Europe - Greece

Bernitsas Law

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Bernitsas Law is routinely involved in complex, cross-border merger cases before the European Commission and the Hellenic Competition Commission, covering industries ranging from maritime to energy. The practice demonstrates considerable strength in competition litigation claims and has a team of specialists providing advice on all areas of EU law. Based in Athens, ‘outstanding’ practice head Marina Androulakakis is an expert in EU and antitrust law, while Panayotis Bernitsas provides ’invaluable strategic advice’ regarding renewable and conventional energy projects. The ‘very talented’ Tania Patsalia regularly assists clients with antitrust issues arising from their commercial agreements.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'It is a top-tier law firm with an outstanding competition team. They are highly knowledgeable in competition law and provide business-oriented spot on advice, tailored to our company’s needs. They are truly devoted to their clients, always available and business friendly. Bernitsas Law competition team achieved great results which allowed us to move forward with our business goals. They always ensure that we are well informed and involved every step of the way. ’

  • ‘Panayotis Bernitsas is an authority in competition law and one of the most established and well-respected lawyers in the Greek market. He provides invaluable strategic advice, played a key role in our case and is very solutions oriented. Marina Androulakakis is an expert in competition law and a standout partner. She was the heart and soul of the case, always available, responsive, effective and dedicated. She offers excellent legal work. Tania Patsalia, with whom we also work, is a very talented lawyer, provides clear and to the point advice and is highly efficient. She takes her work personally, goes the extra mile and has a great client orientated approach. ’

  • ‘Really kind and polite team. Very good chemistry and communication. Willingness to understand your problem and find a practical solution. Eagerness to understand the technical and commercial perspective of the transactions. Really fast in responding to our requests. ’

  • ‘Marina Androulakakis has a deep understanding of the market and gives each time a really thorough and deep-dive approach, making you feel comfortable as a client.'

  • 'Tania Patsalia has a very practical approach being to the point, being at the same time comprehensive and concise.’

  • ‘High competence, strong proactivity, fast.’

  • ‘Marina Androulakakis is an outstanding professional responsive, flexible, reactive, strong competence.'

Key clients

  • ANEK
  • Attica Group
  • Bristol Myers Squibb
  • BMW Hellas SA
  • CVC
  • Euronet
  • Hellenic Fuels (formerly BP Hellas)
  • Helleniq Energy SA
  • Hellenic Republic
  • Intrakat
  • Motor Oil Hellas
  • Vivartia

Work highlights

  • Advising Attica Group and ANEK on the clearance procedure before the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) in relation to the merger by absorption of ANEK by Attica Group.
  • Advising Intrakat on obtaining merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission for the acquisition of Aktor from ELLAKTOR and AKTOR CONCESSIONS.
  • Advised an international investor on obtaining merger clearance from the Hellenic Competition Commission for its participation in the acquisition of Med Frigo Group.

Lawyers

Rising stars

Tania Patsalia

Tania Patsalia

Bernitsas Law

Partner Tania is specialised in EU, competition and antitrust law, advising on all aspects of antitrust, merger control and State aid rules. She regularly assists clients with antitrust and competition law issues arising from their commercial arrangements and has been involved in high-profile cartel and merger control cases before the Hellenic Competition Commission. Tania provides clients with on-site assistance in dealing with dawn raids, including running workshops and mock exercises. Tania also advises on the application of EU law in Greece and the regulatory requirements applicable to the telecoms, media and technology sectors, regularly liaising with regulators such as the National Telecommunications and Post Commission, the National Council for Radio and Television, the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy. She has extensive experience in advising telecoms operators on licensing requirements, compliance with their annual reporting obligations and telecoms issues relating to the use of new technologies and the launch of new products and services. Tania also has an expertise in advising on all aspects of EU and Greek data privacy rules and she routinely advises clients on the proactive identification, assessment and management of risks associated with their privacy practices. She assists clients in GDPR compliance steps, and advises extensively on how to identify compliance gaps and draft privacy policies, consent forms and data processing agreements. Prior to joining the firm in 2010, she worked as a lawyer with an international law firm as a member of their EU & Competition law team and as a trainee at the DG COMP, Cartels Unit of the European Commission.

Leading individuals

Marina Androulakakis

Marina Androulakakis

Bernitsas Law

Partner Marina is an expert in EU, competition and antitrust law. She joined the Firm in 1997 and advises national and international clients on antitrust, merger control and State aid issues, with substantial experience in cross-border and cross-section transactions, risk and strategy assessment and regulatory compliance. Marina has extensive experience in successfully representing clients across various industries in alleged cartel and abuse of dominance cases before the Hellenic Competition Commission. She also has considerable expertise in merger cases and has effectively coordinated multi-jurisdictional filings and obtained clearance for high-profile M&A transactions from the Hellenic Competition Commission and the European Commission in a wide range of industry specialisations. Marina has an expertise in assessing commercial agreements and policies for their compliance with competition law and also provides on-site assistance and practical guidance in dealing with dawn raids. She advises on the national and EU legislation governing public procurement and has undertaken complaints to the European Commission concerning alleged violations of EU rules. Marina has significant experience in advising clients on emerging and existing data protection requirements, including identifying gaps and areas of potential infringement of data protection laws, designing, drafting, reviewing and updating data protection policies and privacy statements for online activities as well as advising on internal investigation procedures and data breach incidents. Marina represents clients in procedures before the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and actively advises on GDPR compliance. She is also experienced in advising on employment related privacy issues as well as on the application of data privacy rules in the context of electronic communications and the operation of CCTV networks. Marina also supports clients in relation to compliance with international sanctions regimes. Her work includes advising on sanctions monitoring and reporting requirements and the design and implementation of compliance programs, as well as assisting clients to obtain authorization from national authorities and liaising with the regulators. Prior to joining the Firm, Marina worked as a trainee at the Commission of the European Communities Directorate-General IA-External Relations in Brussels. 

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Marina Androulakakis

Other key lawyers

Panayotis Bernitsas, Tania Patsalia