An in-depth look at Aigest Milo of Kalo & Associates covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.
Career:
Kalo & Associates, Co-Managing Partner, 2020-present
Kalo & Associates, Executive Partner, 2019-2020
Kalo & Associates, Partner, 2017-2019
Pay and Go, Chief Legal Officer, 2015-2017
Kalo & Associates, Associate, 2009-2015
Education:
University of San Francisco, LLM Degree in Taxation, 2021-present
Universite de Bordeaux, Master’s in Business
Administration, 2013-2015
Universite Paris Ouest Nanterre La Defense, LLB Degree in Business Law, 2005-2009
Favorites:
Out of office activity: I take every opportunity I get to read, but I also enjoy spending time over a glass of wine with friends and family.
Quote: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston S. Churchill
Movie: I love historical movies but, if I should choose, I would mention Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan.
Top 5 Projects:
Advising the EBRD (and other lenders) in relation to the project financing of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline;
Advising Albania Telecom Invest and One Telecommunications SHA on the refinancing of a EUR 48.5 million acquisition loan from First Investment Bank. The refinancing loan was made by a club consisting of three banks of the OTP group – OTP Bank (Hungary), DSK Bank (Bulgaria), and Banka OTP Albania;
Acting as tax and legal advisor to Alpha Bank S.A. on the sale of its 100%-owned Albanian subsidiary Alpha Bank Albania SHA to OTP Bank;
Advising Agence Francaise de Developpement in the negotiation of two credit facility agreements (EUR 100 million) with the Republic of Albania;
Advising Societe Generale on the sale of its participation in Societe Generale Albania to OTP Bank.
What is one thing clients likely don’t know about you?
Milo: If I have to choose one, I would say the sale by Societe Generale of its subsidiary in Albania. The transaction was quite complicated as there were also minority shareholders involved, who had a pre-emption right for the acquisition of the shares. Therefore, in addition to the main negotiation with OTP Bank (the buyer) there were difficult negotiations with six different shareholders, who were continuously threatening to exercise their pre-emption rights, hence risking the whole transaction. Finally, we did succeed on a satisfactory arrangement for all the parties – Societe Generale purchased the shares of the minority shareholders, became the sole shareholder, and transferred the shares to OTP Bank – and the transaction was closed.
And what was your main takeaway from it?
Milo: This was one of the moments when I realized that we as lawyers, quite often, can make or break a deal.
What is one thing clients likely don’t know about you?
Milo: In our profession and day to day dealing with the clients, we rarely have the opportunity or the time to talk of ourselves, and it is really a pity as I believe that the more personal you get with a client, the better you will be able to assist and advise. That being said, I do, from time-to-time, try to convince those clients who are brave enough to try my cooking skills (while listening to Italian music).
Name one mentor who played a big role in your career and how they impacted you.
Milo: I have started at Kalo & Associates fresh out of school and, in the early years of my career, I had the opportunity to work with all the Partners of the firm at the time. They had a big influence in my professional development but, if I must single out one, I would choose our Founding Partner, Perparim Kalo, for his work ethics and believing in my capacities from day one.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself fresh out of law school?
Milo: Learn as quickly as possible how to organize your work and how to delegate. This will allow you to dedicate some time for yourself and your family.
This article was originally published in Issue 9.11 of the CEE Legal Matters Magazine. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the magazine, you can subscribe here.
