BGI Legal > Tbilisi, Georgia > Firm Profile
BGI Legal Offices
Meidan Palace Business Center
44 Kote Abkhazi Street
Tbilisi 0108
Georgia
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BGI Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings
Georgia > Banking and finance Tier 1
Leveraging the knowledge of a number of highly experienced partners, the ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ team at BGI Legal has the critical mass and level of expertise to handle a broad range of mandates for lenders and borrowers. The firm is ‘an ideal choice on cross-border transactions involving a Georgian element’ because of its ability to effectively meld strong local knowledge with an international mindset. Dual New York and Georgian qualified Lasha Gogiberidze has the ‘ability to effectively handle challenging legal issues that financial institutions in Georgia may encounter,’ including capital markets and project finance work. Unana Gogokhia is adept at handling debt and equity capital markets work for issuers and underwriters, which she combines with a more general finance offering. The team is rounded out by Sandro Bibilashvili, who excels at handing project and energy financing transactions.Practice head(s):
Lasha Gogiberidze; Unana Gogokhia
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is very responsive and knowledgeable.’
‘The lawyers are dedicated problem solvers, lateral thinkers, and are always willing to consider new approaches and angles.’
‘The BGI team is highly experienced in the Georgian market, making them a reliable and quality choice. It is an ideal choice on cross-border transactions involving a Georgian element.’
‘Lasha Gogiberidze possesses the ability to effectively handle challenging legal issues that financial institutions in Georgia may encounter.’
‘Unana Gogokhia is always available, easy to reach, responsive, and had in depth knowledge that she could apply to our case.’
‘The partners were reachable throughout the assignment and the team has been accommodating client requests.’
‘Unana and her team were more than happy to guide our team throughout the process, they were always available to answer questions and provide information, attend meetings with us and/or with our counterparty, advise what would be the best way for us to proceed.’
‘Unana is definitely the team member who is worth a special mention. She was always available, easy to reach, swift in responding, answerable to the work product and had in depth knowledge that she could apply to our case. We felt very comfortable working with her and the BGI team.’
Key clients
Binance
EFSE
Green for Growth Fund
Global Climate Partnership Fund
ResponsAbility Investments AG
4finance
Citi
Jeffrey’s
Merrill Lynch
J.P. Morgan
Barclays
BNP Paribas
UBS
Goldman Sachs
Société Générale
Ceska exportni banka a.s.
Amsterdam Trade Bank
East-West United Bank
Procredit Bank
IQ option
MoneyGram
Western Union
Mastercard
AC Maritime Lending
ACT Maritime LLC
Liberty Bank
Coinbase
TBC Bank
E-Toro
Alipay
Bitgo
Bene Shipping & Star Shipping
Work highlights
- Advised a multilateral development bank on its debut issuance of GEL denominated bonds.
- Advised a number of lenders managed by a leading alternative capital provider to the shipping industry on financing of the borrower’s acquisition of sea vessels, with a total value of the deals over $40bn.
- Advised a leading fintech platform on licensing and consumer protection regimes in Georgia.
Georgia > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
The ‘highly experienced’ team at BGI Legal is popular among large international corporates on transactional and day-to-day commercial work. The scope of the work is broad, encompassing joint venture structuring, reorganisations, commercial contract drafting and M&A activity, with clients spanning a myriad of industry sectors. Lasha Gogiberidze 'can effectively handle challenging legal issues,' including a plethora of work for foreign investors in privatization deals vis-à-vis the Georgian government. Zaza Bibilashvili co-heads the team alongside Gogiberidze and has excellent credibility among TMT and energy clients. Sandro Bibilashvili is dual US and Georgian qualified and is also extremely well-versed at handling work for international clients, particularly within the energy sector. Recognised as an ‘excellent problem-solver,’ Tamara Tevdoradze has niche expertise advising international corporates on data protection matters. Unana Gogokhia is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Lasha Gogiberidze; Zaza Bibilashvili
Other key lawyers:
Sandro Bibilashvili; Unane Gogokhia; Tamara Tevdoradze; Sopho Natroshvili
Testimonials
‘We especially appreciate their excellent English language skills, the ability to quickly provide dual language documents, the responsiveness of team members, and their use of the latest technology to allow for the best communication available.’
‘It is a highly experienced team.’
‘Lasha Gogiberidze can effectively handle challenging legal issues that financial institutions in Georgia may encounter. He is an excellent choice for cross-border transactions involving a Georgian element.’
‘Tamara Tevdoradze is a problem-solver who has a willingness to not only answer our stated questions, but also to perceive our end goals and help us reach them; she has an easy-going personality, making it a pleasure to work with her.’
‘Tamara Tevdoradze is very responsive and on top of projects.’
‘Dedicated problem solvers, lateral thinkers, never reluctant to try new approaches and angles.’
‘The BGI team is highly experienced in the Georgian market, making them a reliable and quality choice. When it comes to cross-border litigations or transactions involving the Georgian element, BGI is an ideal choice.’
Key clients
Airbnb Ireland UC
Apple Inc.
Facebook/Meta Platforms Inc.
BP Georgia
MND Group NV
Marriot International
Vialis Belgium NV
CT Park
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
IHI Corporation No
Flutter Entertainment Plc
Johnson & Johnson
Sanofi
Novartis
Pfizer
Procter& Gamble
GlaxoSmithKline
Berlin-Chemie/A. Menarini Distribution Georgia
Pharmaceutical Research Associates
International Committee of Red Cross
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voith GmbH
SOCAR Midstream Operations
Gelato ASA
TEPCO
EU Delegation to Georgia
Yenigun Construction
Carl Zeiss
Nodar Kipshidze National Center of Therapy
Pizza Hut
Work highlights
- Advised several global aircraft leasing services providers on their business operations in Georgia.
- Advised H&M on various legal matters related to the daily operation of the company.
- Advised a client in respect of a multi-jurisdictional M&A deal involving the sale of Cypriot and Georgian companies’ holding rights to the largest licensed oilfield in Georgia.
Georgia > Dispute resolution Tier 1
The team at BGI Legal provides ‘detail-oriented and effective’ advice to a primarily international roster of corporate clients across the full scope of their litigation requirements, including as it relates to commercial, IP, real estate, white-collar and employment disputes. Dovetailing with his own compelling transactional practice, team head Zaza Bibilashvili is particularly adept at handling high-profile corporate/commercial disputes. He is also one of many in the team with significant ADR experience, and has himself served as an arbitrator on numerous ICC arbitration cases. Sandro Bibilashvili has argued cases at all levels of the Georgian court hierarchy and is noted for his mediation skills, as is Giorgi Sarajishvili, who is ‘great at negotiating settlements on mediation’. Davit Kakoishvili excels in white-collar and extradition cases, while the ‘very diligent and hardworking’ Lika Topuria has recently handled some high-profile cases for creditors in the airline industry, as well as IP disputes for large food and beverage companies.Practice head(s):
Zaza Bibilashvili
Other key lawyers:
Sandro Bibilashvili; Giorgi Sarajishvili; Davit Kakoishvili; Ani Khojelani; Lika Topuria
Testimonials
‘They are detail-oriented and effective.’
‘The team is very organised and highly professional.’
‘Giorgi Sarajishvili is very good at communicating and explaining the risks and peculiarities associated with any given litigation. He is responsive and insightful.’
‘Giorgi Sarajishvili is great at negotiating settlements on mediation.’
‘Sandro Bibilashvili is very reliable and knowledgeable.’
‘Lika Topuria is very diligent and hardworking. She is also great at negotiating settlements.’
Key clients
Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia
East-West United Bank & Sistema Holding
Rustavi 2
Carlsberg
Scotch Whisky Association
AgriUni
Mey Alkollu
Skoda Praha a.s.
Wilhelmsen Georgia
Penumbra.Inc
JSC Nenskra Hydro
Corner Banca
Sinohydro
Abbey Asset Management
Discovery Networks
BASF
VEON
British Petroleum (BP) Georgia
Stichting iFund
Apple
Vialis Belgium
Ferrero
McDonald’s Georgia
MND Group
Pimeks Georgia
Park Gate
JSC Heritage Securities
International Finance Corporation
Asian Development Bank
Ilia State University
Air Lease Corporation
Spairliners
TBC Bank
Lavazza
Upton Trade & Globe AG
Majorel Georgia, LLC
Work highlights
- Represented ADB in a precedent-setting case where the Georgian court recognized the immunity of ADB from legal processes in Georgia.
- Represented one of the largest bottlers of soft drinks in the region in the Georgian Supreme Court in a landmark case on recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award.
Georgia > Real estate and construction (and projects) Tier 1
Instructed by a diverse array of stakeholders, including investors, banks and developers, BGI Legal has an excellent perspective of the commercial and legal requirements required to successfully conclude real estate and construction matters. Under the guidance of Zaza Bibilashvili and Tamara Tevdoradze, the team has gained particular acclaim for its work in the energy space and as part of its multi-disciplinary approach regularly advises on the real estate-related matters associated with facilitating large-scale fossil fuels and renewables projects. Lasha Gogiberidze's work in the space spans both “brick and mortar” matters, as well as corporate real estate mandates, to include M&A and asset deals involving shopping malls. Sandro Bibilashvili is also a key member of the team, regularly advising investors and financiers on hydropower projects and also regularly engaged by foreign diplomatic missions on their real estate requirements in Georgia.Practice head(s):
Zaza Bibilashvili; Tamara Tevdoradze
Other key lawyers:
Lasha Gogiberidze; Sandro Bibilashvili; Unana Gogokhia; Sopho Natroshvili
Key clients
IFC
EBRD
Korea Water Resources Corporation
Embassies of Great Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Poland and Hungary in Georgia
ECON Pöyry
BP Georgia
SOCAR Midstream Operations
CT Park
Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors
Marriott International
TEPCO
World Experience Georgia
Anaklia City
Sarnia Holding & Finance
Ferrero International
Diplomat Georgia
MND Group
Yeniguin Construction Industry &Comm. Inc
Sheraton
IHI Corporation
JVG Vastgoed Groep BV
CEFC
Homeowners’ Association of Park Gate
Mowat Georgia
Ninotsminda Oil Company
Goldcept Resources Ltd
JSC Nenskra Hydro
Dutch House Orbeti
Finbert Group
Ilia State University
Delegation of the European Union in Georgia
Work highlights
- Advised the local subsidiary of Ferrero International on various stages of the $10m+ implementation of a hazelnut plantation project in western Georgia.
- Advised a US investment company (part of Finbert Group) on the $11m+ development of a multi-functional real estate project in the center of Tbilisi.
- Advised a group of UK-based private investors regarding the development of a multifunctional real estate project in the historic part of Tbilisi, with a project value over $15m.
BGI Legal > Firm Profile
The firm: BGI Legal was founded in 2005 by senior partners Zaza Bibilashvili and Lasha Gogiberidze. The founding of BGI followed Ernst & Young’s global decision to exit from the legal service market. BGI is a successor to GCG Law Office (member of the Anderson Legal network at the time) and shares the legacy of EY Law Tbilisi. Since foundation BGI has almost doubled in size.
BGI’s lawyers have taken a lead role in almost every major transaction to take place in Georgia over the last two decades. Its experience of recognised market leaders puts it in a unique position to assist clients by effectively synergising international experience with peculiarities of the local business environment. It represents major foreign investors and lending institutions, real estate and infrastructure developers, national companies, joint ventures, diplomatic missions and international organisations.
It continues to be the referral firm of choice for most international law firms operating in Georgia, regularly undertaking mandates on behalf of Baker & McKenzie, Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, White & Case, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose Fulbright and other global giants.
Its practice offers unparalleled diversity and breadth in its ability to guide clients in the increasingly challenging environment of Georgia’s fast-paced economic and legal development.
Almost all of of its attorneys have advanced law degrees from US and European law schools and are well-versed in the tradition of western law practices, while two of its partners are also licensed to practice in the State of New York.
Areas of practice: BGI Legal is recognised as Georgia’s leading independent full-service law firm, offering clients the full range of legal and professional services.
It holds the record, in so far as the number of deals involving capital markets with Georgian assets are concerned; no one has more deals on this front, neither from those that went public nor those handled through private placement.
A couple of years ago the firm had the largest single date closings that any local law firm has ever been involved within the history of Georgia, with two transactions simultaneously closing on the same day with the total dollar value of US$750m.
In the energy sector, BGI has had the privilege to be involved in most of the major energy and infrastructure projects in Georgia during the last two decades, starting from the most important project in the recent history of Georgia – oil and gas pipelines operated by BP, transporting Caspian oil and gas from the Caspian region through Georgia to Europe. Other notable projects BGI has worked on without limitations include: Tbilisi International Airport, Batumi LPG Terminal, Poti Port, Shuakhevi HPP, Nenskra HPP & Namakhvani HPP projects, etc.
It has advised numerous clients on the establishment of joint ventures with private and public sector counterparts, including advice on the selection of corporate vehicles, the drafting and negotiation of complex shareholder agreements and corporate charters and legal due diligence on domestic partners and target companies. Following incorporation, its service offerings range from employment and leasing to sales, distribution, and franchise agreements.
During 2017, BGI enriched the firm’s portfolio with several historic achievements, setting international legal precedents and establishing national/international case law. In particular, representing interests of Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia it has recently prevailed in a matter of recognition and enforcement of a foreign arbitral award. This Supreme Court decision will serve as a guideline for practitioners and increase the level of certainty for parties seeking enforcement of arbitration awards in Georgia.
It represented Georgia’s former Prime Minister Ivane Merabishvili. The Grand Chamber of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered a landmark judgment on 28 November 2017 ruling that Georgia had violated Articles 5.3 and 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to the former Prime Minister. This was the first case ever where violation of Article 18 was established by the Grand Chamber of ECHR.
BGI also acted for the owners of the largest and the most popular private broadcasting company in Georgia, Rustavi 2. After Georgian courts ruled to deprive the current owners of their shares in the company, ECHR suspended the enforcement of the decision of the Supreme Court of Georgia. This was the first ever case in the ECHR’s 60-year history when such a remedy was used in a civil case.
IP law has been an increasingly dynamic practice area in recent years. BGI set major national precedents by registering a trade mark based on ‘distinctiveness acquired through use’ and cancelling a domain name where it contains another party’s trade mark on behalf of multinational confectionery giant Ferrero and Facebook, respectively.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking, securities and capital markets | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Banking, securities and capital markets | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Banking, securities and capital markets | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Project and trade finance | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Project and trade finance | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Project and trade finance | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Energy and infrastructure | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Energy and infrastructure | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Energy and infrastructure | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Privatisation and government relations | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Privatisation and government relations | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Corporate structuring, M&A and joint ventures | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Corporate structuring, M&A and joint ventures | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Corporate structuring, M&A and joint ventures | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Real estate and construction | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Real estate and construction | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
IP | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
IP | Giorgi Sarajishvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Telecommunications, media and information technologies | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Telecommunications, media and information technologies | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Personal data protection | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Personal data protection | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Competition law | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Competition law | Unana Gogokhia | unana.gogokhia@bgi.ge | |
Tax and customs advice | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Tax and customs advice | Giorgi Sarajishvili | giorgi.sarajishvili@bgi.ge | |
Dispute resolution | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Dispute resolution | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Dispute resolution | Giorgi Sarajishvili | giorgi.sarajishvili@bgi.ge | |
Legislative drafting | Lasha Gogiberidze | lasha.gogiberidze@bgi.ge | |
Legislative drafting | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Diplomatic missions | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Diplomatic missions | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Corporate registrations and incorporation | Tamara Tevdoradze | tamara.tevdoradze@bgi.ge | |
Employment | Sandro Bibilashvili | sandro.bibilashvili@bgi.ge | |
Criminal law and international courts | Zaza Bibilashvili | zaza.bibilashvili@bgi.ge |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Zaza Bibilashvili | Senior Partner | View Profile | |
Sandro Bibilashvili | Partner Advised IFIs in financing 434 MW cascade in the Western Georgia… | View Profile | |
Mr Lasha Gogiberidze | Senior Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Unana Gogokhia | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Giorgi Sarajishvili | Head of Litigation Practice • Represented the interests of foreign investors operating… | View Profile | |
Tamara Tevdoradze | Partner | View Profile |