YIANNIS LOIZOS Yiannis, you’ve built an impressive career specialising in cross-border M&A. What first drew you into this complex area of law, and what continues to inspire your work today? Ever since I started my career, I was attracted to corporate and transactional work because it combines the precision of law with the realities of business. M&A really stood out to me early on because no two deals are alike. Each has its own mix of parties, sectors, and challenges, which means you are constantly learning and adapting with every transaction. I joined Koutalidis as a trainee and have been with the firm ever since. That continuity gave me the rare opportunity to work on major transactions from a very young age, learning directly from senior colleagues and building experience deal by deal. Although I only practise Greek law, almost all major Greek transactions involve an international element, whether the buyer, seller, or investor is based abroad. That “crossborder” dimension keeps the work fresh and challenging, and it allows us to act as a bridge between Greece and the global business community. What inspires me most is seeing the real impact our work has. These transactions can often shape entire industries, bring new investment into Greece and drive growth in the wider economy. Knowing that my team and I play a part in that keeps me motivated. As a Partner at Koutalidis Law Firm, you lead many high-profile transactions involving foreign investors in Greece. How has your approach to deal-making evolved over the years, and what do you consider essential when guiding clients through these negotiations? Over almost two decades, I’ve seen my approach evolve from being focused on legal particularities to taking a much bigger-picture view of deals. The technical side is crucial, of course, but deal-making is also about understanding what really matters to the parties involved, where the pressure points are, and how to balance legal risk with commercial goals. When working with international clients, three things are essential. First, clarity — simplifying what can sometimes be a complex Greek legal framework, especially to parties unfamiliar with our jurisdiction. Second, pragmatism — recognising when to hold firm and when a compromise makes sense. Third, steady communication — keeping clients confident that local challenges won’t derail their broader strategy. At Koutalidis, we place great value on combining legal excellence with this pragmatic, solutions-driven approach. That is what gives clients the confidence to entrust us with their most significant investments in Greece. Cross-Border M&A is fast-moving and highly regulated. How do you stay ahead of developments in Greece while also keeping pace with international trends, and what shifts do you see shaping the market in the years ahead? Staying ahead is a mix of constant learning and collaboration. On the Greek side, we keep a very close eye on legislative and regulatory changes — from corporate law updates to shifts in FDI rules. Internationally, we work closely with foreign firms on multi-jurisdictional deals, which gives us great exposure to emerging global trends. Looking forward, three major trends seem to stand out: first, the continued energy transition, with Greece playing an increasingly important role in renewables; Partner - Koutalidis Law Firm These transactions can often shape entire industries, bring new investment into Greece and drive growth in the wider economy. Knowing that our team and I play a part in that keeps me motivated. ABOUT KOUTALIDIS LAW FIRM Founded in 1930, Koutalidis Law Firm is one of Greece’s premier legal practices, combining a distinguished legacy with a forward-looking approach to today’s most complex transactions. Our track record has been consistently recognised by leading legal directories, with top-tier rankings across Chambers & Partners, Legal500, and IFLR1000. In recent years, we have also received multiple accolades, including IFLR Europe’s “Equity Deal of the Year” 2025 for our role in the Athens International Airport IPO, “Greek Law Firm of the Year” at the Chambers Europe Awards 2024, “Legal Adviser of the Year, Greece” at the IJGlobal Annual Awards, recognition at the Benchmark Litigation Europe Awards 2025, and four nominations at the IFLR Europe Awards 2025. With the majority of our clientele being foreign multinationals, we seamlessly bridge Greek and international business communities across M&A, capital markets, project finance, and corporate sectors. Our business-centric approach and deep local expertise have made us the preferred partner for complex cross-border transactions that shape Greece’s economic landscape. The following interview with Yiannis Loizos, Partner and recipient of the Cross-Border M&A Lawyer of the Year award, offers insights into the expertise and client-focused approach that continue to drive our success at the highest international standards. GREECE CROSS-BORDER M&A LAWYER OF THE YEAR LAWYER MONTHLY LEGAL AWARDS 2025 11 GREECE CROSS-BORDER M&A LAWYER OF THE YEAR 10 LAWYER MONTHLY LEGAL AWARDS 2025
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