September 2024

Located in Bulgaria, a strategic crossroads between Asia and Europe, Ilieva Voutcheva & Co. Law Firm (IV Law Firm) has provided comprehensive legal services to corporate clients since its founding by managing partners Diliana Ilieva and Rossitsa Voutcheva. As a proud Globalaw member since 2007, the firm has established itself as a key player in the Southeastern European legal market.

"Our country may be small, but it's located in a very tactical position on the Balkan peninsula," explains Rossitsa. "Bulgaria can be considered a gateway to Europe from various directions, including Africa and Asia."

Comprehensive Corporate Legal Services

IV Law Firm specializes in corporate and commercial law, with a team of 12 lawyers offering expertise across multiple practice areas, including:

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Tax law (both structuring and litigation)
• Real estate and construction
• Medical law
• Energy and natural resources (particularly renewable energy)
• Competition law
• Data protection and GDPR compliance
• Labor law
• Litigation

"Having lawyers specialized in various legal areas allows us to provide comprehensive legal services to our clients," Rossitsa notes. "Our tax expertise makes it even more all-encompassing and thorough."

Litigation Expertise: A Competitive Advantage

IV Law Firm's expertise in litigation distinguishes it from many competitors. The firm’s litigation resources, strength, and professional capabilities provide clients with multi-disciplinary expertise, allowing them to access the services they need all within one firm.

"I’m proud of our skills as litigators," Rossitsa emphasizes. "Most of our big-law competitors prefer not to litigate. It's quite risky and demands significant resources, in terms of people and time involved."

Landmark Real Estate Projects

The firm has established a particularly strong track record in real estate development projects, handling everything from land acquisition to final property sales. One of their flagship projects is Paramount Gardens, a 50,000-square-meter residential and commercial complex in Bulgaria's capital city. The project presented unique challenges, including acquiring land from more than 50 different owners.

"We started from the beginning—structuring the entire transaction with many landowners involved as well as a group of investors," explains Rossitsa. "Various financial and legal interests had to be considered and adjusted.”

The firm's real estate portfolio also includes successful developments in Bulgaria's winter resort areas, including hotels and residences in the famous Bansko ski resort in the Pirin Mountains and Borovets in the Rila Mountains.

A Culture of Growth and Balance

The firm continues to grow, with the recent addition of Mariella Bogdanova-Kostova representing the next generation of legal talent. The firm takes pride in supporting work-life balance and professional development.

"We are very proud of having Mariella," says Rossitsa. "She's young but already rather experienced, both as a lawyer and as a mother, which is also important, and we very much encourage this."

Another point of achievement is that IV Law Firm is a “training law firm,” similar to a “training hospital” featured in one of the most popular medical TV shows. The firm teaches trainees on every case and paper from their first year in university. IV Law Firm attorneys are eager to transfer their perseverance, tolerance, professionalism and love for the profession to those coming behind.

Trusted Connections Through Globalaw

IV Law Firm values the Globalaw network for collaboration, knowledge exchange, professional credibility and instilling client confidence.

"The opportunity to provide an immediate reference to someone you know personally—I think it's invaluable, a precious advantage," Rossitsa says, describing the benefits of Globalaw membership.

This network has repeatedly proven valuable. Recently, Rossitsa was able to quickly connect a 15-year client with a trusted Globalaw colleague regarding a property purchase in the UK.

"It makes you look very good, capable and effective in your client's eyes as well," she notes. "He feels he can call me for everything, and it worked again."

Visit ivlawfirm.com for more information.

Chuo Sogo LPC hosted this year’s Globalaw Asia Pacific Regional Meeting (GLAPRM) in Osaka, Japan, convening delegates from over 20 countries, including all 15 Asia Pacific member firms.

 The business program featured engaging roundtable discussions on expanding a business in Japan and Korea, as well as managing a law practice, which included exchanging ideas on marketing, associate training, and financial strategies. Participants also discovered how to effectively apply AI to enhance practices and address critical issues, such as global data privacy across jurisdictions. Members of Globalaw’s new Sports Law Taskforce explored international influences and cross-border considerations for athletes and e-athletes.

Ms. Elizabeth Masamune, PSM, Managing Director of Asia Associates Japan, Inc., and a former senior Australian diplomat, spoke about the opportunities and challenges facing Japanese companies. Mr. Koji Kishida, President and CEO of Yamazen Corporation, discussed the legal expectations of Japanese companies doing business overseas.

Various social and entertainment opportunities enabled participants to experience Japan’s history and culture, including dining at the Geihinkan Former Guest House, a scenic boat tour of the vibrant Dotonbori district, and an exclusive visit to the World Expo 2025 site.

GLAPRM 2025 concluded with a gala dinner at the historic Kyu-Sakuranomiya Kokaido Hall, featuring an electrifying Japanese drum performance. After the session, guests enjoyed an immersive tour of Kyoto's cultural heritage and renowned temples.

During the meeting, the Globalaw Foundation donated $4,500 USD to KOZU GAKUEN (KOZU), a foster home for children who have experienced abuse, poverty, or whose parents are unable to care for them. This contribution holds special significance for Naoko Nakatsukasa, a partner at Chuo Sogo LPC. Naoko was previously appointed as a guardian for a woman with a mental impairment whose child was placed under the care of KOZU for 20 years and grew up to become a care worker at a hospital in Osaka. Read the press release.

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Have You Registered for GLEMEA?

Don’t miss the last regional meeting of the year! Meet, network and learn with fellow Globalaw members from June 11 to 14, 2025, hosted by Pelaghias, Christodoulou, Vrachas LLC in the coastal paradise of Ayia Napa. Learn More →

(May 12, 2025 – OSAKA, Japan) - Globalaw, a leading network of independent law firms, announces that its charitable arm, the Globalaw Foundation, has donated $4,500 USD to KOZU GAKUEN (KOZU) during the 2025 Globalaw Asia Pacific Regional Meeting (GLAPRM), which took place in Osaka, Japan, in April.

Founded in 1925, KOZU is a foster home for children who have experienced abuse or poverty or whose parents are unable to care for them. The organization houses over 80 children from 0 to 18 years old.

“We support children living with us in maintaining their dignity, growing up healthy in both mind and body, and becoming independent,” said a KOZU GAKUEN representative. “We promise to make meaningful use of this donation from the Globalaw foundation for the benefit of our children.”

The contribution to KOZU holds special significance for Naoko Nakatsukasa, a Partner at Chuo Sogo LPC, the Globalaw member firm that hosted GLAPRM. Nakatsukasa previously served as a guardian for a woman with a mental impairment whose child was placed under the care of the foster home for 20 years and grew up to become a care worker at a hospital in Osaka.

“KOZU provides safety, stability and a family environment to children who need it most,” said Globalaw President Peter J. Brown. “We are grateful to our members for uniting behind this powerful cause and enabling the Globalaw Foundation to make a transformative difference in the lives of children.”

Donating to local charities is a fundamental component of Globalaw’s event programming. Representatives from selected nonprofits are also invited to meet and network with Globalaw member firms, enabling them to increase awareness for their organizations and foster continued connections and engagement.

About The Globalaw Foundation

The Globalaw Foundation supports community organizations focused on helping young people access legal education and increasing access to justice for those who would otherwise be denied it for financial or other reasons. The foundation is funded through donations from Globalaw member firms and funds raised at Globalaw events. Visit www.globalaw.net for more information.

About Globalaw

Globalaw is a global band one Chambers-ranked leading network of approximately 80 independent law firms and 3,000 lawyers in over 60 countries. Our mission is to foster seamless legal collaboration among member firms and assist them in delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions to their clients worldwide. We take pride in our commitment to excellence, global reach, and innovative approach to legal services. Visit www.globalaw.net to learn more.

Media Contact:

Jaime Luckey

jaime@luckeycomms.com

Ángela López Molina's appointment as Globalaw's first Executive Director has been featured in Expansión magazine.

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