Optima Legal & Financial

CORPORATE/MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Our team provides a full range of corporate legal services including advising in restructuring, mergers and acquisitions processes through general secretarial services. Optima has an extensive experience in advising both national and international companies and groups in different stages of transactions such as bid preparation and submission to negotiate, sign-off and closing. We advise on the full range of deal structures from public takeovers/tenders offers to divestments, auctions, take-privates and demerges. Our team works closely across our network to provide clients with an unrivalled, seamless service. 

EMPLOYMENT, WORK AND LABOUR

Disputes in the workplace can become difficult and unpleasant.
Our team understands that employment law matters need to be handled with determination and discretion. Our employment team has a proven track record in the provision of advice and representation on a wide range of complex legal issues, from negotiating the terms of executive employment contracts and the delivery of strategic legal assistance throughout the course of employment, to protecting and enforcing employee bonus schemes and discretionary entitlements, and resolving unfair and improper dismissals.

INSURANCE

Optima’s insurance practice group has also developed a diverse insurance practice that includes experience in litigation, regulatory and transactional matters across Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. Optima has advised clients on the formation of insurance relationships and policy documents, as well as litigation of the rights and responsibilities of parties in those relationships. We have also been involved in the formation of insurance holding companies, mergers & acquisitions of insurance companies, and corporate finance & capital markets transactions. More specifically, Optima’s Insurance Practice Group represents insurers and reinsurers, agents and brokers, managing general agents and underwriters, commercial banks, thrifts and investment banks, investors and trade associations. 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our IP team is highly experienced in offering a wide range of services
in the area of branding and trademarking.
Our IP department has operated for various national and international companies offering:
Patent: Patent search, Identification of patentable subject matter, Preparation, filing and prosecuting provisional and non-provisional applications, Design and utility patent matters, Patent maintenance fees, Purchase, sale and assignment services, Due diligence investigations (for patent transactions) and more

Trademark: Trademark selection counselling, International and local application and registration, counselling on Trademark’s best practices, purchase, sale and assignment services, due diligence investigations (for trademark transactions), advising for corporate identity programs.

Litigation: Preliminary injunction hearings, Appeals, Litigation (discovery, motions, settlement negotiations), Alternative Dispute Resolution, Opposition proceedings (trademark registration disputes), Cancellation proceedings (trademark registration disputes), International Trade Commission (importation) 

LITIGATION & ARBITRATION

Our Litigation and Arbitration department is composed of highly qualified and experienced attorneys, who based on their rich experience, offer high quality representation of clients in front of Albanian courts of law in all levels and domestic arbitration. Our team has acted as counsels or has teamed up with reputed international law firms in supportive roles regarding international commercial arbitration cases, assisting and advising clients in negotiation and mediation processes so as to avoid costly and lengthy adjudication proceedings. Our Partners act as Arbitrators and representatives of Albania before the ICC Court since 2014.

TOURISM, PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE

Particularly in tourism industry we have been involved in several projects with different local and international tour operators in advising legal and financial provisions in force. Engaged by our clients, we have prepared and reviewed investment agreements, service agreements, exclusivity representation, business plans, preliminary tourism market and main regulations in Albania. Our Property & Real Estate team is fully trained and equipped to
handle all types of commercial, residential property and planning work. Our past and present experience includes the representation of clients in connection with all facets of the acquisition, disposition, financing, development, leasing, and operation of all types of real property. Our Real Estate Practice Group routinely advises clients about land use, zoning, platting, authorization and other related matters, and has extensive experience in handling inter-state and international transactions. Given the present situation of the real estate market in Albania, this area of practice has become a cornerstone of our legal services since Optima was founded.