Services

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Our expertise in dispute resolution spans a wide range of services from representation in complex civil/administrative litigation to complex criminal investigations and prosecutions.

We provide sophisticated representation and advice to clients facing exposure to civil or administrative liability with a focus on the principle to avoid disputes whenever possible and resolve efficiently when they arise. Our litigation practice also covers regulatory compliance matters, we have been privileged to handle some of the most complex competition-related disputes of recent times in Georgia.

We provide a full spectrum of legal representation in criminal law matters starting from the very beginning of a criminal investigation. Our team delivers sound advice concerning a detailed course of action if wrongdoing is identified and brings each matter to a favorable resolution delivering the best possible outcomes.

We advise on a full range of arbitral matters, including investor-state arbitration, disputes involving construction and infrastructure projects, contractual, corporate and M&A-related disputes. Our team has an alternative dispute resolution practice equipped to advise on all mediation and conciliation methods.

Project Finance

Our Project Finance Practice offers market-leading experience advising on legal matters related to project structuring and development from the beginning to the end of a project’s life cycle.

We possess the global perspective and local experience to complete even the most complex transactions for corporate borrowers, commercial and investment banks, fund managers, financial institutions, and governments.

Our team regularly represents advanced international corporations, financial institutions, investment funds, and private equity sponsors in complex financing transactions.

Capital Markets

We offer advice on all forms of capital-raising, intricate, cross-border financing, strategies for acquisitions, reorganization restructurings, regulatory matters, all forms of structured financing and innovative funding solutions, and fund formation.

Our team was privileged to advise the first largest industrial enterprise in Georgia and the very first privately held commercial company in Georgia, which issued Eurobonds in one of the internationally recognized stock markets. 

We are capable of advising clients raising and managing capital in complying with ongoing changes of legal and listing requirements in Georgia.

Corporate

As local leaders across all corporate disciplines, we provide advice in a full spectrum of corporate practice areas. Our diverse client base includes commercial companies, financial institutions, investment funds, governmental agencies and private investors from around 30 countries across the globe. Our international and domestic client base is a testament to our commitment to achieving business goals for our clients most innovatively and efficiently.

Our core competencies include all key aspects of mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, private equity and investing, corporate finance, and board and committee counseling.

We assist our clients in all aspects of M&A transactions – from front-end strategic planning and structuring, to managing the deal process, through successful execution and closing.

An integral part of our corporate practice is legal due diligence aimed at identifying and assessing risks connected with acquiring/contracting a target company or assets.

Employment

We represent and advise clients across the spectrum of labor and employment matters, including allegations of wrongful termination, employment discrimination, and non-competition clause violations.

Employers seek our help in drafting and litigating employment, severance, and restrictive covenant agreements, as well as in auditing and drafting employment policies and practices.

Our team effectively assists corporate clients in complying with rapidly changing legal requirements of employment-related regulations. We serve as trusted advisors to large corporations, privately held companies and individual executives seeking the representation on issues from compensation, employment, incentives, employee relations, disputes, HR policies, and privacy, to restructuring, pensions, and immigration.

Energy

Our team has one of the most experienced practices focused on energy and infrastructure transactions. We have the local market knowledge and essential contacts for new opportunities and introductions to key local regulators and industry players.

BLB lawyers apply a client-oriented individual approach to address legal challenges related to the sector. Our team expertise combines a deep understanding of energy laws and regulations associated with the construction of power plants and all necessary licenses/permits/authorizations, as well as lasting support to energy companies’ operations.

Banking & Finance

Our team has an excellent record of advising financial institutions, corporate borrowers, securities issuers and other participants in financing transactions.

Our expertise covers banking regulations and regulatory compliance, insurance-related matters, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and bank holding companies, operation of investment vehicles, lien structuring, credit facilities, working capital compliance, letter of credit and other acquisition facilities, and restructurings. We have significant experience in dealing with the complexities of cross-border investment transactions, subordination terms, and other inter-creditor issues in projects involving multiple investors.

Real Estate

We advise our clients on a full range of real estate matters.

Our team has an excellent record of representing borrowers and lenders, buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants in handling the real estate projects related to acquisition, leasing, development and construction, debt finance, and real estate securities.

Our lawyers have extensive trial-focused litigation experience in the real estate industry; they regularly handle the most complicated and complex real estate-related litigation across the country.

Privatization

The privatization process in Georgia began in the early 90-s immediately after the collapse of the USSR. Our team has been involved in the privatization process of State-owned property ranging from large-scale companies to real estate from the very first years of the Georgian market economy.  

Our expertise in the field includes, but is not limited to, Due Diligence on the title, assessment of legal risks, negotiations with government officials, contract drafting, and obtaining all necessary authorizations/approvals. Along with the legal aspects of the transaction, we advise clients on other necessary steps to be taken in order to obtain full and absolute title on the privatized property.

EU Regulations

In 2014 Georgia has signed Association Agreement with European Union; the Agreement introduces a preferential trade regime for Georgian companies  – the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) increasing market access between the EU and Georgia.

Within the process of EU integration, Georgia strives to have better-matched regulations with the EU; thus knowledge and expertise in EU laws and regulations became critically important for local enterprises also the investors willing to enjoy DCFTA benefits in Georgia.

Members of our team have gained knowledge and expertise in this subject area as graduates of leading European and UK universities.

Our team advises prospective exporters from Georgia on established European standards and assist in bringing their products/services in compliance with EU laws and regulations.

Business & Human Rights

We advise every interested party to each aspect of the International Human Rights law and practice. In this respect, in addition to Georgian legislation in force, we use our knowledge and long-standing expertise in conventional human rights and respective outstanding cases.

From the very first sign of an alleged violation, our team members elaborate and execute the best course of action with a result-oriented approach for the satisfaction of our clients’ expectations.

We deal with reputational risks associated with the defamation and/or malignant reputational sabotage involving businesses/business community members or other public personas.

Media Law and Regulations

Media law and related regulations are relatively new in Georgia and we are the first local law firm introducing it in our practice.

BLB partners have substantial expertise in Media Law. We provide insights on international standards established in Media Society as well as relevant regulations of advanced countries to the local media community.

Through our legal analysis, crafted separately for every case, we help persons/entities to draw lines between defamation and assumption or statement of fact. The BLB team evaluates each case from the perspective of freedom of expression and false statements, sometimes having devastating effects on persons involved. We provide the media community with legal analysis and opinions on the subject of media coverage and multiple social or other issues helping them to maintain the “watchdog” function.

Intellectual Property

We provide advice on complex IP matters related to the acquisition, commercialization, and enforcement of patents, trademarks, copyrights and/or related rights.

The BLB team has a remarkable record of achieving clients’ objectives without trial through settlement, alternative dispute resolution, and ex-parte practice. We initiate court proceedings when necessary and have the right courtroom experience to effectively litigate any IP case.

Our team is privileged to protect and enforce the IP rights of some of the world’s largest and most respected companies.

Maritime Law

Our team has substantive industry experience in virtually all facets of maritime law, including charter parties, contracts of affreightment, maritime casualties, marine construction, tug and towage, vessel registration, its purchasing and financing, marine cargo claims, vessel arrests, pollution incidents, maritime liens, maritime bankruptcies, and related insurance issues.

We provide our clients with advice with a focus on their long-term goals and assist in the management of risks and reducing potential liabilities related to maritime legal issues.