The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa. The clients guide to law firms

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1 E: The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa 2018 The clients guide to law firms Velchev & Co. Law Office 3 VITOSHA BLVD, SIXTH FLOOR, 1000 SOFIA, BULGARIA Commercial, corporate and M&A TMT Tel: Fax:

2 E: VELCHEV & CO. LAW OFFICE 3 VITOSHA BLVD, SIXTH FLOOR, 1000 SOFIA, BULGARIA T: F: E: office@vlaw.bg W: The firm Velchev & Co Law Office team provides its 20 years of professional expertise and business know-how in service of many domestic and multinational clients working in areas as diverse as banking, telecommunications and IT, manufacturing, marine transport or gaming. The managing partner Pavel Velchev has often been top-ranked by international legal directories and has a proven track record of successfully supporting clients in achieving their business strategies. By integrating international standards with local experience and knowledge, they focus on providing their clients with projects and transactional legal advice, regulatory counselling and dispute resolution. The lawyers in the firm are talented, motivated individuals who love their work and are committed to clients success. Areas of practice TMT Velchev & Co provides high-profile telecommunications and regulatory legal advice to major domestic and foreign clients. The TMT team consists of experts with outstanding competition and sector-specific regulatory expertise, gained at high-ranked governmental position and within public and private sector organizations. They have been advising on all key regulatory policy changes, compliance issues, as well as on all major legislative amendments in the recent years. Velchev & Co assisted for the thirdround analyses deregulation by the NRA of the non-eu traffic termination as well as the smooth contractual implementation thereafter. Velchev & Co counsels the main Bulgarian telecom company Mobiltel and its parent company Telecom Austria and has took material part in the process of structuring, drafting and compliance assessment and implementation of the first mobile national roaming access agreement in Bulgaria (National Roaming Agreement). Corporate and commercial/ M&A Velchev & Co provides clients with market-leading legal advice on their day-to-day business and on their most significant commercial transactions, including important mergers and acquisitions and ground-breaking projects. During last year the team has dedicated a lot of efforts to the ongoing negotiations of Victoria Bank acquisition by our client Bulgarian American Credit Bank. The possible acquisition includes detailed and systematic legal due-diligence of the assets of Banka Victoria, direct negotiations with the Seller CTBank (in insolvency), acquiring of administrative approval from the governing bodies Bulgarian National Bank and Commission of protection of the Competition. Velchev & Co has contributed for the acquisition and merger of Mobiltel with the biggest cable and internet access provider Blizoo and the multi-million claw back reconciliations thereafter. Velchev&Co fully participated in the acquisition from the

3 SPOKEN Bulgarian, English, French, German, Greek, Russian Bulgarian investment fund SCIF of one of the biggest ports in Bulgaria on the seaside Port Bulgaria West AD. The transaction included full legal due-diligence, drafting the relevant documents and negotiating the transaction, filing and obtaining the regulatory approval from Commission of protection of the Competition. Gaming Velchev & Co is one of the very few law offices in Bulgaria offering specialized legal assistance in the gambling industry. We provide not only legal representation, but also full business networking support in establishing a stable market position and implementing the most effective business strategies. Velchev & Co has been successfully advising the biggest Bulgarian operators of lottery games National Lottery & New Games for a number of years now. Intellectual property Velchev & Co deals with a variety of copyright and design disputes and transactions. We also frequently advise on the acquisition and the exploitation of creative works, designs, computer software, media rights and other publishing rights. Recent activities include border protection measures concerning several famous trademarks incl. GUCCI, Philipp Plein, Moncler, Gant. The total amounts of goods sized exceeds pcs. only for The trademark protection includes starting of opposition proceeding before the Patent Office of Bulgaria on behalf of Novartis AG, Furla S.p.A., Philipp Morris Brands Sarl. and many others. Litigation The litigation team includes lawyers with broad experience in complex corporate litigation, acquired across all industries. The firm has extensive experience in such diverse areas of the law as competition, bankruptcy, general commercial disputes, IP, M&A, tax, administrative and employments. With respect to IP, the firm handles important litigation involving patents, copyright and trademarks in industries pharmaceuticals, high-end fashion and consumer products. In 2017 major efforts was invested on the representation of the biggest telecom operator Mobiltel and its parent company Telekom Austria in a series of high-profile tax cases. Velchev&Co finalized a prolonged case against the Customs Authorities on behalf of one of the major logistic companies in Bulgaria, successfully revoke an administrative penalty in an amount of more than 2 mil. Euro. After prolonged proceedings Velchev&Co successfully defended Bulgarian-American Credit Bank against the unfounded claims from a company seeking to annual credit contracts in more than 3 mil. Euro. The Trademark department of Velchev&Co successfully delivered a positive decision on behalf of Bridgestone Corporation (JAPAN) related to the trademark opposition against a sign similar to the Bridgestone trademark. On behalf of Mr. Philipp Plein the team started court proceeding against one of the infamous local online retailers a central hub for selling of fake goods. The case is the first one in this legal area in Bulgaria and can saw as a test case for the retail sector.

4 E: Commercial, corporate and M&A TIER 3 Velchev & Co. Law Office s team has a proven successful track record in structuring, coordinating, and executing complex transactions and projects. Managing partner Pavel Velchev advised Mobitel on its merger with Blizoo Media. The team also provides ongoing corporate and commercial assistance to New Games and National Lottery. Parvan Rusinov and Alina Ilieva are also recommended. 1 2 Boyanov & Co CMS Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov Kambourov & Partners Wolf Theiss Andrey Delchev and Partners - Eurolex Bulgaria Deloitte Legal Law Firm Dimitrov, Petrov & Co Dinova Rusev & Partners Georgiev, Todorov & Co Schoenherr (in cooperation with Stoyanov & Tsekova) Spasov & Bratanov Tsvetkova Bebov Komarevski 3 4 Atanassov & Ivanov Law Firm CasePro Gugushev & Partners Law Office Hristov & Partners Kinstellar Murgova & Partners Attorneys at Law Penkov, Markov & Partners Tocheva & Mandazhieva Law Office Velchev & Co. Law Office Arsov Natchev Ganeva CHSH Gerginov Aehrenthal Zivny Delchev & Partners Dyulgerova & Penkova Law Firm Kinkin & Partners Kuyumdjieva & Vitliemov Tokushev and Partners Law Office

5 TMT TIER 3 Velchev & Co. Law Office advises Mobitel on spectrum allocation, competition and various data regulations. It also has a niche in gaming work, assisting New Games and the Bulgarian National Lottery with compliance and licensing issues. Pavel Velchev is the main contact Boyanov & Co Dimitrov, Petrov & Co Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov Andrey Delchev and Partners Eurolex Bulgaria CMS Jordanov, Ignatov, Ivanov Law Firm Kambourov & Partners Penkov, Markov & Partners Schoenherr (in cooperation with Stoyanov & Tsekova) Wolf Theiss Arsov Natchev Ganeva Georgiev, Todorov & Co Kinstellar Tocheva & Mandazhieva Law Office Tsvetkova Bebov Komarevski Velchev & Co. Law Office Vladimirov Kiskinov

6 E: MARIYA BAKALOVA Attorney-at-law Mariya Bakalova specializes in cross-border M&A, foreign investments, capital markets, company and commercial law. Before joining Velchev & Co. Mariya has worked in Kostakiev Consult & Partners ( ); Dimitrov, Petrov & Co. (2007); Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov ( ). As a legal expert in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (2010), she has gained extensive experience in the public procurement sector, while advising the Managing Authority of Operational Programme Regional Development. As an associate in CMS Cameron McKenna LLP Bulgaria branch ( ) she has advised on various legal issues related to Bulgarian and European law and some of the largest corporate and commercial transactions in the region. Bulgarian, English, Greek. Sofia bar Association, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, LL.M., 2010; Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bachelor s degree in Public Administration, 2010; Redcliffe Training courses in Advanced Negotiation Issues in M&A; Negotiating Loan Documentation in Leveraged Deals.

7 VELISLAV DRAMOV Attorney at Law Velislav Dramov has more than 13 years of professional experience in the field of commercial and company law, state aids, mergers and acquisitions, domestic and foreign investments, competition law and process. Attorney Dramov was involved in many successful projects within the scope of commercial and administrative law, industrial property rights protection and enforcement procedures. This includes numerous claims for termination of contracts and for seeking responsibility of investment companies; enforcement procedures upon real estate serving as bank loans collaterals; the protection of industrial property rights of leading multinational companies operating in the field of high-quality alcoholic drinks production, fashion industry and others; preparation and active participation in mergers and acquisitions and their protection before administrative and judicial bodies, defense of companies accused of involvement in a cartel or concerted practices. English. German. Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, 1999, Master in Law Course on trade marks, designs and patents at the Patent office of the Republic of Bulgaria 2002; Licensed by the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) as an European Trade Mark and Design Attorney, 2013.

8 E: VENETA FETVADJIEVA Extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, M&A transactions and competition law In the period she was an intern and an attorney-at-law in Boteva & Kantutis Law firm; In the period October May 2010 she completed one-year internship organized by the Sofia District Court together with the Bulgarian American Commission for Educational Exchange Fulbright ; In the period October December 2013 she was an intern in law firm Cayol, Cahen et Associés in Paris, France, during her admission to the International internship for young lawyers organized each year by the Parisian Bar Association; In March 2016 Veneta joined Velchev and Co. Law Office. English, French Sofia Bar Association, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Master s degree in Law; Successfully completed courses: Obtained Certificate of Legal English (Proficiency level) Bulgarian legal association of the International development Law Organization in Rome (IDLO), 2015; Obtained certificate for training in Cross Border Mediation by the Professional Association of Mediators in Bulgaria (PAMB), 2012

9 NADYA HAMBACH WORK DEPARTMENT Entertainment and Gaming Law Department. Head of Entertainment and Gaming Law Department. Nadya is the only specialized gaming lawyer in Bulgaria with more than eleven years of experience in the gaming industry. In 2004 she joins the legal team of Casino Technology, Bulgarian leading and World well recognised gaming equipment manufacturer and in 2008 become the Head of the legal department. She was responsible not only for the local legal compliance issues of the company, but also for the legal coordinator of the company s international projects. In 2008 she was elected as a Member of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Association of the manufacturers and operators in the gaming industry (BTAGI) and held this position until In this capacity she participated actively in the consultation process for adopting the new gaming regulation in Bulgaria and represented the Bulgarian gaming industry in the most prominent international gaming forums as a recognised speaker. From 2009 until May 2012 she was member of the EXCOM and the Legal Committee of EUROMAT (European Gaming and Amusement Federation). In June 2012 she joined Velchev&Co. team as Head of the Entertainment and Gaming department. Fluent in Bulgarian, English, Russian and German. General member of the International Masters of Gaming Law Association(IMGL). The University of London (UCL), LL.M. Degree with specialization in corporate and commercial law. Special focus on IP on the Internet and Competition Law issues, ; University of Sofia, Bulgaria, LL.M., 2004.

10 E: ALINA ILIEVA Attorney at Law Alina Ilieva has 15+ years of specialization and professional experience in corporate and commercial law, financial services regulation, employment law, property and contractual law, public procurement, litigation. At the beginning of 2000 Alina started her career as a Trainee Notary in Sofia. In the period Alina has been a part of leading Bulgarian law firms where she acted as Attorney at law to many local and foreign clients such as Oracle, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius Kabi, Eurosport, etc. In November 2010 she joined SOCIETE GENERALE GROUP consumer finance subsidiary in Bulgaria Credibul AD where she was managing the Legal Department, the Compliance and Permanent Supervision Department and the HR Department. In 2012 after the sale of Credibul AD, Alina moved to the life insurance subsidiary of SOCIETE GENERALE GROUP Sogelife Bulgaria where she has been Head of Legal and Compliance Department and acted as a project manager for the Solvency II regulatory project. In March 2016 Attorney at Law Alina Ilieva joined Velchev and Co. Law Office as an associate attorney. English, German Sofia Bar Association, Centre International de Formation Européenne (Nice/Berlin), the Walter Hallstein Institut of the Humbolt University (Berlin), The Institute of World Economies, Hungarian Academy of Science (Budapest) and Jean Monet Chair of Political Science and European Affairs (University of Cologne)- Master of European Studies, EU Law core subject 1999 University of National and World Economy, Master in Law

11 YANA MARINOVA Property Law, Commercial Law, Commercial Transactions, Employment Law From December 2013 to March 2014 was an intern on the subject of Public procurement and project management in the Municipality of Blagoevgrad. In October 2014 she joined Velchev and Co. Law Office. English Sofia bar Association, Certificate from the University of Cambridge (ILEC), certifying the proficiency of legal English at level C1 on the Common European Framework, British Council Sofia Certificate of proficiency in English level C1 on the Common European Framework, American University in Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad South-West University Neophit Rilski `, Master of Law, graduated as leader of graduates with GPA Participates in interuniversity competition on solving of civil cases and won the third place, April, Burgas Participates in interuniversity competition on solving of civil cases, April, Burgas

12 E: MARIA PEYCHEVSKA Associated member with professional experience and expertise in telecommunications, administrative, contract and commercial law, public procurements. Attorney-at-law Maria Peychevska has 11+ years of specialisation and professional experience in the sphere of regulatory, administrative, commercial, competition law. Mrs. Peychevska started her career in the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency. In 2003 Maria joined the legal team of the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company AD where she worked in the field of telecom regulation and competition, legal aspects of consumer protection, administrative law, as well as practiced commercial law by drafting wholesale and retail contracts for the company s retail and wholesale business. In March, 2012 attorney Peychevska joined Velchev & Co. Law Office team. Her practice is now focused on regulation in electronic communications, postal services, competition law, commercial law, public procurement, protection of consumers etc. English, French. Sofia Bar Association, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, 2002, LLM.

13 DEYAN RANGELOV Attorney Deyan Rangelov professional experience and expertise are in Commercial and Corporate Law, focusing on gambling legislation and public procurements In February, 2012 he started as a trainee solicitor at Velchev & Co. Law Office. After passing the bar exam, he registered at the Sofia Bar Association as an attorney in January, He provides legal representation of clients at Regional and City Courts. His experience includes as well participation in procedures at the Communications Regulation Commission, the Competition Protection Commission and arbitration courts. He is actively involved in public procurement procedures led by the law office. Currently he is part of the Gambling department, where he actively assists national gambling operators and laboratories for gaming equipment. English Sofia Bar Association, 2013 Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, 2011, Master in Law

14 E: PARVAN RUSINOV Administrative and commercial law, telecoms and IT regulatory, e-governance, competition, public procurement and European law, EU financing mechanisms and project management, gaming law. Attorney at Law Parvan Rusinov has 14+ years professional experience. His career started at the Communications Regulation Commission; 5 years at leadership position in BTC`s Regulatory and Competition Directorate. He is the former Deputy Minister of Transport, IT and Communications and as such he was involved in determining and implementing the state policy, including: Legislation on: Electronic Communications, Electronic Document and Electronic Signature, Postal Services, Access to Spatial Data, Road Transport, and more. Representation of the State at the National Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the services of the European Commission. Management of complex strategic e-government and broadband access projects under the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. Large number of advisory services to Council of Ministers (chaired the National Radio Frequency Spectrum Council and the Council for Spatial Data). Co-drafted the current E-Governance Strategy of Bulgaria Bulgarian, English. Sofia Bar Association, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, LL.M, 2002.

15 PAVEL VELCHEV Attorney Pavel Velchev is a founder and managing partner of Velchev & Co. Law Offfice. Attorney-at-law Pavel Velchev has 15+ years of specialisation and professional experience in the sphere of regulatory, external relations, administrative, commercial, competition and corporate law. Mr. Velchev started his career in the State Telecommunications Commission. Later Pavel became part of Lega InterConsult Penkov, Markov & Partners Law Offices where he acted as attorney at law to many foreign investors and local clients such as Vodafonе, C&W, Telenor, Antenna Group etc. In 2004 he was appointed Director of External Relations, Regulatory and Competition Division of Bulgarian Telecommunications Company AD. He formed and managed a team of 25 lawyers, financial and technical experts who were working in the field of telecom regulation and competition. In 2010 he established Velchev & Co. Law Office. In the recent years Mr. Velchev s practice has focused on international M&A, competition law, PPP, commercial law and insolvency procedures. He is advising both state owned and private companies and banks, which are among the leaders in their spheres of business. English, German. Sofia Bar Association since Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski LL.M, 1999; Hay Group High Potentials Leadership Program, 2007; MIT IT for non-it professionals, 2007.