Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Banking and finance

Banking and finance in Georgia

Archil Mchedlidze’s Law Practice LLC

Archil Mchedlidze’s Law Practice LLC is a Tblisi-based practice led by Archil Mchedlidze and Valeri Bendianishvili which assists clients from local emerging markets, including on projects in engineering, infrastructure, and agricultural development.

Principaux dossiers


BGI Legal

BGI Legal is praised by clients for having an ‘exceptional combination of legal expertise and practical, business-oriented advice’. The team advises domestic and international lending and borrowing clients, on corporate transactions and capital market deals. The practice is co-headed by Lasha Gogiberidze, who has extensive experience in high-risk banking and finance transactions, and Unana Gogokhia, who advises large banks on issuance and concurrent tender offers. The team is also supported by Sandro Bibilashvili, who works with large international corporations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Lasha Gogiberidze; Unana Gogokhia


Autres avocats clés:

Sandro Bibilashvili


Les références

‘The team is highly responsive, approachable, and proactive in anticipating challenges before they arise. Their collaborative approach ensures that matters are handled efficiently, with excellent coordination among lawyers of different seniority and expertise.’

‘Attentive, flexible, and genuinely invested in achieving the best outcomes for us.’

‘We were impressed not only with the technical competence of the lawyers but also with their professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to add real value as trusted advisors.’

Principaux clients

Citi


Jeffrey’s


Merrill Lynch


JP Morgan


Barclays


BNP Paribas


UBS


Goldman Sachs


Societe Generale


Amsterdam Trade Bank


East-West United Bank


Procredit Bank


MoneyGram


Western Union


Coinbase


Mastercard


E-Toro


Alipay


Binance


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Citibank, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs on a finance transaction structured as a bridge to bond loan to ENERGO-PRO a.s, guaranteed among others by its material Georgian subsidiaries.
  • Advised Citigroup Global Markets Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities on JSC TBC Bank’s issuance and listing on Euronext Dublin of $300m 10.25% perpetual subordinated callable additional Tier 1 notes and a concurrent tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding 5.75% senior notes due 2024.
  • Advised an IFI on investing $150m climate loan in TBC Bank to facilitate access to finance for its small and medium enterprise (SME) portfolio and support development of the country’s climate finance market.

BLC Law Office LLC

BLC Law Office LLC places a strong focus on capital markets and bond issuances, covering an array of cross-border matters concerning investment funds and asset management. Practice head Rusa Tchkuaseli handles capital market transactions, and debt and equity financing. She is supported by Alexander Bolkvadze, who has significant experience in corporate transactions, Ketti Kvartskhava, who handles corporate litigation matters, and Giorgi Batlidze who is a specialist in IP and infringement, as well as covering corporate law matters. Tamta Ivanishvili is also a key team member, with experience in structuring cross-border transactions and handling collateralising of debt financing.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rusa Tchkuaseli


Autres avocats clés:

Alexander Bolkvadze; Ketti Kvartskhava; Giorgi Batlidze; Tamta Ivanishvili


Principaux dossiers


Dentons

Dentons is home to an experienced banking and finance team, which handles debt and equity financing transactions across a wide range of sectors in the Georgian economy, and advises clients on all aspects of secured lending. Otar Kipshidze covers an array of banking and finance matters, while Avto Svanidze is noted for his experience in complex corporate, finance, and regulation matters. The team is supported by associates Neli Tsivtsivadze, who handles large capital market transactions, and Sopho Mebonia, who acts for lenders and borrowers in debt and equity transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Otar Kipshidze; Avto Svanidze


Autres avocats clés:

Neli Tsivtsivadze; Sopho Mebonia


Principaux clients

AFD


AIIB


DFC


EBRD


FMO


Gojo & Company


JP Morgan


MoneyCorp


NATIXIS


Société Générale


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising EBRD on senior loans to Bank of Georgia including $100m equivalent under FIF for on-lending to MSMEs in Georgia; and $100m equivalent for energy efficiency investments under the GCF-GEFF Regional Framework.
  • Assisting Gojo & Company on issuance of AT1 bonds by Credo Bank.
  • Advising AFD on 2025 tranches of sovereign loan to Government of Georgia, which includes Infrastructure Component.

Andersen in Georgia

Andersen in Georgia provides comprehensive legal support to international companies, financial institutions, investment funds, and government entities. The team handles a range of work including private equity, venture capital, syndicated loans, and debt and equity financing. At the helm of the practice is Archil Giorgadze, who advises private investors and government entities on public-private partnerships. George Svanadze covers general corporate issues, while Lasha Machavariani works on corporate and personal data protection issues. Other key members of the team are Tamar Jikia, who was promoted to partner in May 2025, and Teona Sesitashvili, who deals with a variety of corporate structuring, governance, and transactional matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Archil Giorgadze


Autres avocats clés:

George Svanadze; Lasha Machavariani; Tamar Jikia; Teona Sesitashvili


Principaux clients

Antara Capital LP


Highbridge Capital Management LLC


GLAS Trust Corporation Limited


JSC Bank of Georgia


Lian Capital Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised JSC Bank of Georgia on the issuance of $300m 9.5% perpetual subordinated callable additional tier 1 notes, successfully listed on Euronext Dublin.
  • Assisted Antara Capital LP, Highbridge Capital Management LLC and GLAS Trust Corporation Limited as lenders in a $120m bridge loan and potential security enforcement.
  • Advised client on negotiation, drafting and finalisation of a convertible note instrument with its historical investors.

BLB (Business Legal Bureau)

Covering the entire scope of banking and finance matters, BLB (Business Legal Bureau) is a full-service law firm that manages all legal affairs for clients spanning various industries. Leading the team is founding partner Kakha Sharabidze. He is supported by Maya Mtsariashvili and Ana Rekhviashvili.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kakha Sharabidze


Autres avocats clés:

Maya Mtsariashvili; Ana Rekhviashvili


Principaux clients

The European Fund for South East Europe S.A., SICAV-SIF (EFSE)


Green for Growth Fund S.A., SICAV-SIF (GGF)


US Development Finance Corporation (DFC)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised EFSE on the issuance of a synthetic loan facility to the one of the licensed microfinance organizations in Georgia.
  • Assisted GGF on the issuance of a synthetic loan facility to the one of the licensed banks in Georgia.

Gvinadze & Partners LLC

Gvinadze & Partners LLC assists local and international companies looking to invest in Hungary. Collaborating with international law firms, the team are able to offer a multi-jurisdictional service. The team is led by experienced partner Nick Gvinadze, who handles work in the Georgian and international market. He is supported by Sophie Panjikidze, who handles a range of banking and finance transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nick Gvinadze


Autres avocats clés:

Sophie Panjikidze


Principaux dossiers


EY Law

EY Law‘s banking and finance team offer their clients a practical understanding of the operations of financial institutions due to the experience of practice head Tato Chantladze. The team advises commercial banks and international companies on regulatory structure, cross-border transactions, and liquidation matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tato Chantladze


Les références

‘Deep industry and market knowledge, full support and follow up during the engagement and during negations.’

‘The team has been truly remarkable in their communication with stakeholders throughout the various processes we’ve worked on. Their approach feels more like that of a colleague, always available and attuned to what needs to be communicated, rather than an external service provider.’

‘Every member of the team is familiar with your case. Backup is not only guaranteed but also well-informed and efficient.’

Principaux clients

JSC Silk Bank


Avant Group Georgia LLC


Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising JSC Silk Bank, a Georgian commercial bank on the regulatory structuring of innovative financial products, including compliance with the National Bank of Georgia’s requirements.
  • Advising Avant Group Georgia LLC in structuring the financing for a cross-border transaction by negotiating a multi-national bank guarantee mechanism with TBC Bank (Georgia) and Kapital Bank (Azerbaijan).
  • Advising Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques, a telecommunications company, on the liquidation of its Georgian subsidiary, including unfreezing restricted bank accounts and ensuring full AML compliance.

MKD Law

MKD Law is geared to support international financial institutions on cross-border banking, capital markets, and structured finance work. Victor Kipiani leads the team with experience in financial innovation work. Alongside him is Mikheil Gogeshvili, who assists with corporate and technical finance issues, and David Dzidziguri who is experienced is capital markets, project financing, and banking related corporate mandates. Natalia Babakishvili is a key client liaison, who handles contract drafting.

Responsables de la pratique:

Victor Kipiani


Autres avocats clés:

Mikheil Gogeshvili; David Dzidziguri; Natalia Babakishvili


Les références

‘Team is nice and knowledgeable.’

‘Natalia Babakishvili is exceptional on what she does. I am extremely happy with her level of expertise in helping with bond documentation and process to issue bonds in Georgia. With her as a lawyer, it gives sense of comfort. I would recommend her.’

Principaux clients

Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO)


The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”)


Gebrüder Weiss LLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised FMO on the issuance of its GEL 80m floating rate amortising notes due 15 June 2030—marking FMO’s first-ever local bond issuance of a dematerialised security through Georgia’s central depository system.
  • Advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the issuance of its GEL 190.89m floating rate amortising note due 29 May 2028.
  • Advised Gebrüder Weiss LLC on a EUR 3m loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), aimed at financing the construction of a logistics terminal near Tbilisi.

Nodia, Urumashvili & Partners

Nodia, Urumashvili & Partners operate at the intersection of regulatory strategy, financial law, and economic governance. Clients include local financial institutions, crypto-currency platforms, and foreign investors. Tamta Margvelashvili, who spearheads the practice, handles complex merger control filings and structured finance transactions. Lasha Nodia advises international clients on corporate matters related to insolvency and restructuring.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tamta Margvelashvili


Autres avocats clés:

Lasha Nodia


Les références

‘The practice is distinguished by its collaborative approach and innovative mindset. They adapt flexibly to client needs, combining rigorous legal analysis with a pragmatic understanding of fast-moving industries.’

‘Rare combination of professionalism, deep sector knowledge, and forward-looking strategic perspective.’

‘Tamta Margvelashvili stand outs for her ability to combine technical legal knowledge with industry-specific insight. She is proactive, responsive, and able to translate complex regulatory issues into clear, actionable advice that fits the realities of our business.’

Principaux clients

Ziraat Bank Georgia JSC


BasisBank JSC


Bank of Georgia JSC


Cafman Limited LLC


Cryptomat LLC


Granat LLC


DFI Europe GmbH


Alma LLC


Georgian Renewable Power Operations JSC


Georgia Capital JSC


MP Development LLC


Whitebit LLC


TK Ventures LLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Granat LLC’s shareholders on the alienation of shares in a Granat LLC designated as a strategic investor under Georgian law.
  • Advising Whitebit LLC, one of Georgia’s licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), on the country’s evolving regulatory framework for virtual assets.
  • Representing Cryptomat LLC, a licensed Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP), in a case concerning equal treatment and competitive neutrality among regulated VASPs in Georgia.