DRAKOPOULOS

DRAKOPOULOS participated in the “Biodiversity” roundtable event held in Athens, on 31 October, organized by SOFTONE GLOBAL SUSTAIN, a market leader in services related to sustainability, responsible investing and the green economy. Mr Michael Spanos, CEO of Global Sustain, opened the event by emphasizing the significance of environmental, social and governance (#ESG) criteria in improving business standards and the critical role of #biodiversity #preservation as a business philosophy and objective. During the event, public authorities, sustainability experts and business leaders from various sectors discussed the importance of biodiversity for the proper functioning of ecosystems and highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in protecting biodiversity. Discussions also addressed the economic benefits of biodiversity preservation, underlining that preserving natural ecosystems not only protects the environment, but also supports #sustainable #development and long-term economic stability. Key takeaways included the need to create frameworks for joint action, increase investment in nature-friendly projects and raise awareness of the vital role of biodiversity in health, agriculture and climate adaptation. Drakopoulos recognizes that #responsible #business is a true investment and views ESG initiatives as fundamental to creating value and ensuring long-term #sustainability.

DRAKOPOULOS reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting D&I initiatives by once again participating in the 6th Diversity in Business Conference 2024, organised by Diversity Charter Greece, held in Athens, on October 10. This year’s conference aimed to highlight the best applied practices for fostering healthy #inclusion in the business environment, address the challenges present in the Greek reality and creatively examine the pillars of diversity that are prioritized on both the European and Greek agendas. We firmly believe that businesses should generate and deliver social value alongside financial success by actively implementing inclusion policies that enhance #equality, #diversity and #visibility in the workplace, and by working hard to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

DRAKOPOULOS and React , the international non-profit network dedicated to the global fight #against #counterfeiting, hosted a Product Identification Training Seminar in Thessaloniki on 3 October for over 70 officials from Customs, Police, Financial Crimes Unit and the Coast Guard. The seminar raised awareness of #IPR infringing goods and twenty well-known companies offered #training on their brands, demonstrating ways to identify counterfeit goods quickly and effectively. Drakopoulos partner Michalis Kosmopoulos said: "The training we organised is another milestone in the successful cooperation between brand owners, businesses and the #enforcement authorities in Northern Greece, and confirms the will of all stakeholders to further coordinate their efforts in the fight against counterfeiting and the protection of intellectual property rights. The seminar was considered a success by the participants and important lessons were learned. Drakopoulos, React's partner in Greece and Cyprus, continues to support the Greek authorities and private stakeholders in securing supply chains and stemming the flow of counterfeit goods.

DRAKOPOULOS is pleased to announce the launch of its new Data and Digital practice, dedicated to providing comprehensive legal solutions to clients navigating the increasingly complex landscape of data protection, digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. The practice is designed to serve clients across a range of industries with tailored legal services covering the entire lifecycle of data and digital assets, from initial compliance assessments and strategic planning to litigation and incident response. The new Data and Digital Practice is led by Of Counsel Ioannis Giannakakis, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM, FIP, C GDPR P, Cert. DPO, a highly experienced senior legal professional with internationally recognised expertise in data protection, cybersecurity and compliance across multiple industries and European geographies, and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Known for his dynamic leadership, John has a proven track record of delivering exceptional legal advice to clients. Partner Michalis Kosmopoulos, CIPP/E, CIPM, who brings extensive experience in helping clients navigate complex decision-making in high-risk, grey areas across multiple industries, particularly in the areas of intellectual property, data protection and TMT, will also join the team to enhance its capabilities. Senior associate Elena Vrakatseli, CIPP/E, CIPM, who has extensive experience in data protection and medical law having served as data protection officer for major groups in the healthcare sector, together with Of Counsel Dimitrios Kabourmalis, Cert. DPO, who has proven experience in effectively advising clients and government institutions on corporate governance, data protection and compliance matters, and senior associate Angie Alevizou, who has expertise in regulatory and compliance matters, will strengthen the team to provide sophisticated legal advice that not only addresses immediate concerns but also helps clients unlock long-term value from their digital strategies. The new practice underscores Drakopoulos' commitment to staying ahead of market trends and helping clients succeed in the rapidly evolving digital economy. For more information, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dZQjDyGF #data #digital #dataprotection #cybersecurity #artificialinteligence #TMT

DRAKOPOULOS was once again present at the International Bar Association's (IBA) 2024 Annual Meeting, which took place in Mexico from 15 to 20 September. Managing Partner Panagiotis Drakopoulos, also the Senior Vice Chair of the IBA's European Regional Forum (ERF), met with colleagues, clients and friends from around the world to discuss the latest trends and developments in the rapidly changing global legal environment. The annual conference attracts over 5,000 attendees representing more than 2,700 law firms, corporations, governments and regulatory bodies from over 130 jurisdictions. Besides the sessions lead by the ERF, on diverse matters spanning from “navigating and comparing the startup and venture capital ecosystems across Europe and the Americas, to exploring “how diversity and inclusion policies impact the business of law firms”, a major theme throughout the conference was the impact of AI on the legal profession, with more than 30 sessions dedicated to the topic. We look forward to next year's meeting in Toronto! #IBA2024 #IBAMexico #IBAERF

DRAKOPOULOS participated in the webinar "Neutral and inclusive communication language" on 19 September. The webinar was organised by Diversity Charter Greece, within the framework of the European project Neutral and Inclusive Communication in Corporate Environments (N.I.C.E.), which aims to strengthen diversity management strategies through inclusive and neutral communication, thus contributing to the fight against discrimination in the workplace. During the webinar, best practices from companies using inclusive strategies and language were presented, as well as a toolkit on gender-sensitive communication. To tackle gender inequality, we need to look at the way we communicate. At Drakopoulos, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where communication is respectful, equitable and transparent. We strive to ensure that all voices, regardless of gender, are heard and valued. Through ongoing training and open dialogue, we work to break down barriers and challenge bias, leading by example in the legal profession and beyond. #law #diversity

We are happy to announce that DRAKOPOULOS has been acknowledged for yet another successive year as a leading law firm in EMEA, in the 2024 IFLR1000 rankings. IFLR 1000, a leading financial and corporate directory, has highlighted Drakopoulos' strong presence in Southeast Europe, reporting that "Drakopoulos has business-oriented lawyers with a can-do approach, very quick response and tailored advice". Managing partner Panagiotis Drakopoulos is "highly recommended" for his "great responsiveness and excellent knowledge of the market". The annual IFLR1000 rankings identify the world's leading law firms and lawyers in financial and corporate law, based on transactional work and client feedback. This recognition underscores Drakopoulos' commitment to excellence and its ability to consistently deliver client satisfaction in tackling complex legal matters.

DRAKOPOULOS contributed to the August 2024 issue of CEE Legal Matters Magazine. Partner Mika Lalaouni wrote an article entitled "Navigating the Corporate and M&A Landscape in Greece: ESG Due Diligence in Focus for Sustainable Deal-Making". The article highlights the upward trend in transaction activity, showing that the market is not only recovering, but also attracting increased attention from international investors. It also explains the importance of ESG due diligence, a standard and essential tool in corporate and M&A transactions. Read the article below: https://lnkd.in/e-CuNMKC #lawfirm #corporatelaw #Mergers #Acquisitions

The Hellenic Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce (HRCC) has announced its new Board of Directors following elections held at the end of June, and Sotirios Intzes, DRAKOPOULOS Finance and Administration Director, has been elected and appointed for a second term as Financial Advisor to the Board. The Chamber represents the interests of more than 100 companies operating in both Romania and Greece. Greece is one of the leading countries investing in Romania, with the total amount earmarked for investment by Hellenic companies exceeding €54 billion by the end of 2023, according to the Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Greek Embassy in Bucharest. As an established member, Drakopoulos continuously supports the important work of the Hellenic-Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce (HRCC) by actively participating in its initiatives, promoting bilateral trade relations and contributing to the economic growth and cooperation between Greece and Romania. #HRCC #greece #romania #lawfirm

DRAKOPOULOS has been invited to be the exclusive country contributor to the CEE Legal Matters Comparative Legal Guide: Data Protection 2024 for Greece. The guide looks at key aspects of data protection laws in different jurisdictions, focusing on the main regulations, entities, and sectors covered. It discusses the territorial application, regulatory authorities, and data breach protocols, and examines penalties for non-compliance, enforcement trends, the influence of emerging technologies, and expected legislative changes. Our partner Michalis Kosmopoulos and senior associate Angie Alevizou, both with proven experience in data protection, have provided a thorough overview of the current state of legal and regulatory affairs in Greece. Always adopting a pro-business approach, DRAKOPOULOS serves as the right legal fit amidst the ever-changing data privacy area, helping its clients successfully navigate through tomorrow’s world. The guide can be accessed in electronic format here: https://lnkd.in/dHfCB5cK #law #lawfirm #dataprotection