The FINANCIAL — Chambers and Partners and its rankings have featured in many notable publications around the world. It covers over 190 countries across the world and also includes Region-wide and Global-wide sections.
It ranks both lawyers and law firms based on the research of more than 170 full-time editors and researchers.
Chambers Global is published annually. Accordingly we are providing the updated rankings of the new edition of ranked firms and lawyers in General Business Law – Georgia.
RANKED FIRMS
Band 1
• BGI Legal
• BLC Law Office
• Dentons Georgia
Band 2
• Business Legal Bureau
• Dechert LLP
• Gvinadze & Partners LLC
• Mgaloblishvili Kipiani Dzidziguri (MKD)
Band 3
• Nodia, Urumashvili and Partners Ltd
Band 4
• Law Firm Begiashvili & Co. Ltd
• Eristavi & Partners
Band 1
BGI Legal
Lasha Gogiberidze maintains an excellent reputation for his expertise in capital markets and project fi-nance, handling some of the market’s most prominent lending transactions. Clients highlight him as an “open-minded” practitioner who “always comes up with a good solution” and provides advice which is “straight to the point and concise.”
Zaza Bibilashvili has experience of handling some of the biggest mandates in the market, most recently advising on substantial real estate projects. He is also a noted practitioner in the dispute resolution arena.
Legal director Unana Gogokhia focuses on financial transactions, and stands out for her experience of capi-tal markets and derivatives. Clients appreciate her ability to “look at the issue very scrupulously and bring up points in the transaction that none of the other parties spotted.”
Sandro Bibilashvili is increasingly recognised in the market. He is involved in some of the firm’s biggest project finance mandates and has recently been active working on energy projects.
Counsel Tamara Tevdoradze enters the rankings on the back of positive praise. “She is very reliable, accu-rate and punctual, thinks in a very logical way and has very strong arguments,” a client says. Her broad practice includes real estate, tax and employment.
Band 1
BLC Law Office
Eminent practitioner Alexander Bolkvadze enjoys a good reputation for his long track record in some of the market’s biggest projects. His vast experience includes commercial, energy and real estate. Clients describe him as “pleasant, fast and always available.”
Ketti Kvartskhava climbs to the top tier of the rankings due to her superb reputation for advising on market-leading transactions. Clients describe her as “one of the best lawyers, of very high standards,” and add that she is “very sharp, extremely intelligent and focused.” Her broad practice includes M&A and financial transactions. She also stands out for her expertise in competition and is a well-respected litigator.
Clients say senior associate Tamta Ivanishvili is “very intelligent, monstrously detail-oriented and has an extraordinary appetite for hard work.” She receives strong feedback from all quarters and focuses on mandates covering corporate, financial, capital markets and M&A.
Giorgi Batlidze is recommended for his expertise in energy-related projects, with a client high-lighting his organisational skills and noting that “his experience in energy comes though.” He also handles IP, tax and financial matters, as well as M&A.
Band 1
Dentons Georgia
Eminent practitioner Ted Jonas is a US-qualified practitioner with a long-standing presence in the Georgian market. He is involved in a range of mandates and is particularly noted for his vast experience in advising foreign investors on financial transactions and capital markets expertise.
Legal director Nino Suknidze has a strong reputation for her expertise in capital markets and reg-ularly advises on major transactions in the finance sector. Peers and clients alike praise her “posi-tive and co-operative” approach and say she can “listen very diligently and adapt, so that she can see both sides of the argument.”
According to clients, Avto Svanidze “stands out for his legal mindset and good knowledge of cor-porate law.” He enjoys a good reputation and is active in a number of high-end mandates, often advising on M&A, corporate, finance and contractual issues. He is dual-qualified in Georgia and the UK.
Managing partner Otar Kipshidze handles energy, corporate and banking and finance matters. He has particular experience in advising on major infrastructure projects. He also heads the firm’s litigation practice.
Band 2
Business Legal Bureau
Managing partner Kakha Sharabidze is noted for his experience in cross-border work across a range of areas, including acquisitions, finance, corporate and real estate. “His knowledge of the law and experience really struck me,” a client reports.
Senior associate Mariam Vashakidze is active on a wide range of general business matters. She is described as a “very thorough and very knowledgeable” lawyer who is also a good communicator.
Band 2
Dechert LLP
Nicola Mariani is an international lawyer who is admitted to the Bar in Paris, Québec and New York. He is particularly recommended for his M&A experience and also handles corporate mat-ters. Sources appreciate that he brings in “lots of experience, creativity, a very international look at the business and an excellent business network.”
Archil Giorgadze is noted by market commentators for his visibility on M&A deals. He also advis-es on a range of other issues, including corporate, commercial and project finance.
Band 2
Gvinadze & Partners LLC
Managing partner Nick Gvinadze is appreciated for his ability to “clearly explain potential issues and come up with practical solutions.” He maintains a broad general business law practice and regularly advises on projects in the energy and financial sectors.
Band 2
Mgaloblishvili Kipiani Dzidziguri (MKD)
Victor Kipiani is a very well-established name in the Georgian market and focuses on project fi-nance, capital markets and banking and finance work. Clients describe him as a “skilled lawyer and a truly reliable man” who is “highly resistant to stress” and provides “quick and detailed an-swers.”
Irakli Mgaloblishvili is a noted practitioner who has practical experience of advising clients on project finance and privatisation mandates. He is also skilled in dispute resolution.
Band 3
Nodia, Urumashvili and Partners Ltd
Efrem Urumashvili comes particularly recommended for his “precise knowledge of tax law,” “very flexible” approach and the ability to come up with solutions. He is also active on tax disputes.
Band 4
Law Firm Begiashvili & Co. Ltd
Giorgi Begiashvili is an established figure in the market with a good reputation, advising on a host of business law matters. Market commentators recognise him for his banking M&A work and strong track record in commercial matters.
Band 4
Eristavi & Partners
Revaz Beridze is complimented as a “very responsible” lawyer and is renowned for his expertise in specialist areas such as maritime law. He also handles public procurement, commercial and transport matters.