What Karatzas & Partners does

Karatzas & Partners is a full-service commercial and financial law firm established in 1963 and headquartered in Athens, Greece, with a secondary operating presence spanning Cyprus, the UK, and the USA. The firm operates as a private partnership led by Managing Partner Catherine Karatzas and employs approximately 100 professionals including partners, senior counsel, senior associates, associates, trainee lawyers, and managers. Its practice spans banking and finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, competition/antitrust, energy, project finance, real estate, privatization, telecommunications/media/technology, corporate/commercial law, litigation, employment, tax, data protection/privacy/cybersecurity, and intellectual property.

The firm serves a blue-chip client roster anchored by Greece's four systemic banks (National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank), major energy companies (PPC, Metlen, HELLENiQ ENERGY), leading real estate developers (Lamda Development, PRODEA Investments), and international investors (BC Partners, Goldman Sachs, Bain Capital, J.P. Morgan). It has advised on some of the largest transactions in Greek corporate history, including a €4.25 billion PPC share capital increase, a €2.7 billion Intralot/Bally's acquisition, a €1.1 billion Athens International Airport financing, and renewable energy projects totaling over 3,500 MW of capacity. The firm maintains a digital knowledge platform (K&P Knowledge Portal) launched in April 2024, along with contributions to Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR, and Lexology guides.

Karatzas & Partners generates revenue through customized, multi-year professional services engagements billed on a quoted-fee basis tied to transaction complexity, matter scope, and team composition. It pursues an enterprise field-sales motion, delivered directly from its Athens office through partner-led client relationships, with no intermediaries. The firm is consistently ranked in the top tier by all major legal directories (Chambers, Legal 500 EMEA, IFLR1000, GCR 100) and has a strong diversity profile with 63% women partners and 0% gender pay gap.

Name

Karatzas & Partners

Legal name

Karatzas & Partners

Website

https://karatza-partners.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Karatzas & Partners is a Greek commercial and financial law firm founded in 1963, advising systemic banks, large Greek enterprises, and international investors on banking, M&A, capital markets, energy, and competition matters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Law Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Strategic Partnerships, Alliances & JVs Advisory (BPAHADAI)

Keywords

• Commercial legal services
• Banking and finance law
• Capital markets advisory
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Energy and project finance

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Advisory Services: Professional legal services billed to corporate clients for banking, finance, M&A, capital markets, energy, competition, real estate, and litigation matters

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Karatzas & Partners is a full-service commercial and financial law firm that provides legal advisory services across the entire spectrum of commercial and financial law, including banking and finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, competition/anti-trust, energy, project finance, real estate, privatisations, telecommunications/media/technology, corporate and commercial, litigation, employment, tax, data protection/privacy/cybersecurity, and intellectual property. The firm represents Greek banks, multinational corporations, international investors, and government entities in landmark domestic and cross-border transactions.

Product overview

Karatzas & Partners is a full-service commercial and financial law firm established in 1963, offering a comprehensive suite of legal services across the entire spectrum of commercial and financial law. The firm operates through distinct practice area modules covering Banking and Finance Law, Capital Markets Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Competition Law, Energy Law, Project Finance Law, Real Estate Law, Privatisation, Telecommunications/Media/Technology Law, Corporate and Commercial Law, Litigation, Employment Law, Tax Law, Data Protection/Privacy/Cybersecurity, and Intellectual Property. The K&P Knowledge Portal serves as the firm's digital knowledge platform providing access to publications and legal insights. The firm serves both Greek and international clients and is recognized as a top-tier law firm in Greece.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Banking and Finance Law Services
• Capital Markets Law Services Advisory on every aspect of capital markets law, including rights offerings, takeover bids, day-to-day compliance issues, and prospectus drafting for equity and debt issuances. Advised on €500M AIA Senior Unsecured Notes, €350M Lamda Development bond loan, and PRODEA Investments voluntary public offer.
• Mergers and Acquisitions Services Full-service M&A support including structuring, transfer of assets and shares, due diligence, financing, regulatory issues, filings with authorities, and negotiation of transaction documents. Advised on €2.7bn Intralot acquisition of Bally's International Interactive Business and €4.25bn PPC share capital increase.
• Competition Law Services Advisory on merger control, vertical restraints, abuse of dominant position, concerted practices, and representation before the Hellenic Competition Commission and competent courts. Recognized in GCR 100 rankings (Recommended 2023, 2025; Highly Recommended 2026).
• Energy Law Services Specialised in energy-related projects and financing of renewable energy projects, with experience in transactions totalling over 3,500 MW of renewable energy capacity. Advises clients including PPC, Metlen Energy & Metals, HELLENiQ ENERGY, and RWE.
• Project Finance Law Services Advisory on infrastructure and project financing transactions, identifying legal risks particular to Greece, and focusing on areas of risk not immediately apparent to non-Greek financial actors.
• Real Estate Law Services Comprehensive real estate advisory including conveyancing, leases, development, specialised commercial utilisation, leasing of malls, sale and lease-back arrangements, and public-private real estate development. Advises Lamda Development on Ellinikon and PRODEA Investments.
• Privatisation Services Advisory on privatisation transactions either for the State or for bidders-concessionaires, including some of the largest privatisations concluded in Greece.
• Telecommunications, Media & Technology Law Services Advisory on telecommunications matters including regulatory representation before the telecoms regulator, anti-trust issues, and litigation between operators.
• Corporate and Commercial Law Services Advisory on general corporate and commercial law matters, including day-to-day advice, extraordinary issues, and secondment of lawyers to undertakings active in various industries.
• Litigation Services Comprehensive litigation services ranging from complex enforcement issues to international arbitration, combining extensive litigation experience with advisory expertise.
• Employment Law Services Advisory on employment law matters from execution or termination of employment agreements to downsizing and voluntary separation plans, including EU and national legislation on transfer of undertakings.
• Tax Law Services Advisory on direct and indirect taxation matters for corporate clients, both on a standalone basis and integrated within corporate and financial transactions including securities offerings and financings.
• Data Protection/Privacy/Cybersecurity Services Advisory on all aspects of data protection and privacy law including GDPR compliance, data protection policies, security measures for personal data, and data protection issues in employment relationships and due diligence.
• Intellectual Property Services Advisory on intellectual property including copyright, trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, IP license agreements, and representation before courts and competent authorities.
• K&P Knowledge Portal A comprehensive online knowledge resource providing legal insights, publications, and analysis across the firm's practice areas including banking, finance, capital markets, competition law, and data protection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Led in €4.25 billion PPC share capital increase - largest share capital increase in Greek market
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• doValue GreececoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerdoValue Greece was assigned to manage the 'Etalia A' NPL portfolio following its sale by National Bank of Greece to a Bain Capital-managed entity. K&P provided legal counsel on Greek law matters for this transaction.
• Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK&P joined the 'Cyclone Project' in collaboration with the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation. The firm also offers pro bono legal advice to the foundation.
• Diotima CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK&P supports Diotima Centre, a non-profit organization providing services to support and empower women, contributing to the organization's program of legal aid for low-income women survivors of gender-based violence. Firm has supported for 5 consecutive years.
• ELSA Athens and ELSA GreeceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerK&P actively supports ELSA (European Law Students' Association) through sponsorship of moot court competitions, summer schools, job fairs, and the 'Lawyers at Work' initiative hosting law students.
• Athens Law SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerK&P supports the Athens Law School International Roman Law Moot Court Team and FDI Moot Team, contributing to the development of future legal professionals.
• Nomiki BibliothikicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK&P actively participates in and sponsors conferences organized by Nomiki Bibliothiki including National Conference of Corporate In-House Counsel, Energy Law conferences, Employment Relations conferences, Competition Law conferences, and Women in Law conferences.
• The Orbit BuildingminorOthersK&P is located at The Orbit building and collaborates with building neighbors for charity events including Christmas bazaars and blood donation drives.
• Make-A-Wish GreeceminorOthersK&P hosts Easter Bazaar events for Make-A-Wish Greece, supporting their mission to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses.
• Choose LifeminorOthersK&P supports Choose Life association, a non-profit that fights leukemia and blood-related illnesses by raising awareness and increasing bone marrow registry through virtual runs and events.
• Alma ZoisminorOthersK&P supports the Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer 'Alma Zois' through participation in Race for the Cure events for multiple consecutive years.
• Hellenic Public Properties S.A.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerK&P advised Hellenic Public Properties S.A. in the sale of its 25% stake in Marina Zeas S.A. to the majority shareholder, D Marinas Hellas.
• Delphi Economic ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerK&P participates in the Delphi Economic Forum IX, contributing to discussions on M&A and economic policy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PotamitisVekeriotis: Greek full-service law firm with strong corporate, finance, technology and competition practices. Comparable Athens-headquartered firm serving similar Greek and international clients.
• Zepos & Yannopoulos: Top-tier Greek law firm advising on banking, finance, capital markets, tax, and corporate matters with comparable client roster. Direct domestic peer competing for the same Greek landmark transactions.
• Dryllerakis & Associates: Greek commercial law firm specializing in corporate, banking, finance and competition matters with comparable Athens-headquartered structure. Direct domestic peer at similar tier.
• Lambadarios Law Firm: Greek full-service law firm with established banking, finance, corporate and litigation practices. Comparable Athens-based firm competing for similar Greek enterprise and financial institution clients.
• Kyriakides Georgopoulos Law Firm: A leading full-service Greek commercial law firm with similar banking, finance, capital markets, M&A and competition law capabilities. Closely matched tier-1 domestic competitor serving Greek enterprises and international investors.
• Papapetrou Panagiotidis & Partners: Athens-based Greek law firm advising on banking, capital markets, corporate and commercial matters. Domestic peer at similar tier and scale competing in the same Greek enterprise market.
• Bernitsas Law (Bernitsas Law Firm): Highly ranked Greek commercial law firm with strong banking, finance, M&A and capital markets practice. Direct competitor of similar size serving Greek systemic banks and large corporates.

Broad incumbents

• Clifford Chance: Global Magic Circle firm with strong banking, finance and capital markets capabilities and active Greek cross-border practice. Competes for the same international Greek deal mandates that K&P pursues.
• Linklaters: Global Magic Circle firm with significant practice in banking, finance and capital markets and Greek-related cross-border mandates. Competes with K&P on international Greek-related deals.
• Allen & Overy (A&O Shearman): Global Magic Circle law firm with established Greek practice and offices across major financial centers. Competes for cross-border Greek mandates (e.g., bond issuances, M&A) where K&P engages as local Greek counsel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/karatza-partners-law-firm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Karatzas & Partners