Corporate, Commercial and M&A

Corporate and Commercial

We are often called upon to advise on the most suitable corporate vehicle and assist our clients in the formation of companies and branches of foreign businesses, as well as in all aspects of their everyday operation, including corporate governance and industrial property issues. Furthermore, we advise on the legal and regulatory framework affecting contractual relationships and draft, review, assist in the negotiation of, and represent our clients in disputes arising out of all types of commercial agreements, including agency, distribution and franchising contracts, shareholders agreements and joint ventures.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Our attorneys are experienced in acting on behalf of clients in respect of corporate restructurings of all types and advise on all aspects of a transaction, from the structuring of a deal, its negotiation and documentation (including offers to purchase, memoranda of understanding and sale and purchase contracts), to the consummation thereof. Our experience spans across mergers & acquisitions on both the buy and sell side, internal restructurings of companies and groups, conversions of legal form, transfers of stock and assets or entire business spin-offs and demergers. In this context, we regularly carry out legal due diligence reviews, a vital component of our Mergers & Acquisitions practice, which focuses on highlighting and addressing areas of legal risk.

• Work Highlights in the area of Corporate, Commercial and M&A

  Our recent work in the area of Corporate, Commercial and M&A includes the following:

  Acquisition of a majority stake in a renewable energy company
  We acted on behalf of the Greek subsidiary of a major player in the global renewable energy market in the acquisition of a majority stake in a Greek company owning a large portfolio of photovoltaic projects located around the country. Our work for the matter included, inter alia, an extensive legal due diligence review of the target company, the preparation of a due diligence report as well as the drafting and negotiation of the transaction documentation, including a share purchase agreement and a shareholders’ agreement.

  Set up of a local branch
  Kommatas & Associates advised a foreign airline planning to start running routes to and from Greece on the set up of a local branch.

  Legal Due Diligence Review of three solar companies
  Our firm carried out a due diligence review for the potential acquisition of three companies owning a portfolio of solar projects in the Prefectures of Florina, Larissa and Korinthos.

  Acquisition by a listed company
  We advised a local furniture company on its acquisition by a listed company. Our work involved structuring the transaction as an exchange of shares and negotiating the relevant contractual documentation, including the employment contracts of the target firm’s shareholders with the acquiring firm.

  Distribution Agreement and related litigation
  Our firm assisted a local electronics trading company in the conclusion of a distribution agreement with a multinational supplier. In this context we negotiated and drafted the distribution agreement and subsequently defended our client in claims brought against him by the previous distributor on account of unfair solicitation of personnel.

  Court appointment of a temporary BoD
  We acted on behalf of the 50% owner of the shares in a Greek industrial company in his dispute with the owner of the other 50%. Our work for the matter involved, inter alia, the successful appointment by the courts of first instance of a temporary Board of Directors proposed by our client.

  Set up of a franchise system
  Kommatas & Associates advised a foreign trading company on its expansion in the Greek market through the set up of a new franchise system. In this context we negotiated and drafted the Franchise Agreement and other documentation required to establish the system.

  Insurance claim negotiations
  We advised a large local manufacturer in its negotiations with an insurance company in relation to the payment of its insurance claim arising as a result of the destruction of its factory. Our work involved parallel negotiations with a number of credit institutions with a security interest in the factory claiming payment of part of the insurance proceeds of the destroyed collateral.

  Trademark violation
  Our firm defended a large telecommunications company in a trademark violation claim filed against it before the courts of first instance by a local electronics company.