The POTAMITISVEKRIS practice shows ‘amazing collaboration’ and ’incredible knowledge’ when addressing the employment elements of cross-border corporate transactions and when handling unlawful termination claims. The practice has considerable experience before the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal, predominantly focusing on cases based on the principle of equal treatment. Based out of Athens, Alexios Papastavrou heads the department, specialising in acting for clients before industrial tribunals on social security related disputes, while Despoina Charakopoulou is knowledgeable in collective labour agreements. Anastasia Platipodi concentrates on mass dismissals, and Nikolas Sigkridis has expertise in employment contract matters. Semina Zavitsanou is also a key contact.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Highly collaborative and understand the need of their client.’

  • 'I am impressed by their professionalism, their promptness in responding to our needs and their engagement.’

  • ‘Despoina Charakopoulou has been with us since the beginning of our collaboration and helps us mitigate all issues that occur with excellent professionalism. We feel secure that she handles all issues with professionalism, that she has deep knowledge in the labour market and that she represents our interests in the best way.'

  • 'Afroditi Anorgianaki is a very promising young member of the team who has successfully handled - along with Mrs Charakopoulou - most of our cases.'
  • ‘Greek labour law is quite complex, and as our organization is growing, solid and on time guidance is needed. The firm offers high expertise on these areas.’

  • ‘Despoina Charakopoulou mainly, has been there for us anytime we need her, with knowledgeable advice in very difficult cases.’

  • ‘Amazing collaboration, incredible knowledge, responsiveness.’

Key clients

  • Philip Morris
  • Procter & Gamble
  • HSBC
  • Citibank
  • Johnson and Johnson
  • Angelini Pharma
  • MEGARON THE ATHENS CONCERT HALL
  • EYDAP SA
  • Eurobank
  • Janssen-Cilag
  • ION S.A. Cocoa & Chocolate Manufacturers
  • McDonald’s
  • Aegean Airlines
  • Lidl Hellas SA
  • Alfa Vita Vasilopoulos SA (Delhaize Group)
  • AGET IRAKLIS (Lafarge Group)
  • Hellas Gold SA
  • Attica SA
  • Generali Hellas
  • DPort Services
  • Newrest SA
  • YARA Hellas SA
  • Vouchers Services SA (EDENRED)
  • doValue Greece
  • GoStudent GmbH
  • Kessaris Jewellery SA
  • BMW Hellas SA
  • Medtronic Hellas SA

Work highlights

  • Represented ION in its litigation against Re 4 employees for wrongful dismissal following their refusal to change their remuneration package after reorganisation.
  • Represented Eldorado Hellas in its litigation against two unionists who were protected by law against dismissal.
  • Represented OTE in its litigation against six employees who were challenging the transfer of their employment agreements to other subsidiaries of the group, due to a demerger.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Alexios Papastavrou

Other key lawyers

Despoina Charakopoulou, Anastasia Platipodi, Nikolas Sigkridis, Semina Zavitsanou, Afroditi Arnogiannaki, Yiannis Ragos, Mary Tzanidaki, Maria Siraga