Founded by Perparim Kalo in 1994 KALO & ASSOCIATES has been in the forefront of legal services in Albania and Kosovo in representing prominent business organizations and IFIs, including many Fortune 500.
The Firm enjoys international reputation and is “best friend” to many international law firms and IFI-s, development agencies and embassies.
The firm has significant contribution in drafting modern commercial legislation such as banking, commercial arbitration, concessions, renewable energy, gambling, insolvency, secured transactions, financial leasing, insurance, corporate and municipal bonds, pension funds and the collective investment funds law.
It is a founding member of the South East Legal Group, the largest legal services provider in the Balkans, established in 2003 (www.seelegal.org).
The firm has contributed in modernizing the practice in Albania, by adopting the structured practice areas, professional liability insurance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Pro Bono services, anti-corrupt’ practices, art support, etc. which together give a law firm an undisputed reputation.
The firm earned reputation is related with the reputation of its founder, Perparim Kalo, who was representative of IBA for Albania since 1992 and invited as speaker to many international business and legal forums in 4 continents.
In 2006 Mr. Kalo was voted by the Parliament as one of 5 members of the Albanian Securities Commission. In 2007, the Albanian Bar Association conferred upon Mr. Kalo the award “For special contribution in the development and improvement of commercial practice in Albania”. For many years has been an active director of boards of major business organizations, including Vice-President of the Foreign Investors Association of Albania and finally, by the Decree of the Queen Margrethe II as of 19 September 2017 Mr. Kalo is appointed Honorary Consul for Denmark to the Republic of Albania.
The corporate team is the engine of the firm, frequently being involved in all key prominent deals in the country working in perfect synergy with all other departments to produce excellent outcomes.
The firm has particular expertise in the field of M & A and in providing excellent legal advice in the creation of complex business structures. Past activities have included the targeted acquisitions of key companies serving within sectors such as banking, media, retail, IT and beverages (clients have included Delta Maxi d.o.o,Société Générale).This department also covers merger control and other competition law matters.Cross border merger clients have included Porsche – Volkswagen, Mars – Wrigley, HP – Compaq.
The firm has assisted in the formation of numerous companies, all of different forms, including branches, subsidiaries, representative offices of foreign companies and simple partnerships (e.g. McCann Erickson, Microsoft).
The firm handles many complex commercial litigation cases in areas of banking, telecommunications, intellectual property, property, tax, employment, construction, transport, etc. and has a high success rate. The litigators of the firm are increasingly engaged in arbitration hearings in Albania and overseas
The team boasts a superlative team of lawyers dedicated to enforcement procedures and foreclosures producing successful results for several banks that the firm represents and have successfully enforced foreign judgments and arbitral awards within Albanian jurisdiction, too.
The firm is active in the development of new legislation on commercial arbitration, on foreclosures of mortgages, and institutional strengthening projects, such as the private arbitration centre in Albania and also training for future arbitrators.
Employment team provides advice on sophisticated aspects of employment and compliance with Albanian Labor law.
It also advises on employment benefits, including social security, pension and share options, health insurance etc. Special advice is provided also in the areas of secondment, immigration, restructuring and negotiation (and termination) of collective agreements and settlement of agreements with executive staff.
The firm has a strong IP service representing trade names and patents owned by Albanian, European, American and Asian proprietors. The IP team assists in securing and the commercialization of IP rights, brand protection and enforcing IP rights.Industrial and Intellectual Property rights have been proven to be an essential precondition of economic success and key to consumer good will and a respected reputation of products/services. The team has forged excellent links with the General Directorate of Patents and Trademarks.
The firm is also involved in telecoms-related matters and acts as counsel for a world leader in the field of mobile communication and also advises other leading companies in the field of telecommunication supplies. Clients we have worked with include ORBCOMM, Vodafone Albania, and Microsoft to name a few.
Activity in the real estate sector is growing especially due to increasing commercial interest in retail and tourism.
The firm’s expertise in the area of construction and infrastructure helps parties to large-scale projects feel secure on both property rights matters, but also on regulatory, including licenses and permits.
