Best Private Equity Lawyers in Attiki

How private equity deals are handled in Attica

Private equity work in Attica commonly involves investing in, acquiring, or selling shares in Greek businesses, including companies based in Athens and Piraeus. A lawyer can help structure the transaction, negotiate investor and shareholder rights, review the target company, and prepare the documents needed to complete the deal.

Greek national law applies in Attica; there is no separate Attica private equity regime. The company’s legal form matters: for example, a société anonyme (S.A.) has different corporate rules from a private company (I.K.E.). Changes to company details and certain corporate decisions may need to be recorded with the General Commercial Registry (GEMI).

Depending on the deal, the work may also involve competition review, financial-services regulation, tax advice, employment matters, or property and permit checks. A lawyer should identify these issues early, since required approvals or missing records can affect the timetable and the deal terms.

When you may need a private equity lawyer

• You are buying shares in an Athens or Piraeus business and need to check its ownership, accounts, contracts, permits, liabilities, and corporate records before signing.
• You are investing as a minority shareholder and need clear voting, information, transfer, anti-dilution, or exit rights in the investment documents.
• You are selling a Greek company or accepting an investor and need to negotiate price adjustments, warranties, indemnities, and conditions to completion.
• Your proposed acquisition may require merger-control review by the Hellenic Competition Commission, or the business operates in a regulated sector.
• You are setting up or managing an alternative investment fund and need advice on the regulatory framework, fund documents, and investor onboarding.
• You are planning an exit, management buyout, or restructuring and need to coordinate shareholder approvals, corporate filings, and transaction documents.

Greek laws that may apply to private equity transactions

Law 4548/2018, Reform of the law on sociétés anonymes. In force from 1 January 2019, this law governs Greek S.A. companies, including their capital, corporate organs, shareholder decisions, and share transfers. It is often central when an investment target or acquisition vehicle is an S.A.

Law 3959/2011 on the protection of free competition. This law governs Greek competition matters, including merger control. Whether an acquisition needs notification depends on the transaction and the statutory tests; a lawyer should assess this before completion.

Law 4209/2013 on alternative investment fund managers. This law transposed the EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive into Greek law. It is relevant to fund managers and fund structures within its scope, but not every direct investment in a company is a regulated fund activity.

Frequently asked questions

What does a private equity lawyer do?

A lawyer advises on the investment or acquisition structure, reviews legal risks, negotiates transaction documents, and coordinates required corporate steps. The exact work depends on whether the client is an investor, seller, fund manager, or company.

Do I need a lawyer to invest in a Greek company?

There is not a general rule requiring every investor to hire a lawyer for every share purchase. Legal advice is useful for checking ownership and liabilities, documenting investor protections, and identifying approvals or filings that may apply.

Can a foreign investor buy shares in an Attica company?

Foreign investors can generally invest in Greek companies, subject to applicable rules and any restrictions or approvals relevant to the sector and transaction. The parties should also address identity checks, source-of-funds requirements, tax issues, and any regulatory conditions.

Is there a minimum investment amount?

There is no single minimum amount that applies to all private investments in Greek companies. Minimums may arise from the company’s legal form, the investment documents, or rules applying to a regulated fund or activity.

What is the difference between investing directly and using a fund?

A direct investment means acquiring an interest in a company yourself or through a holding company. A fund pools or manages investments under its own legal and regulatory arrangements, which can trigger additional obligations for the fund manager.

What legal checks are made before an acquisition?

Due diligence commonly covers the company’s ownership, corporate approvals, contracts, debt, disputes, employees, tax matters, permits, and material property interests. The review is tailored to the target and the proposed investment rather than limited to a standard checklist.

Which approvals or filings might a deal need?

A deal may require company approvals, GEMI filings, or competition clearance, depending on its structure and facts. Regulated businesses and fund-related activities may involve additional requirements, so the parties should check these before setting a completion date.

How long does a private equity transaction take in Attica?

There is no fixed timetable: a straightforward investment may take weeks, while a complex acquisition can take several months. Due diligence, negotiation, financing, corporate approvals, and regulatory review can all affect timing.

How much does a private equity lawyer cost?

Fees depend on the transaction’s value, complexity, timetable, and the lawyer’s agreed scope of work. Ask for a written fee proposal that explains the billing method and identifies likely additional costs, such as VAT, translations, or external specialist advice.

Can an investment proceed if the target is an I.K.E. rather than an S.A.?

Yes, both I.K.E. and S.A. companies can be investment targets, but their corporate rules and documentation differ. A lawyer should review the target’s articles and ownership records before the parties settle the investment structure.

Where can I check a Greek company’s official registration details?

Company registration information and filed corporate documents may be available through GEMI, subject to the information and access rules that apply. A registry search is useful, but it does not replace legal and financial due diligence.

Official resources in Attica

• General Commercial Registry (GEMI): Maintains Greek business registration records and receives filings for companies, including corporate changes where filing is required.
• Hellenic Capital Market Commission: Supervises relevant capital-market activities and regulated entities, including matters involving alternative investment fund managers within its remit.
• Hellenic Competition Commission: Applies Greek competition law and handles merger-control matters when a transaction falls within the applicable notification rules.

Steps to find and hire a private equity lawyer

1. Define the transaction. Write down whether the matter involves a direct investment, company sale, fund, management buyout, or exit. Allow a few days to gather the basic facts and identify the parties.
2. Prepare a short brief. Collect the target’s legal name, company form, ownership information, proposed investment amount, intended timetable, and any draft term sheet or offer.
3. Shortlist lawyers with relevant deal experience. Look for counsel who handles Greek corporate investments and the transaction type involved, including any fund, competition, or regulated-sector issues.
4. Check conflicts and availability. Ask prospective lawyers to confirm they can act and have no conflict, and whether they can meet the proposed timetable. This can often be checked during an initial enquiry.
5. Compare written proposals. Request the proposed scope, responsible team, fee basis, estimated disbursements, and exclusions. Compare like-for-like services before appointing counsel.
6. Agree the engagement and share documents securely. Confirm the work, fees, reporting arrangements, and who will coordinate tax, accounting, or regulatory advice before substantive review begins.
7. Set a transaction plan. Ask counsel to map due diligence, negotiation, approvals, filings, and completion conditions. Review the plan regularly, since missing information or regulatory steps can change the timetable.