VAP LAW OFFICES

Vicky Athanassoglou, Founder and Managing Partner of the Athens-based law firm VAP LAW OFFICES, explains how the firm supports international investors and adapts to the evolving needs of its clients.   What do you see as the main points that differentiate VAP LAW OFFICES from your competitors? At VAP LAW OFFICES we approach legal advice from a strategic business perspective. Understanding the risks behind each decision allows us to guide our clients proactively and help them protect and grow their businesses, rather than simply reacting to legal issues after they arise. Another key differentiator is our ability to connect people and opportunities. Through our long-standing relationships in Greece and internationally, we are often able to bring together investors, advisors and industry stakeholders. Our strong network and deep market knowledge frequently allow us to facilitate solutions that go beyond the strictly legal aspects of a transaction. Our team culture also plays an important role. We operate in a highly collaborative and dedicated environment where the focus is on team excellence and long-term client relationships. Over the years we have developed strong sector expertise in industries such as healthcare, real estate, tourism and energy, which allows us to provide advice that is both legally precise and commercially meaningful. Finally, our international perspective is essential. Cross-border work requires much more than language skills. It requires an understanding of different business cultures, negotiation styles and regulatory environments. Our extensive experience working with foreign investors and international transactions allows us to act not only as lawyers, but also as deal makers and practical problem solvers who help bridge international and local perspectives.   Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that? One sector where we clearly see strong growth is healthcare. In Greece there has been a significant increase in interest from international investors, particularly private equity funds, looking to acquire or invest in healthcare providers, clinics and specialized medical services. Many of these investors are attracted by the strong fundamentals of the Greek healthcare market and the opportunities for consolidation. At the same time, they often aim to maintain the existing local management and operational teams while introducing capital and strategic development. As a result, we expect continued growth in M&A transactions, corporate restructuring and regulatory advisory in the healthcare sector. Alongside this, sectors such as energy, tourism and real estate development will also remain active due to Greece’s attractiveness as an investment destination.   What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients? One of the most important developments at VAP LAW OFFICES has been the way we have structured the firm around the needs of international investors entering the Greek market. VAP LAW OFFICES has developed into a highly specialized firm supporting investments, M&A  and the full legal lifecycle of complex transactions. This includes structuring investments, regulatory advisory, project development and financing, as well as transaction execution. We have also expanded our capabilities in handling sophisticated cross-border matters, particularly where international investors are entering the Greek market. By concentrating our expertise in these areas, we are able to guide clients through complex and highly structured transactions in a very practical and efficient way.   Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them? Technology has certainly transformed the way legal services are delivered. Communication with clients today is faster and more integrated than ever before. Digital collaboration tools allow us to work closely with clients and advisors located in different jurisdictions, often in real time. At the same time, technology helps us manage complex transactions more efficiently by improving document management, coordination between parties and access to information. However, in our experience the most important element remains human judgment. Technology can support efficiency, but strategic advice, negotiation and understanding the broader business context still rely on the expertise and experience of the legal team.   Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business? In many transactions, the value we bring goes beyond the drafting of agreements. A practical example is when we help clients design the legal and corporate structure of an investment in a way that is both operationally efficient and tax-efficient. By carefully structuring shareholdings, financing instruments and governance arrangements, it is often possible to significantly improve the long-term financial outcome of an investment. In several cases we have assisted investors in structuring acquisitions or development projects in Greece in a way that reduced tax exposure, simplified governance and facilitated future financing or exit opportunities. These structural decisions can have a major impact on the overall success of a project.   Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time? Clients increasingly expect their law firms to provide not only legal expertise but also stability, strategic thinking and a deep understanding of the markets in which they operate. In the coming years we see VAP LAW OFFICES continuing to strengthen its position as a trusted advisor to international investors entering or expanding in Greece. Our focus will remain on complex investment projects, cross-border transactions and sectors where we have developed strong industry knowledge. We aim to continue growing in a focused and sustainable way, expanding our international network and maintaining the close, partner-level relationships that our clients value. Our objective is to remain a firm that clients rely on not only for legal advice, but also for strategic guidance in their most important business decisions.