2025 has been a remarkable year for Penkova & Partners, marked by continued recognition and authorship in several of the world’s most prestigious legal directories and publications in the field of Employment and Labour Law.

Chambers and Partners – Five Years of Recognition

For a fifth year, Penkova & Partners has been ranked by Chambers Europe for Employment, reaffirming the firm’s leading position in Bulgaria in this practice area. Both Partners, Diana Milkova and Victoria Penkova have been individually recognised for their deep expertise and commitment to excellence.

As Chambers Europe notes:

“Penkova & Partners garners a strong level of client support for its employment practice. The team is notably active on employment terminations, disciplinary proceedings as well as on internal employment policies. The law firm's client base includes retail corporates and manufacturers, amongst others.”

What clients say:

 “Diana is very helpful for understanding and dealing with any employment related issues we come across. We can always rely on her legal advice.”

“Diana Milkova stands out for her ability to think practically even when faced with complicated legal matters.”

“Victoria Penkova is great at decision-making with the ability to act firmly and decisively in any situation."

"Victoria is always responsive and prepared.”

Building on this recognition, Diana and Victoria also authored the Bulgaria chapter of the Chambers Global Practice Guide for Employment 2025, launched on 23 September 2025. Their contribution provides a comprehensive overview of Bulgarian employment law for an international audience, addressing key developments in employment relations, data privacy, non-compete clauses, and evolving workplace dynamics.

Lexology Recognitions – Expertise Acknowledged on a Global Scale

In 2025, Penkova & Partners continued to strengthen its reputation as a thought leader through its partnership with Lexology, the global legal intelligence platform.

The firm’s partners, Diana Milkova and Victoria Penkova, were once again selected as contributors to Lexology Panoramic 2025 – Labour and Employment (Bulgaria), providing comparative insights into Bulgaria’s employment law framework. This marks the second consecutive year of their authorship for this prestigious publication.

In addition, Diana Milkova was listed by Lexology Index for Employment and Labour as a “Recommended Expert”, further underscoring her strong reputation in the field of employment law and her practical experience in advising employers on complex workforce matters.

The Legal 500 – Comparative Expertise and Continued Rankings

Earlier in the year, Penkova & Partners also authored the Legal 500 Comparative Guide for Employment and Labour Law (Bulgaria), prepared by Diana Milkova and Victoria Penkova. This guide offers in-depth analysis of the country’s employment regulatory landscape and practical guidance for employers navigating local and cross-border labour challenges.

Commitment to Excellence and Forward Thinking

At Penkova & Partners, clients rely on the firm’s employment law team for strategic, industry-specific advice across all areas of workforce management — from employment contracts and restructurings to cross-border mobility, disciplinary procedures, and dispute resolution.

This year’s recognitions by Chambers and Partners, Lexology, and The Legal 500 reaffirm its role as a trusted advisor to domestic and international employers navigating Bulgaria’s evolving employment law landscape.

“These continued distinctions reflect our deep commitment to quality, insight, and client trust,” said Diana Milkova, who leads the Employment team of the Law firm. “Employment law is at the heart of every business, and our goal remains to help employers anticipate change and achieve compliance with clarity and confidence.”

Read our latest contributions and rankings:

• Chambers Global Practice Guide – Employment 2025 (Bulgaria)
• Lexology Panoramic – Labour & Employment 2025 (Bulgaria)
• Legal 500 Comparative Guide – Employment & Labour (Bulgaria)

Penkova & Partners remains dedicated to shaping the conversation around employment law in Bulgaria and beyond — combining international perspective, local expertise, and unwavering commitment to client success.