Work Highlights
Advised NBG on a €191 million project financing for the construction of a 266MW portfolio of photovoltaic projects
We advised NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE (NBG) on a €191 million project financing for the construction of a 266MW portfolio of photovoltaic projects, sponsored by Metlen Energy & Metals. The project will be co-financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) scheme. The transaction was led by Euripides Ioannou, Partner and Nikolaos Kampantais, Senior Associate who were supported by Associates Erato Zeliou, Giannis Malikoutis and Chara Zoulinou-Zoulinakou.
Another significant success for PV’s criminal litigation team!
After an 8-year investigation by OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office), two scientists have been acquitted of fraud charges related to EU-funded projects worth €8.5 million. The projects focused on innovative nanotechnology solutions for “green” industrial applications.
The public prosecutor dismissed the case, concluding that all projects were successfully executed, delivered and approved by EU evaluators, with some already patented. No financial damage to the EU was found.
Our team was led by Konstantinos Papadiamantis, Partner and Head of our Litigation & Arbitration practice, with the assistance of Natalie Chrisagi (Senior Associate).
POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as legal counsel to Zeus+Dione on a unique transaction that sets a new precedent in the Greek fashion industry.
We are delighted to announce that POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as legal counsel to Zeus+Dione on a unique transaction that sets a new precedent in the Greek fashion industry.
Growth Private Equity Fund, managed by Halcyon Equity Partners S.C.A. SICAR, has made its first strategic investment in the renowned Greek luxury lifestyle brand Zeus+Dione. This collaboration not only underscores the brand’s tremendous growth potential but also highlights the increasing interest in the Greek luxury lifestyle market.
This landmark deal was led by our partners Maria Perifanou and Anthea Terlegas, with the support of associates Christos Charatsis and Katerina Gerari.
A special thanks and congratulations to Julia Bernard, whom successfully held the reins for Zeus+Dione, as well as the Lambadarios Law Firm for their exceptional collaboration and contribution to the achievement of this milestone.
We acted for Matex Holdings Ltd on the sale of its company, NAIAS Scientific Analytical Laboratories S.A.
We are happy to announce that we acted for Matex Holdings Ltd on the sale of its company, NAIAS Scientific Analytical Laboratories S.A., to Maritec Pte. Ltd.
Registered in Piraeus, NAIAS is a leader in providing state-of-the-art, accredited quality testing and quantity inspection service to the maritime and industrial sectors for over 30 years. Specializing in water, fuel, oil, and environmental testing, NAIAS combines advanced technological capabilities with scientific knowhow, ensuring compliance with international standards. The company is now owned by Maritec Pte. Ltd., a globally recognized provider of fuel testing, condition monitoring, and environmental testing services headquartered in Singapore. Maritec’s acquisition of NAIAS enhances its capabilities and expands its footprint in the maritime and industrial sectors.
This cross-border transaction, which followed over a year of negotiations, was led by partner Alexander Metallinos, with the support of associate Alkmini Basakarou, while Reed Smith LLP acted for the purchaser.
PotamitisVekris supported Eurobank in every step of the way to the complex acquisition process of Hellenic Bank
We proudly announce that we acted for Eurobank S.A. together with Milbank LLP and Ioannides Demetriou LLC for the conclusion of (a) share purchase agreements with four employee welfare and health funds pursuant to which, Eurobank has agreed to acquire 12,848% holding in Hellenic Bank and (b) share purchase agreements with Demetra Holdings Plc and Logicom Services Limited pursuant to which, Eurobank has agreed to acquire a 24.66% holding in Hellenic Bank. Following completion of the transactions Eurobank will increase its holding in Hellenic Bank to 93.47% and Eurobank will proceed with a tender offer for the remaining shares to be followed by a squeeze out. These transactions lead to the conclusion of a complex acquisition process that took place in various steps. POTAMITISVEKRIS supported Eurobank in every step of the way to the successful outcome.
POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as legal advisor to Attica Bank S.A. in its successful share capital increase, raising approximately €672.2 million
We are thrilled to announce that POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as legal advisor to Attica Bank S.A. in its successful share capital increase, raising approximately €672.2 million through the issuance of 359,469,360 new ordinary registered shares, and in the issuance of the same number of warrants. This share capital increase, completed in November 2024, was designed to enhance the bank’s capital position and growth.
In advance of the share capital increase and warrant issuance, our team also acted as legal advisor to Attica Bank in its strategic merger by absorption of Pancreta Bank S.A., a milestone transaction completed in September 2024. Together, these significant capital initiatives, which took place in accordance with the provisions of the agreement concluded in July 2024 between the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund and Thrivest Holding Ltd, as ratified by Law 5127/2024, represent an important step toward establishing Attica Bank as the “fifth pillar” in the Greek banking sector.
This highly complex and challenging project was led by Partner George Bersis, with support from Senior Associate Elena Theocharakou and Associate Elisabetta Lentsiou. Partner Dimitris Loukas, assisted by Senior Associate Kostas Manikas and Associate Alexandros Ntallas, advised on competition law matters, notably on the merger control filing before the HCC, while the tax aspects were expertly handled by Partner Aspasia Malliou, with the assistance of Senior Associate Grigoris Katsoras.
Hogan Lovells acted as international counsel for Attica Bank S.A., led by Partners Madeleine Horrocks and Annalisa Dentoni-Litta, together with Senior Associate Franco Lambiase and Junior Associate Noemi Biagini.
We extend our warm congratulations to the exceptional team at Attica Bank S.A. on reaching this landmark achievement and express our gratitude for their trust and collaboration. We are honored to have been part of this transformative journey and look forward to supporting Attica Bank in future successes.
Success of our Litigation team
Our Criminal Litigation team succeeded in releasing a 53ft Mega Yacht allegedly involved in the Hydra forest fire incident. Our team managed to prove to the authorities that the ship owning company and the yacht had nothing to do with a negligent behavior of a crew member, thus securing the release.
Pro bono legal representation to eight minors who were victims of abuse, coercion, and endangerment
As part of our firm’s commitment to ESG principles, the POTAMITISVEKRIS criminal law team provided pro bono legal representation before the First-Instance Criminal Court of Athens to eight minors who were victims of abuse, duress and endangerment. These minors were former residents of the renowned child protection foundation “Ark of the World” (“Kivotos”).
On November 14, 2024, after an extensive judicial process, five individuals—including the foundation’s prominent founder—were convicted on multiple charges. This outcome marks a pivotal judgment in the realm of child protection and the oversight of institutions tasked with caring for vulnerable minors.
Our team included Konstantinos Papadiamantis (Partner), Natalia Chrisagi (Senior Associate), Andreas Matsakas (Associate), and Evgenia Kordou (Associate).
This decision underscores the importance of safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring accountability within institutions designed to provide care and protection.
POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as lender’s legal advisor to NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE S.A. (NBG) on a landmark project in relation to a wind park portfolio exceeding 400MW
POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as lender’s legal advisor to NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE S.A. (NBG) on a landmark project financing spanning over the past two years in relation to a wind park portfolio exceeding 400MW sponsored by Aer Soléir (a subsidiary of US multinationals Quantum Capital Group and 547 Energy). With a total investment cost expected to reach €1 billion, the project will be co-financed by funds from the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) and is expected to be fully operational by 2026. The clean electricity that will be produced by the project is sufficient to supply 200,000 households annually.
Our dedicated project finance team, led by partners Euripides Ioannou and Anthea Terlegas and supported by senior associates Nikolaos Kampantais and Sophia Thanou, advised NBG on all aspects of this complex transaction, which included the design and implementation of an innovative contractual mechanism addressing the uncertain timing of the deployment of RRF funds and the subsequent incorporation into the transaction structure of power purchase agreements concluded with Amazon as offtaker.
The significance of the collaboration of Aer Soléir, NBG and Amazon on this emblematic investment, which in the long term is expected to create substantial economic benefits for Greece, was emphasised during Amazon’s “AWS Day powered by Logicom” conference, held in Athens, on Tuesday 19 November, at the “Hellenic World” Cultural Center, in the presence of the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodore Skylakakis
POTAMITISVEKRIS is honoured to have contributed to the accomplishment of this major achievement and warmly congratulates all parties involved in this process.