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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • '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.

Lawyers

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Partner Advised IFIs in financing 434 MW cascade in the Western Georgia Represented a Luxembourg bank in a Georgian litigation involving assets of one of the largest industrial enterprises in Georgia Represented a large European infrastructure company in a procurement-related dispute with local authorities in Georgia Represented a major European oil & gas company in a shareholder dispute involving operating licensed blocks in the Eastern Georgia Advised major Chinese enterprise in respect of proposed M&A deal involving potential large HPP cascade in Georgia Advised a foreign government agency on developing a 280 MW hydro-power plant jointly with a state-owned investment fund of Georgia. Advised major Japanese investor in respect of the proposed acquisition of stake in a large hydro power project. Represented the largest bottler and distributor of soft drinks in Georgia in a successful refusal of recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral award in Georgia. Advised major Georgian-American manufacturer of ferroalloys in relation to a dispute with environmental authorities Represented the large Chinese energy company in connection with the real estate privatization deal. Represented joint lead managers in connection with refinancing of 2012 Eurobonds by the national oil company of Georgia. Advised major Italian manufacturer in connection with the municipal procurement in Georgia. Advised the joint bookrunners in connection with the IPO and listing on LSE of one of the Georgia’s leading commercial banks. Represented number of IFIs in USD 250 million financing of one of the largest hydro-power plants in Georgia. Advised Georgian franchisee of the major US franchise in international arbitration against its supplier. Represented a large UK trade organization representing whisky industry in number of IP disputes. Represented one of the largest world’s brewing groups in litigation against its Georgian distributor. Advised a foreign reinsurer on a potential insurance litigation matter. Represented a major multinational manufacturer of medical, pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods in litigation against its Georgian distributor. Represented a major foreign manufacturer of alcoholic beverages in IP litigation in Georgia. Advised British receivers regarding potential litigation against a Georgian bank. Represented joint global coordinators in London IPO of one of the largest commercial banks of Georgia. Advised one of the largest commercial banks in Georgia in respect of a multi-million lawsuit. Represented a large foreign investor in negotiating with the Government of Georgia a privatization deal and associated commercial real estate development project in downtown Tbilisi. Advised a major oil company on multi-million real estate project in Georgia. Advised a major international insurance group on restructuring its Georgian operations. Advised a large ship management group in privatization negotiations with the Government of Georgia. Represented a foreign based business in multi-million recognition and enforcement proceedings in Georgia. Advised major oil company on a large environmental project. Represented joint lead managers on issuance of USD 250 million bonds by Georgian national oil company. Advised large European banks on a USD 45 million loan facility agreement. Represented large Georgian bank in obtaining USD 33 term loan facility from the Dutch financial institution. Represented a large multi-national franchise in negotiations for securing OPIC loan facility. Represented a major oil company in numerous commercial disputes. Represented major American insurance company in an insurance dispute. Represented a large Central European investor in several real estate development projects. Represented a major international tobacco company in various ongoing legal matters, participated in legislative drafting in the Parliament on its behalf. Assisted various foreign embassies in Georgia in various land and real estate-related transactions. Represented a joint lead manager in IPO of a large Georgian company. Conducted a due diligence review of one of the largest state-owned companies of Georgia for privatization purposes. Acted as a counsel of a large US-Government funded project in Georgia. Conducted a due diligence exercise of the largest commercial bank of Georgia on behalf of a large Eastern European bank. Advised and represented several European and Middle East based investors in acquisition of real estate in Georgia and negotiations for development of such real estate. Contributed to the World Bank and International Financial Corporation study of Georgian legal environment. Conducted a large environmental research project for a major multinational oil company. Conducted a due diligence review of the largest mobile operator company of Georgia. Advised and represented a large foreign investor and negotiated with the Government officials in a deal to transfer mineral extraction licenses. Conducted a due diligence review of a Georgian company engaged in copper exploration and extraction activities, for the purposes of M&A. Undertook numerous due diligence studies of Georgian companies for the purposes of privatization, including privatization of the largest gold mining company. Advised a large German financial enterprise on the issues of acquisition of Poti Port. Advised a foreign investor and conducted a due diligence review of one of the largest railway factories in Georgia for the purposes of privatization.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Lasha Gogiberidze, Zaza Bibilashvili

Other key lawyers

Sandro Bibilashvili, Unane Gogokhia, Tamara Tevdoradze, Sopho Natroshvili