• Could you introduce Dryllerakis Law Firm and its core areas of expertise?
Dryllerakis Law Firm is one of Greece’s most prominent and long-standing business law firms. With a history of more than 60 years, we have built a reputation for legal excellence, business insight, and integrity. Our core areas of practice include Corporate and M&A, Competition Law, Taxation, Public Procurement, Administrative Law, and Litigation, including Arbitration.
We advise a wide range of Greek and international clients—from multinational corporations, listed companies, and foreign investors to state entities and high-net-worth individuals—across key sectors such as transportation, ports and marinas, infrastructure and construction, tourism, tobacco, pharmaceutical, real estate, banking and financial services.
Importantly, we are the exclusive Greek member of Terralex, one of the largest international legal networks. This allows us to collaborate seamlessly with top-tier law firms in over 100 jurisdictions and to support our clients’ cross-border legal needs with confidence and quality.
• Could you describe the values and development philosophy of Dryllerakis Law Firm?
Our Firm was founded on the principle that legal excellence must go hand in hand with integrity, long-term vision, and a deep understanding of the business world. We have grown steadily, step by step, without shortcuts, maintaining a culture of continuity, trust, and professional ethics. Most of our Partners, including myself, have spent their entire legal careers at the firm. This creates strong internal cohesion, consistency in the quality of our work, and a genuine commitment to our clients and the firm’s legacy.
What makes our firm stand out is the depth of our litigation practice. A large portion of our legal work consists of handling complex and high-stakes disputes across all types of court proceedings — from administrative and civil litigation to constitutional review and arbitration.
This rich litigation practice, along with our advisory and transactional work, has positioned us among the top Greek law firms and we are consistently ranked in top Tier across several categories by the International Legal Guides.
Looking ahead, we are fully invested in the future. We continuously adapt to new legal and business challenges, foster the next generation of legal talent, and invest in technology and infrastructure. Our modern, internationally-standard offices are a point of pride—reflecting the level of professionalism, confidentiality, and client care we aim to offer.
Dryllerakis Law Firm is not only growing, but growing with purpose: remaining independent, building long-term relationships, and expanding our capabilities while preserving the personal and tailored approach that defines us.
• What is your role at the firm and what is your approach to legal practice?
As a Partner at Dryllerakis Law Firm, I focus on Public Law, Tax and Customs Law, Public Procurement, and Privatizations, with both advisory and litigation expertise. I regularly represent clients before all levels of administrative courts, including the Administrative Supreme Court, and have also acted before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Many of the cases I handle involve high-value and legally complex disputes or transactions, particularly in regulated sectors such as ports, infrastructure, transportations and energy.
Over the years — always as part of a cohesive team within the Firm — I have managed some of the most significant matters before the Greek Administrative Courts, several of which exceeded multi-million-euro values and presented unique legal challenges. I have contributed to landmark decisions that overturned previous case law, or even led to the annulment of statutory provisions and ministerial acts — results that reflect the depth of our legal arguments and strategic litigation approach.
Beyond client work, I actively contribute to the broader legal discourse: I have spoken at professional conferences and published in leading legal books in the fields of public and tax law. I also play a managerial role within the firm, supporting our younger associates, coordinating with clients and stakeholders, and shaping the growth of our practice areas — always with a long-term, team-oriented perspective. Having built my entire legal career at Dryllerakis Law Firm, I deeply value the Firm’s culture of excellence, mentorship, and continuity.
• Tell us a bit about your academic background.
I hold an LL.B. and an LL.M. in European Law from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. I also completed two postgraduate business degrees at ALBA Graduate Business School: an MSc in Business for Lawyers and an MBA. This interdisciplinary foundation allows me to navigate legal challenges with a clear understanding of their business implications.
• You have recently taken on a particularly unique role in the world of motorsport. Could you tell us more about it?
Since January 1st, 2025, I have had the honor of serving as a Judge at the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as a member of the Cost Cap Adjudication Panel (CCAP). The CCAP is the judicial body responsible for resolving top-level financial disputes between Formula 1 teams and the FIA under the Cost Cap Regulations—a crucial part of ensuring fairness and integrity in the sport.
I am proud to be the first and only Greek national ever appointed as a judge within the FIA, which is the global governing body of motorsport. This appointment is not only a personal milestone but also a recognition of the quality and international standing of the Greek legal community. It is an exceptional opportunity to operate in an international legal environment at the highest professional standards—something that enriches my perspective and my practice.
• How would you describe the current state of the justice system in Greece and its impact on the economy?
The Greek justice system faces long-standing challenges, especially in terms of delays in adjudication and enforcement. These inefficiencies can create uncertainty and hinder economic growth, particularly in investment-heavy sectors such as real estate, energy, and infrastructure.
Although recent digitalization initiatives and legislative reforms are steps in the right direction, deeper structural changes are necessary. A faster and more reliable judicial system would significantly enhance Greece’s attractiveness as a business and investment destination.
• What are your thoughts on the firm’s recent membership in the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce?
We are very honored to join the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. The UK remains a strategic economic partner for Greece, and the Chamber provides a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and professional cooperation.
Our Firm has always had a strong connection to the UK. In fact, our founding Partner, John Dryllerakis, served as General Counsel for the Greek subsidiaries of SHELL between 1984 and 1996, during which he also established the legal department of the group’s operations in Greece. This historical link is emblematic of our longstanding commitment to international standards and the Anglo-Saxon approach to legal and business professionalism.
Our aim is not only to be present, but to contribute meaningfully to the Chamber’s mission. We are committed to maintaining an active and consistent presence in its initiatives, events, and working groups, and we are eager to share our legal insights and business experience in ways that promote legal certainty, good governance, and investment.
We believe that institutions like the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce play a crucial role in connecting ideas, businesses, and people—and we look forward to playing our part in that ongoing dialogue.