Partner

Anri Khonelidze is a Partner at BLC Law Office and Head of its Batumi Branch. Since joining BLC in 2009, he has advised Georgian and international developers, investors, landowners, hotel and casino operators, energy companies and financial institutions on major investments, development projects and disputes. His practice focuses on real estate and construction, corporate/M&A, project development, hospitality and leisure, energy and infrastructure, and complex commercial litigation.

Anri has extensive experience structuring and negotiating high-value and legally complex real estate development and joint venture projects. He advises throughout the project lifecycle, including land acquisition and title matters, investment and shareholder arrangements, SPV and JV structures, construction and development agreements, branded residence and aparthotel models, financing and security, permitting and regulatory matters, unit sales, property and rental management, and project exits. He regularly coordinates multi-party negotiations among landowners, developers, investors, operators and lenders.

Anri has particular experience in the hospitality and leisure sectors, advising on hotels, casinos and mixed-use resort developments. His work includes hotel management and operation agreements, leases, branding arrangements, owner-use and rental pool models, service and property management structures, as well as gambling licensing, regulatory and commercial matters. Alongside his transactional practice, he represents clients in high-value corporate, construction, real estate, land and expropriation disputes.

Representative Experience
  • Structured and negotiated complex joint venture and shareholder arrangements for large-scale real estate and mixed-use developments, addressing landowner and developer contributions, equity adjustments, governance and reserved matters, call and put options, security and enforcement, deadlock resolution and exit rights.
  • Advised local and international developers throughout the lifecycle of residential, commercial and hospitality projects in Batumi and elsewhere in Georgia, including land acquisition, title and access issues, zoning and permitting, construction, pre-sales, handover, registration, management and operation.
  • Led the legal structuring of branded residence, aparthotel and resort developments involving international hotel brands and operators, including the preparation and negotiation of pre-purchase and sale agreements, hotel management, lease, rental pool, owner benefits, service and property management documentation.
  • Advised hotel owners, investors and operators on management and operation agreements, leases, branding and technical services, food and beverage operations, owner-use regimes, refurbishment obligations and the allocation of operating costs, revenues, performance standards and termination rights.
  • Advised casino operators and investors on market entry, licensing, regulatory compliance, corporate and operational structuring, lease and management arrangements, gaming-related commercial contracts, tax matters, interactions with authorities and related disputes and enforcement risks.
  • Represented developers, contractors, landowners and investors in high-value construction and real estate disputes involving delays, defects, penalties, termination, payment claims, land title, access and easement issues, expropriation and administrative proceedings, pursuing both litigation and negotiated settlements.
  • Advised on acquisitions, share sales, restructurings and strategic investments across real estate, hospitality, energy and infrastructure, and on renewable energy developments involving government and PPP agreements, land and servitudes, grid connection, EPC, financing, security and regulatory approvals.
Recognition

Recognized as a Rising Star Partner by IFLR1000 in its latest edition. IFLR1000 has also described him as “hard working and very educated.”

Education & Credentials
  • LL.M. in Corporate Law, Caucasus University, School of Law (2009)
  • Bachelor’s Degree, Tbilisi State University of Economic Relations (2007)
  • Diploma, New Braunfels High School, New Braunfels, USA (2003)
  • Admitted to the Georgian Bar
Languages

Georgian, English and Russian