Karatzas & Partners advised SAZKA Group a.s. on the Greek law aspects of a EUR 640 million senior secured loan facility from a consortium of Czech and international lenders, including the related intercreditor agreement and the Greek law security documents.
K&P has provided advice on the first-ever in Europe Sustainability-linked Bond issued by PPC S.A.
Karatzas & Partners acted as Greek legal advisor to the initial purchasers and arrangers in the offering of the EUR 650 million, first euro high-yield sustainability-linked bond (SLB) of the Public Power Corporation S.A. (PPC S.A.).
Karatzas & Partners advises Athens International Airport (AIA)
Karatzas & Partners advised Athens International Airport (AIA) in connection with the issuance of a common bond loan of up to €100 million for five (5) airport related CapEx projects.
Karatzas & Partners advises Eurobank as regards with the largest hive-down ever performed in Greece
Karatzas & Partners is pleased to have assisted Eurobank in the hive-down of its banking sector into a new credit institution and the transformation of the existing legal entity into a holding company.
Karatzas & Partners advised the National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners advised the National Bank of Greece on the financing of two (2) wind parks fully developed by Volterra SA, member of AVAX group, operated jointly by Volterra S.A. and PPC Renewables - with a total capacity of 53.7 MW constructed in Viotia, by a special purpose vehicle.
Karatzas & Partners- doValue S.p.A- merger clearance from the HCC
Karatzas & Partners has advised doValue S.p.A. (www.dovalue.it) which is active, inter alia, in the markets of management of non-performing loans and exposures in a number of Europeancountries, in obtaining merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC).
Karatzas & Partners advises Crystal Almond Group and WIND Hellas
Karatzas & Partners advised Crystal Almond Group and WIND Hellas in connection with the high yield bond offering of €525 million 4.250% senior secured notes due 2024, the proceeds of which are used to pay back its €275 million senior secured notes due 2021 and keep €210 million on its balance sheet.
Karatzas & Partners advises Piraeus Bank
Karatzas & Partners advises Piraeus Bank in a pioneer and complex transaction contemplating a long-term strategic partnership between Piraeus Bank and Intrum.
Karatzas & Partners advises National Bank of Greece
Karatzas & Partners is pleased to announce that our firm advised National Bank of Greece with regards to the disposal of the first secured non-performing portfolio of small Business Lending and Small & Medium Enterprises loans with total principal amount of c. €0.9 billion (Project Symbol) to Symbol