DGKV Open Day for Members of ELSA Bulgaria

DGKV hosted an Open Day for members of ELSA Bulgaria on 14 May 2026 at the firm’s office in Sofia, continuing the firm’s commitment to supporting the professional development of future legal professionals and strengthening its long-standing cooperation with the student legal community.

The event gave law students the opportunity to gain practical insight into the work of one of Bulgaria’s leading law firms and to meet lawyers from different practice areas in an open and interactive environment.

During the official session, participants heard personal and professional perspectives from members of the DGKV team:

• Ivan Punev, Partner, presented the history, culture and key facts about DGKV, as well as insights from a number of interesting cases from his work in the fields of Venture Capital, General Corporate, M&A and Taxation. Ivan also shared his own professional journey at the firm, having joined DGKV as a trainee in 2012 and progressed through all professional levels within the firm over the past 14 years before becoming partner in 2026.
• Peter Angov, Senior Associate in the firm’s Real Estate & Construction, M&A and Venture Capital teams, introduced participants to the dynamic nature and practical challenges of real estate practice. Having started his career at DGKV as a trainee in 2016, Peter also shared his experience combining legal practice with academia in his role as Assistant Professor and PhD candidate in Property Law at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. His presentation included practical examples and case studies highlighting key risks in real estate transactions and the real-life aspects of the profession.
• Sofia Lefterova, Associate at DGKV since 2024, discussed the challenges and rewarding moments in the work of a young lawyer and shared practical advice for the beginning of a legal career. She also presented aspects of her work in the fields of intellectual property law and healthcare and pharmaceutical regulation and highlighted the importance of students participating in specialized legal competitions and moot court initiatives in Bulgaria and abroad as an important step in developing practical legal skills and professional confidence.

The discussions focused on practical aspects of legal work, the realities of professional development, and the challenges young lawyers encounter in different practice areas. Participants actively engaged in the conversations and had the opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas with the speakers and other members of the firm.

The event also prompted a broader discussion on the importance of practical experience as part of the legal education process. Members of the DGKV team emphasized that internships and other forms of practical exposure within a law firm environment provide students with valuable insight into the profession and contribute significantly to the development of analytical, communication and problem-solving skills. The participants also discussed the benefits of integrating more practice-oriented initiatives, including workshops and interactive training formats, into the academic process.

Following the official part of the event, the discussions continued during an informal after-hours gathering with members of the DGKV team, providing students with additional opportunities for networking and direct interaction with practicing lawyers.

DGKV would like to thank ELSA Bulgaria for the excellent cooperation and organization of the event, as well as all participating students for their strong interest, thoughtful questions and enthusiasm for the legal profession.

 

ELSA Bulgaria is part of The European Law Students’ Association (ELSA), the world’s largest independent organization of law students and young lawyers, bringing together members from universities across Europe. Through academic, professional and networking initiatives, ELSA Bulgaria actively supports the development of future legal professionals and promotes international cooperation within the legal community