Schoenherr is highly regarded for its M&A practice, with the team specialising in merger control clearances for cross-border transactions, often working in collaboration with their other offices across the CEE region. Further activities include ongoing advice to clients on the implementation and testing of compliance programmes and FDI analyses. Ilko Stoyanov specialises in merger clearance proceedings and leads the practice alongside Galina Petkova, who handles contentious mandates, including antitrust investigations and unfair competition disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The competition team at Schoenherr is exceptional in every respect. The team demonstrates impressive depth of knowledge in Ukrainian and EU competition law, consistently providing strategic, high-quality counsel on complex issues. The team's expertise, professionalism, and dedication to excellence make them a trusted partner for any competition law matters.’

  • ‘Ilko Stoyanov and Galina Petkova are excellent lawyers. They combine technical expertise with sharp strategic insight, delivering clear, practical guidance on complex matters. Their client-centered approach and responsiveness are exceptional; they go consistently goes above and beyond to address business needs with precision and efficiency. I highly recommend Ilko Stoyanov and Galina Petkova for their expertise, dedication and exceptional client service.’

  • ‘The team (Ilko Stoyanov and Ema Stoyanova) is very pleasant to work with and provide clear and structured advice.’

  • ‘Ilko and his team run a good competition law practice.’

Key clients

  • Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC
  • Borealis AG
  • BC Partners
  • GTS Ground Transportation System Austria GmbH
  • EBRD, Beneficiary: Ministry of energy
  • Smurfit Kappa Bulgaria EOOD
  • NEPI Project one EOOD
  • Shimano
  • Bulstrad Life Vienna Insurance Group
  • Oiltanking GmbH
  • IBH S.r.l.
  • Carrier Global Corporation
  • Dentatechnika EOOD
  • Rubble Master HMH GmbH
  • Bosch.IO EOOD
  • GTC Bulgaria
  • Hisense Europe Holding GmbH
  • Autodesk, Inc.
  • Vivacom Bulgaria
  • Bosch Software Innovations
  • Robert Bosch OOD
  • Intersnack Bulgaria EOOD
  • MET Group
  • OMV Bulgaria OOD
  • Ringier AG
  • UNIQA Real Estate GmbH

Work highlights

  • Advised Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (e&) alongside Sullivan & Cromwell London on the acquisition of a controlling stake in PPF Telecom Group's assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia
  • Advised Smurfit Kappa Bulgaria EOOD on the acquisition of Artemis EOOD's bag-in-box business and certain related production sites owned by Hell Bull Estate OOD.
  • Advised the EBRD and the Ministry of Energy on the implementation of Investment 6 (1.4 GW RES and Batteries Project) and Investment 8 (3 GW storage - RESTORE Project) under the Recovery and Resilience Plan with total value of over EUR 1bn, as well as on improvement of the legal framework to facilitate the RES and storage growth in the country.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ilko Stoyanov, Galina Petkova

Other key lawyers

Kristina Bozhinova, Ema Stoyanova