Memnia Papadopoulou – GC Powerlist
GC Powerlist Logo
Greece and Cyprus 2025

Sport and media

Memnia Papadopoulou

Head legal counsel | SPORTSOFT

Download

Greece and Cyprus 2025

legal500.com/gc-powerlist/

Recommended Individual

Memnia Papadopoulou

Head legal counsel | SPORTSOFT

Team size (optional): 10 – 15

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

The rebranding and re-establishment of one of the major eGaming companies in the market.

The registration of new Trademarks developed by the marketing team locally in EUIPO and WIPO.

The restructuring of the group’s legal structure, including registration of new companies and transfer of businesses across jurisdictions to ensure compliance and legal efficiency.

The comprehensive review and full redrafting of legal documents across all disciplines, including Player Terms and Conditions (covering EU jurisdictions and offshore), Affiliate Terms and Conditions and Insertion Orders, Vendor Agreements, and all other legal documentation.

The establishment of New Forex Broker, including: the registration of companies in Cyprus and internationally- establishing a tax efficient and legally compliant legal structure; the drafting all legal documentation required by HR, Software Development, Marketing, and Administration teams, including but not limited to employment agreements, service agreements, vendor agreements, and website terms and conditions, and legal documentation (client agreement, partner agreement, policies and other applicable documentation needed); and leading negotiation, due diligence, and drafting of legal documents for a major real estate transaction in Cyprus. This unique real estate development project involved acquisition due diligence, negotiation of value, payment methods and structure, as well as post-completion legal work, including consultants’ agreements with internationally renowned architects, construction agreements, and supplier contracts. I also liaised with local authorities to secure all necessary licensing for the project.

The ICAN educational system project — a cause very close to my heart. We developed a completely new educational ecosystem from scratch, including the establishment and licensing of a primary school, two preschools, a private institute, summer educational camps, and the ongoing licensing process for a secondary school. Beyond the legal complexities, this project has a significant social impact on the community, requiring extensive coordination and collaboration with various local and central government departments, as well as internal and external teams.

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

A modern in-house counsel should be a strategic enabler, not a last-minute deal blocker. That means embedding ourselves in the business from the outset, shaping negotiations, anticipating risks before they arise, and designing commercially viable solutions that align with strategic objectives. To deliver this added value, in-house counsel must have a deep understanding of the company’s products, services, and commercial drivers, enabling advice that is both legally sound and commercially astute. An essential element of this role is the ability to think outside the box, crafting creative, practical solutions that advance the business while managing risk. By combining legal expertise, commercial insight, and innovative thinking, we shift from being passive gatekeepers to trusted partners, helping the organisation move faster, negotiate smarter, and execute with confidence.

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

Ensuring the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining strict compliance with data protection laws requires a balanced, forward-thinking approach. Our strategy begins with a deep understanding of the relevant local and international regulatory frameworks to ensure all digital tools and processes meet or exceed data privacy and cybersecurity standards.

In line with industry trends, our team has integrated an AI co-counsel to enhance efficiency, support legal research, and streamline routine tasks — always ensuring its use complies with data protection requirements. Additionally, we have digitalised all our legal systems and workflows to the fullest extent possible, developing internal software to effectively track agreements, legal documentation, and compliance obligations. This balance of innovation and control respects the constraints imposed by regulatory and governmental requirements.

Collaboration between internal legal, internal client teams (such as marketing, HR team, IT/Software developers and procurement teams), and the software development team is key, alongside continuous training to keep the department up-to-date on both technological advancements and evolving data protection obligations. By embedding ‘privacy by design’ principles and conducting regular audits, we maintain a robust compliance posture while transforming the legal function into a more agile, tech-enabled partner for the business.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am deeply passionate about initiatives like ICAN, which support working parents by providing access to excellent childcare facilities and education for their children. Even before joining my current organisation or having children myself, I strongly advocated for employers to prioritise such benefits. When employees feel secure about their children’s well-being, they are able to focus fully and perform to the best of their abilities. These initiatives go beyond traditional wellbeing programs or team-building exercises — they actively shape stronger societies and families by creating an environment where employees can thrive professionally and personally. Investing in such support empowers both men and women to balance their roles and confidently pursue leadership opportunities, driving inclusivity, empowerment, and purposeful leadership in the workplace.

Related Powerlists