Competition/European Law – Greece (Band 2) 

What the team is known for   

Dryllerakis Law Firm has a competition practice representing well-established domestic clients in proceedings before the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) and in appeals against HCC decisions. The department regularly acts for clients in behavioural investigations. The team also advises clients on state aid issues and is well equipped to assist with obtaining competition law clearance for proposed transactions. 

Work Highlights 

Dryllerakis Law Firm represented LARCO before the ECJ in a dispute concerning alleged state aid. 

Strengths 

“The law firm offers very strong knowledge and experience, and is customer and results-oriented.” 

“Dryllerakis Law Firm deals with cases across the whole spectrum of competition law.” 

“Dryllerakis Law Firm not only has the ability to handle complex matters but also to present them with simplicity and clarity so things can be understood by the interested parties.” 

“It is a high-level team, delivering very good results.” 

“Dryllerakis Law Firm’s team has significant and up-to-date knowledge and practical experience in competition law legal matters, as well as a thorough understanding of the company’s needs.” 

 Notable practitioners 

John Dryllerakis is a highly respected and much sought-after authority on competition law. He regularly represents clients before Greek and European courts in unlawful state aid cases and appeals against HCC fines. 

“John Dryllerakis is a highly experienced lawyer.” 

Cleomenis Yannikas regularly represents clients in investigations into anti-competitive behaviour before the HCC and in appeals against HCC decisions before the administrative courts. His broad expertise also covers merger control filings and competition compliance, including assisting with commercial agreement and distribution network issues. 

“Cleomenis Yannikas has deep knowledge of the sector and is always available and efficient in providing comprehensive legal support.” 

“Cleomenis Yannikas is simply excellent.” 

Emmanuel Dryllerakis‘s Emmanuel Dryllerakis’ practice covers contentious and non-contentious mandates, including representing clients in behavioural investigations and appeals against HCC decisions in investigations, as well as advising on merger filings. He also assists clients with competition law compliance issues, including questions around sustainability. 

Ranked Lawyers 

John Dryllerakis:  Senior Statespeople 

Cleomenis Yannikas:  Band 2 

Emmanuel Dryllerakis:  Band 2 

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Corporate/Commercial – Greece (Band 2) 

What the team is known for   

Dryllerakis Law Firm is an Athens-based law firm that houses an excellent corporate department. The team offers particular expertise in handling M&A transactions, including the acquisition of energy and hospitality assets, spin-offs and large privatisations. Clients also benefit from the firm’s strengths in shareholder matters, due diligence and cooperation agreements, as well as joint venture set-ups. Its activity across the technology, real estate and energy sectors further illustrates the firm’s presence in the market and makes the firm particularly attractive to international clients. 

Work Highlights 

Dryllerakis Law Firm advised Thessaloniki Port Authority on its involvement in the privatisation process of the previously state-owned Port of Heraklion, Crete. 

Strengths 

“I have a very good impression of Dryllerakis Law Firm. They are excellent.” 

“I truly rely on their experience and expertise in handling complex issues that arise under Greek corporate law.” 

“They add value to the transaction by finding solutions to obstacles along the way. I am very pleased with the performance.” 

“I appreciate their in-depth knowledge of the relevant fields, business-oriented approach and quick response. I am completely satisfied.” 

“Dryllerakis Law Firm demonstrates commitment to our needs, provide quick responses to our requests and deliver a high level of work.” 

Notable practitioners 

John Dryllerakis is highly regarded for the breadth of his expertise in corporate and commercial law mandates across Greece. 

“John is a tremendous resource, combining legal expertise with a commercial and pragmatic approach.” 

Cleomenis Yannikas is regularly involved in large privatisations and M&A transactions, especially in relation to the hospitality sector, with further expertise in investments and spin-offs. 

“Cleomenis is hard-working, listens carefully and engages thoughtfully.” 

“He is open-minded and strives to find solutions when an impasse is reached. He is a pleasure to work with.” 

Emmanuel Dryllerakis advises on a variety of corporate and commercial transactions across Greece and other jurisdictions, including the acquisition of energy assets and the establishment of joint ventures. 

“Emmanuel is a very strong and efficient partner.”   

Ranked Lawyers 

John Dryllerakis:  Senior Statespeople 

Cleomenis Yannikas:  Band 2 

Emmanuel Dryllerakis:  Band 2 

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Dispute Resolution – Greece (Band 1) 

What the team is known for 

Dryllerakis Law Firm is a market-leading firm that handles both litigation and arbitration work. The law firm advises on diverse commercial proceedings, with notable experience in disputes over the termination of distribution and agency agreements, as well as contract breaches, damages and shareholder disputes. The firm’s senior partners act either as arbitrators or as counsel in domestic and international arbitration. The team further advises on complaints to the Greek competition authority and handles contentious tax mandates and white-collar crime cases flowing from allegations of fraud or embezzlement.   

Work Highlights 

Dryllerakis Law Firm represented Burlington in litigation concerning violations of the client’s IP rights. 

Strengths 

“Dryllerakis Law Firm possesses a very good knowledge of Greek law, legal theory and case-law. The firm also has a vast experience in arbitration.” 

“What distinguishes Dryllerakis Law Firm is its punctuality and promptness when providing legal advice and support. Even in urgent situations, the firm’s responses are immediate.” 

“The content of their advice and support is straightforward and to-the-point. They take into consideration other parameters and risks, helping us identify them in advance and take proactive measures.” 

“The firm consistently delivers legal solutions that align with clients’ business objectives.” 

“Dryllerakis Law Firm is able to develop clear litigation strategies and to implement them.” 

Notable practitioners
Senior lawyer John Dryllerakis boasts outstanding experience in commercial and administrative litigation. He is also frequently appointed as arbitrator. 

Panagiotis Kakaletris assists with disputes arising from the non-performance of contracts and the termination of other commercial agreements, as well as the violation of IP rights and shareholder disputes. 

“Ηe is very experienced, calm and knows exactly how to handle situations and people. He possesses great social skills, combined with a high-level knowledge.” 

“Panagiotis is efficient, sophisticated, punctual, to the point and always takes into consideration potential risks, allowing us to evaluate each case in depth.” 

“He is very efficient in the resolution of conflicts with third parties thanks to his soft skills and experience.” 

“Panagiotis offers strong responsiveness and a deep understanding of clients’ business needs.” 

Vassilis Constantinidis offers advice on diverse issues including those linked to commercial disputes, competition law breaches and employment litigation. 

“He is a great partner with high business acumen.” 

“Vassilis shows responsiveness, commercial awareness and expertise.” 

“Vassilis has a great experience in the sector.” 

Ranked Lawyers 

John Dryllerakis:  Senior Statespeople 

Panagiotis Kakaletris: Band 3 

Vassilis Constantinidis: Band 3 

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Employment – Greece (Band 3) 

What the team is known for 

Dryllerakis Law Firm maintains a noteworthy employment team that frequently acts alongside international law firms in the capacity of Greek local counsel. It provides guidance on the drafting of employment contracts and policies, including with regard to outsourcing and flexible working arrangements as well as the hiring of foreign nationals. The firm also assists with the termination of employment and the signing of labour agreements. 

Strengths 

“ The partners we work with at Dryllerakis are true professionals in their field, and they are always precise and detail-oriented.” 

“They are always prompt in addressing our needs, ensuring that we receive timely and clear communications.” 

Notable practitioners 

Vassilis Constantinidis is well known and respected for his skills as a general commercial litigator, which he also deploys to great effect in employment disputes. He provides further counsel on non-contentious employment matters, including those relating to the implementation of collective agreements. 

Ranked Lawyers 

Vassilis Constantinidis: Band 3 

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Energy – Greece (Band 4) 

What the team is known for 

Dryllerakis Law Firm is an established law firm that handles a broad range of mandates in the energy sector and has a particular expertise in renewable energy matters. The team has significant experience in providing regulatory advice, as well as assisting with due diligence and M&A transactions. The department frequently assists clients with complex photovoltaic development projects.  

Strengths 

“ Dryllerakis Law Firm operates seamlessly, leveraging the strengths of individual members to provide well-rounded solutions.” 

“The Dryllerakis Law Firm team offers a structured, informed and thorough but also client-oriented and personable approach.” 

Notable practitioners 

Emmanuel Dryllerakis is a key point of contact for clients. 

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Tax – Greece (Band 2)  

What the team is known for 

Dryllerakis & Associates has a long-established department that is widely respected for its prowess in contentious tax proceedings, frequently litigating before the administrative courts. The law firm offers comprehensive advice on the full gamut of cases relating to real estate tax, VAT, stamp duty issues and general tax compliance. The team also assists with matters relating to corporate income tax. 

Strengths 

“ Dryllerakis Law Firm demonstrates high-level expertise, comprehensive case management, strong advocacy and attention to detail and has a proven track record.” 

“Dryllerakis Law Firm boasts a versatile tax team with highly skilled associates. The firm is well traversed in the complex tax law landscape in Greece.” 

Notable practitioners 

John Dryllerakis leads the firm’s tax practice. He is a highly respected and much sought-after authority on tax law matters. He stands out for his unrivalled experience in litigation proceedings. 

“John Dryllerakis is a great expert in tax law. He is respected and highly regarded for his knowledge and expertise in this field. He is an excellent person to work with.”   

Eleftherios Rantos is a highly regarded lawyer who is active in both contentious and non-contentious cases relating to corporate income tax. 

“Eleftherios Rantos is very effective.” 

“Eleftherios Rantos achieves favourable outcomes on significant tax court cases.” 

John Papadakis is recognised for his involvement in contentious tax cases, including stamp duty and VAT matters, as well as his assistance on non-contentious tax audits. 

“John Papadakis is a very effective and knowledgeable lawyer. His advice is very easy to understand for someone without a legal background.” 

“John Papadakis has exceptional expertise, extensive experience and a proven track record in handling complex tax matters.” 

Nikolaia-Anna Lepida has particular experience in contentious tax mandates, handling matters such as VAT and income tax, as well as indirect taxation issues. 

“Νikolaia-Anna Lepida has very deep knowledge in all tax-related matters and is great at finding creative solutions to problems.” 

“Νikolaia-Anna Lepida can navigate the complex tax law framework in Greece with ease.” 

Ranked Lawyers 

John Dryllerakis:  Senior Statespeople 

Eleftherios Rantos: Band 3 

John Papadakis: Up and Coming 

Nikolaia-Anna Lepida: Up and Coming