What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

Over the past 12 months, the applicant as Chief Legal Officer (Ηead of the relevant legal division) actively participated in the drafting and execution of 209 real estate sale agreements conducted by Grivalia Management Company on behalf of its client, a large Greek systemic bank (Eurobank), relating to the sale of 500 real estate assets with a total transaction value exceeding €100 m. These transactions formed a critical part of Eurobank’s broader asset management strategy in the context of its strategic divestment from non-core assets. The legal work related to these sales was carried out either internally by Grivalia’s in-house legal department or externally through selected law firms and legal professionals appointed specifically for this purpose. The Chief Legal Officer oversaw the entire contractual process, ensuring that all agreements complied with the applicable legal and regulatory frameworks while safeguarding Eurobank’s interests. This role involved coordinating across departments, advising on legal risks, and ensuring the timely and efficient execution of contracts.

During the same timeframe, Grivalia Management Company acting again for Eurobank, signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of a package of 8 big boxes /real estate assets, which were utilized for Praktiker’s operations. The total consideration for this highly complex transaction that involved also simultaneously a share deal for the sale of Praktiker operations, amounted to approximately €140m.

The successful implementation of these transactions (210 sale agreements, 508 real estate assets, transaction value of €240m) demonstrates Grivalia’s legal team capability to manage complex real estate deals and deliver high-value outcomes for its clients.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

The legal department has a vital responsibility in educating and steering the organisation through periods of business adversity. The following are essential components of our efforts to enhance organisational resilience.

We anticipate crises and prepare accordingly. At the business operations level, we work to ensure that the organization’s legal framework is both sound and resilient, designed to support business continuity while maintaining full legal and regulatory compliance, even under added pressure while safeguarding business integrity. At the level of our legal team’s internal structure, the in-house setup we’ve developed, complemented by our network of trusted external counsel, enables us to swiftly adapt role assignments and refocus our efforts to meet emerging challenges.

We activate all necessary tools in responding to a crisis: We closely track legal and regulatory changes to maintain compliance, assist in mitigating losses by revisiting and adjusting existing contracts, and draft new agreements tailored to evolving circumstances and the organization’s risk appetite. Where potential disputes arise, we take proactive steps to prepare for litigation if necessary. More than just aligning with revised business strategies, we help shape them: Drawing on our central role as the glue that holds together all business functions, we contribute directly to strategic decision-making. Our long-standing insight into each department’s inner workings allows us to promote collaboration and facilitate information flow, essential for a unified, effective response to a rapid change.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A modern in-house counsel must embody a unique blend of legal expertise, business acumen, and strategic insight. While deep knowledge of relevant laws and regulations remains fundamental for ensuring compliance and managing risk, today’s in-house counsel distinguish themselves by integrating legal advice within the broader business context. They must thoroughly understand the company’s operations, industry dynamics, commercial objectives, and importantly, the organisation’s risk appetite in order to provide practical, solution-oriented guidance that aligns with the set levels of business risk appetite.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are vital. In-house counsel translates complex legal concepts into clear, actionable insights for non-legal stakeholders and serve as trusted advisors to senior leadership, requiring diplomacy, flexibility and credibility.

Adaptability is also crucial in today’s rapidly evolving business environment, with emerging risks spanning data privacy, ESG, and AI. Modern in-house lawyers must be agile, technologically proficient, and proactive in identifying and mitigating new challenges before they impact the business.

Finally, possessing a collaborative mindset makes the in-house counsel a strategic business partner. Embedded within the organisation, in-house counsel work closely with cross-functional teams, building trust and fostering partnerships that ensure legal considerations are seamlessly integrated into strategic decision-making.