Associate
Teona Kareli advises domestic and international employers, contractors, engineers, consultants and investors on a broad range of construction, infrastructure and energy matters. Teona’s practice focuses on FIDIC-based contracts, EPC arrangements, public procurement, contract administration, claims management and construction dispute resolution. She regularly advises clients throughout the lifecycle of major infrastructure projects, including procurement, contract negotiation, project implementation, Dispute Avoidance/Adjudication Board (DAAB) proceedings, international arbitration and commercial litigation.
In addition, Teona advises domestic and international clients on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, legal due diligence, corporate governance, shareholder relations and general corporate advisory. She also advises on investment transactions, project development and the implementation of internationally financed projects, including procurement procedures governed by the rules of international financial institutions.
Prior to joining BLC Law Office, Teona served as the Head of the Contractual Provisions Unit of the Legal Service at the Roads Department of Georgia, where she advised on nationally and internationally financed infrastructure projects and public procurement matters. Earlier in her career, she gained experience at the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia and the Tbilisi City Court.
- Advised employers, contractors and engineers on the drafting, negotiation, interpretation and administration of FIDIC Red, Yellow and Silver Book contracts, EPC contracts and other bespoke construction agreements, including contractual risk allocation, claims procedures, Engineer's determinations, payment mechanisms, variations, extensions of time and dispute avoidance.
- Represented clients in Dispute Avoidance/Adjudication Board (DAAB) proceedings, international arbitration and domestic litigation arising from construction and infrastructure projects, including disputes relating to delay, defective works, termination, payment claims, performance guarantees and other contractual remedies.
- Advised clients on the procurement and implementation of internationally financed infrastructure projects, including the preparation of tender documentation, Particular Conditions of Contract, procurement procedures, contract negotiations and post-award contract administration in accordance with the procurement rules of international financial institutions.
- Advised clients on the development, construction and implementation of renewable energy projects, including hydropower, wind and solar developments.
- Advised employers, contractors and project sponsors on the drafting, negotiation and enforcement of performance guarantees, advance payment guarantees, retention guarantees, parent company guarantees and project insurance arrangements.
- Advised investors on acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, corporate restructurings and other strategic transactions, including cross-border M&A transactions, legal due diligence, transaction structuring and the preparation and negotiation of transaction documentation.
- Conducted legal due diligence for cross-border acquisitions and investments, including the review of corporate, contractual, regulatory, licensing, real estate and project documentation.
- PhD Candidate in Law, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (2021–present)
- M.Sc. in Construction Management, Georgian Technical University (2021–2023)
- LL.M. in Business Law, Free University of Tbilisi (2017–2019)
- LL.B., Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (2013–2017)
- FIDIC Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) (since 2024)
- Member of the Georgian Bar Association (since 2017)