Stela Ivanova

Partner

Advokat

LYNX Partner specializing in Insolvency & Restructuring, Transport Law, Banking & Finance, Intellectual Property, M&A, and Employment.
SPECIALIZED
Sole Bulgarian member of the German Society for Transport Law, delivering expertise for clients navigating cross-border logistics and transport matters.
INTERNATIONAL
Admitted to both the Bulgarian and German bars while serving as insolvency practitioner, mediator, and IP representative, ensuring seamless cross-border legal coordination.
LEADING
Co-heads the Insolvency & Restructuring practice group at LYNX, bringing strategic leadership to complex restructuring mandates across Southeast Europe.
RECOGNIZED
Contributing author for C.H. Beck and scientific counsel member at the German Society for South-East Europe, providing clients research-backed legal strategies.

About

Stela brings more than two decades of experience across insolvency, transport law, banking, intellectual property, M&A, and employment matters. Her trilingual fluency in English, German, and Bulgarian enables seamless communication with stakeholders across Western and Eastern Europe. Clients benefit from her ability to bridge different legal traditions while maintaining a practical, solution-oriented approach. She regularly guides foreign investors through greenfield projects and complex cross-border transactions in Bulgaria.

Her career began with a law degree from Sofia University in 1999, followed by an LL.M. in German Law from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Before joining LYNX in 2003, she coordinated scientific legal projects at the Institute for East Law in Munich and Regensburg. This academic foundation strengthens her ability to analyze intricate legal frameworks and anticipate regulatory developments. Two decades at LYNX have shaped an advisor who combines deep regional knowledge with international standards, positioning clients for success in Southeast European markets.

Practice Areas

Discover our focus, your advantage.

Corporate and M&A

Navigate mergers, acquisitions, and corporate transformations with senior advisors – from deal structuring to governance, ...

Insolvency and Restructuring

Navigate financial distress with restructuring specialists delivering strategic clarity for recovery or dignified exit. 

Banking and Finance

Structure complex financing transactions with specialized support balancing lender and borrower interests for smarter, faster ...

IP, Technology and Data

Turn IP, technology, and data challenges into competitive advantage with specialist legal strategies built for ...

Employment

Manage workforce strategy and risk with acclaimed employment law advice that balances commercial goals with the ...

Public Procurement

Access public sector opportunities with award-winning counsel that manages procurement risk intelligently and safeguards contract ...

Sourcing, Commercial and Trade

Strengthen procurement and trade operations with legal frameworks developed by a trusted partner to Europe’s ...

Competition and Antitrust

Clear high-value transactions, defend market positions, and manage regulatory scrutiny with competition law advice proven in ...

German Desk

Expand into CEE markets with German lawyers combining home-market perspective with hands-on local expertise.

What other have to say about Stela

A reputation defined by global trust and professional recognition.
"You are doing a great job. Things are going much better than we thought possible. And that is largely thanks to you.", 2025
Legal representative of a cross-border client, transport lawClient Testimonial

Explore Stela's professional background

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany (LL.M. in German Law)
Sofia University “Sv. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria (M.A. in Law)

“Handbuch Wirtschaft und Recht in Osteuropa: WiRO”, C.H. Beck, 2025
“Korruptionsbekaempfung in Bulgarien: Vermoegensabschoepfung als Reaktion auf korruptes Verhalten”, in Kuepper, H., Korruptionsbekaempfung in Osteuropa, forost, Munich, 2009
“Bulgarien”, in Suess, R., Erbrecht in Europa, Zerb Verlag, Wuerzburg, 2009
“Bulgarien in: Betriebsuebergang, Mittel-, Ost- und Suedosteuropa”, BayMe, Munich, 2007
“Die Vollstreckung von Gerichtsurteilen in Bulgarien”, forost, Munich, 2005

INSOL Europe
DGTR (German Society for Transport Law)
SOGDE (German Society for South-East Europe)

Advised a banking client on a complex of cross-border insolvency-related litigations.
Advised a foreign investment fund on one of the first FDI clearance cases in Bulgaria.
Coordinated a complex cross-border return of abducted assets to a leading logistics company.
Assisted numerous greenfield investors in Bulgaria in opening local production facilities.

English
German
Bulgarian

Get in touch with Stela

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