Lela Basilaia, associate of Dentons’ Tbilisi office, coached the Vis Moot team from New Vision University in Georgia. The team participated in the AIAC APAC Pre-Moot in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) from March 6-8^th and was the only team from Georgia. They competed against 150 teams and performed exceptionally well, securing a spot in the top 8. The team was awarded the “Spirit of the Moot” award for their outstanding performance and commitment to inclusiveness and fairness during the competition.

When asked about the achievement, Lela Basilaia stated: “Our team secured its place among 8 best teams out of 150 participants at AIAC-APAC Vis Pre-Moot and was honored to receive a special award – “Spirit of the Moot”. I could not be prouder of my team for this wonderful achievement. Now we are working hard to show our “Spirit of the Moot” in the final round in Vienna.”

Her first steps as a coach were at the 13th Tbilisi Vis Pre-Moot organized by CLDP Georgia and Arbitration Initiative Georgia (AIG), where Dentons Georgia sponsored the event.

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, or Vis Moot, is an international moot competition. Since 1994, it has been held annually in Vienna, Austria, attracting more than 300 law schools globally and spurring the creation of more than 20 pre-moots each year before the actual rounds are held in Vienna. It is the largest arbitration moot competition, and second-largest moot overall, in the world; considered a grand slam or major moot.

The Asian International Arbitration Centre (“AIAC”), orchestrating brilliance since 2017 through its iconic AIAC Pre-Moot, has hosted some of the biggest regional events in conjunction with the Vis Moot. Conducted within the hearing rooms at Bangunan Sulaiman, Kuala Lumpur, the AIAC Pre-Moot has established itself as a redefining spectacle of excellence.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

In the newly released 2024 edition of the Chambers Europe guide, Dentons’ Tbilisi office maintains its Top-ranked position and increases its individual rankings.

Our practice continues to be ranked as Band 1 for General Business Law, the only practice area ranked by Chambers Europe 2024 for Georgia, and both our partners traditionally are recognized as a top ranked lawyers – Otar Kipshidze Band 1 for Dispute Resolution and Band 2 for General Business Law and Avto Svanidze Band 1 for General Business Law.

We are happy to announce that two of our lawyers have received new rankings. Per the guide, “an outstanding litigation lawyer with a deep and profound knowledge of local laws” Zurab Kiliptari (Dispute Resolution) joins the rankings on the back of strong market support, and Associate to watch Irakli Pipia (General Business Law) enters the rankings for the first time this year on the back of positive client feedback: “Irakli Pipia offers quality client service.”

According to the Chambers Europe’s commentators, “Otar Kipshidze understands the client’s needs very well…”, and “is available for the ‘big picture’ queries”, when Avto Svanidze is described as “a top lawyer.”

Furthermore, Dentons’ Tbilisi team maintained its Top-ranking position in the latest 2024 edition of Chambers and Partners’ global guide, that was released in February. In addition to our Band 1 position in General Business Law, the only practice covered for Georgia, both our partners got leading recognition in the individual rankings.

Chambers and Partners is the leading independent professional legal research company, delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world’s leading lawyers and law firms. Chambers Global Guide ranks the top global lawyers and law firms in over 200 jurisdictions across the world. Chambers Europe Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms across Europe, providing indispensable insights, and market intelligence for law firm clients as well as legal professionals.

Dentons’s Tbilisi practice is top ranked by Chambers and Partners since 2007.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Dentons is happy to announce that Sopho Mebonia has been promoted to Senior Associate in our Tbilisi office.

Sopho Mebonia is with the firm since 2015. Her practice focuses on project finance, and she has experience in assisting both lenders and borrowers in debt and equity transactions.

Sopho acts for international financial institutions, private commercial lenders, project sponsors in a various sectors and she has significant experience in advising on all aspects of lending. Additionally, she actively participates in the significant capital markets transactions of the firm, with a specific focus on financial, energy and telecommunications regulatory matters.

Recently, she assisted EBRD on various financing transactions, involving both senior and subordinated loans with different Georgian banks as borrowers, Austrian Georgian Development on the issue of US$15 million secured bonds listed on the Georgian Stock Exchange, EBRD and Swedfund on US$50 million Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital loan to the Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank on the transaction with DFC involving the guarantee of loan portfolio, and FMO in providing a loan portfolio guarantee to Terabank, marking the initiation of the NASIRA guarantee program in Georgia.

“Sopho is a valuable member of our Tbilisi team. Having an excellent reputation among colleagues and clients, she has a promising future. This is a well-deserved promotion.” – said Otar Kipshidze, Managing Partner.

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About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

We would like to announce that LTD “Golden Tower”, a construction-developer company and a core member of EU-Georgia Business Council, is rapidly progressing in the Georgian market.

The company has commenced multiple important projects in both the Eastern and Western territories of Georgia. These projects will facilitate the process of reaching the final goal: the development of business in Georgia, the creation of employment opportunities and the betterment of the country’s economy.
“Golden Tower” actively collaborates with the Georgian government.

Additionally, we would like to inform you that within the government-initiated project, “Tskaltubo New Life”, “Golden Tower” made a direct purchase of the “Tskaltubo” sanatorium from the government.

“Golden Tower” has taken up a responsibility towards Georgia and its citizens to establish and facilitate the development of a beautiful balneological resort.

Our company studied the history of the “unique resort” of Tskaltubo and, with the given information as well as by taking into consideration the existing legal and political stability levels in Georgia, LTD “Golden Tower” made the decision to participate in this historical undertaking.

Within the given initiative and the “Tskaltubo New Life” project, our company was offered collaboration by “Zaha Hadid Architects”, an internationally renowned architectural company, whose founder was the world-famous Iraqi architect, Zaha Hadid. There are currently ongoing negotiations with the above-mentioned company regarding the construction and development of the region.

I believe that “Golden Tower”, with its future steps will also facilitate the development of other, remaining projects within the “Tskaltubo New Life” initiative.

“Golden Tower” is also ready to participate in the development of other regions of Georgia, because the company’s priority is not only the establishment of a private business, but that of becoming pioneering participants of the historical development of Georgia as the most beautiful and rapidly developing country.

Member of the Qatar Royal Family, Sheikh Nayef Eid M.T. Al-Thani

“Golden Tower Qatar” CEO:
Said Mohamed Salah Abdelrahman Ahmed