The ‘diverse and pragmatic’ team at Moussas & Partners Attorneys at Law consistently acts on behalf of clients in cases arising from corporate governance and capital markets regulatory matters before civil and administrative courts. Team leaders Nicholas Moussas and Vassilios Moussas both specialise in complex mediation and arbitration, while also frequently handling civil and commercial law litigation. Maria Malikouti has experience with international arbitral tribunals; Charalampos Kondis primarily focuses on commercial litigation; and Christina Grigoriadou is knowledgeable in investment dispute settlement cases. Georgia Patsoudi and Eirini Kontrafouri are also noted.
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Profile
Work Department
LITIGATION, ARBITRATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION | BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS | PROJECTS AND ENERGY | PUBLIC PROCUREMENT | CORPORATE / COMMERCIAL | INSOLVENCY AND RESTRUCTURING | EU AND COMPETITION LAW
Position
MANAGING PARTNER
Career
Nicholas is the Managing Partner of the Firm. With over 35 years of experience he is one of Greece’s best-known practitioners.
Nicholas is a prominent lawyer and litigator and represents or advises clients such as the Volkswagen Group (VW AG, AUDI AG, SEAT S.A.), Siemens AG, Heinz, Anheuser Busch Inbev, Nielsen companies and the Mytilineos Group in several high-profile transactions or landmark disputes before the higher courts and arbitration tribunals.
Nicholas has been coordinating, as the local lead counsel for VW Group, the defence in diesel emissions litigation cases securing favorable and precedent setting outcomes in a matter with worldwide repercussions.
He has recently added to his track record successful results in energy related disputes, acting on behalf of steel and aluminum industrials as well as natural gas downstream clients; he has also been handling arbitration cases under the ICC and the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules as well as international arbitration cases involving investor-state disputes (BIT disputes).
A recent highlight of Nicholas’ track record is the successful representation of Mytilineos Holdings in a bilateral investment treaty dispute against Serbia under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. The dispute related to an investment in state-owned RTB BOR, one of the largest metallurgical and mining complexes for copper extraction and production on a global basis. Moussas & Partners together with other international law firms represented the Greek conglomerate in this landmark case where the Tribunal ordered Serbia to pay to Mytilineos compensation in the area of US$40 million.
Furthermore, Nicholas holds the position of General Counsel to the Hellenic Deposit and Investment Guarantee Fund since 1997. From this position, he is able to closely follow the legal developments in the banking and capital markets industry and has been a contributor to the reform of the deposit insurance and credit institution resolution legislation in the current economic crisis in cooperation with the representatives of the IMF/EU/ECB. He and the banking team advised an international investment bank as Tender Advisor to a Voluntary Tender Offer launched by the largest Greek bank to acquire all outstanding stock of another major credit institution, in what was described as a banking mega-deal for Greek standards.
Nicholas is included in the Athens Mediation and Arbitration Organization’s (EODID) list of arbitrators and in the exclusive panel of arbitrators of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE), the apposite administrative authority for energy in Greece. See more at: www.rae.gr. Nicholas is also a member of the distinguished Legislative Reform Committee of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). See more at: www.amcham.gr
Nicholas Moussas is cited throughout the years amongst the top commercial and civil litigators in Greece.
ADMISSIONS
Supreme Court of Greece, 1994
Athens Bar Association, 1986
Languages
Greek, English, French and German
Education
Berkeley Law: LL.M. (Study in International Harmonization of Securities Laws), 1988
University of Athens School of Law: LL.B., 1984
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Nikos Moussas is a very prolific and commercial-minded lawyer with a strong background especially in dispute resolution and arbitration. Maria Malikouti, Charalampos Kondis and Christina Grigoriadou are all rising stars.’
‘Nikos Moussas, the managing partner, is an exceptional attorney, who provides extremely good client service - by being responsive, creative and a very good jurist.’
‘Nicholas Moussas is highly experienced in dispute resolution, providing practical and innovative advice under tight deadlines. With extensive expertise in litigation and arbitration, he consistently delivers top-tier performance, backed by excellent market insight and commercially sound guidance. Vassileios Moussas is a seasoned litigator with deep experience in handling complex disputes. He offers consistently excellent advice. Maria Malikouti possesses extensive knowledge of both Greek and international legal systems. She delivers exceptional advice in dispute resolution, effectively aligning her approach with clients' expectations. Georgia Patsoudi is highly diligent and driven, working efficiently across a broad spectrum of dispute resolution matters. She is involved in a vast variety of dispute resolution matters before courts, relevant to a wide range of practice areas. Nicholas Sakkas combines sharp strategic thinking with resourcefulness, alongside an excellent grasp of local law. His up-to-date knowledge of legal developments allows him to navigate a rapidly changing legal framework, making him a valuable asset in dispute resolution matters.’
‘Moussas Law Firm combines legal expertise with a business sense. The team is highly motivated, competent and pragmatic, demonstrating expertise in handling complex civil and corporate litigation. The firm provides on-point advice on Greek law often under very tight timeframes. They also provide solid guidance and options regarding going to Court or not going to Court.’
‘The firm’s commercially minded dispute resolution team demonstrates consistently high-quality performance. Nicholas Moussas is an experienced litigator and a negotiator who has inventive strategic ideas flagging up all the risks and peculiarities of a matter. He is a great strategist who has in depth knowledge of Greek as well as international legal systems. Vassilios Moussas is a distinguished lawyer, has a deep corporate and commercial know-how and a wide-ranging contentious and non-continuous experience. His experience enables him to grasp the core of every matter swiftly. Maria Malikouti is a business-oriented litigator with skills and expertise of the highest level. She has vast practical knowledge in specialized international transactions and disputes. Charalampos Kondis is very professional and knowledgeable. In addition, he has inventive strategic ideas flagging up all the risks and peculiarities of a matter. Nicholas Sakkas has unique legal acumen, is extremely diligent and dedicated. Konstantina Margariti is proactive, focused, hardworking and is always available when needed.'
‘The lawyers in this law firm are business oriented and are able to provide innovative ideas and solutions that may easily be digested by businessmen. Trustworthy and problem solvers. Mr. Nikos Mousas, Mr. Vasilios Mousas and Mrs Maria Malikouti are excellent lawyers providing accurate legal advice in a timely manner.’
‘The team is absolutely stellar in dispute resolution. They constantly provide accurate, sharp and top-level legal advice, having an in-depth knowledge in both litigation and arbitration (both domestic and cross-border).’
‘They have great experience in their field and are flexible and eager to provide solutions. Their industry-sector expertise is also unparalleled. The team has inventive strategic ideas flagging up all major risks and peculiarities of a matter.’
Key clients
- Crescent Petroleum and Crescent Gas
- Volkswagen AG
- Audi AG
- SEAT SA
- Frontstage SA
- Kraft Heinz Company (former H.J. Heinz Company)
- Hellenic Halyvourgia SA
- MYTILINEOS (now Metlen Energy & Metals)
- HUGO BOSS AG
Work highlights
Provides twofold advice regarding enforcement of a foreign arbitral award in Greece and secured a temporary restraining order for the conservatory attachment in a multibillion claim.
Advised an airline on a complex cross-border shareholder dispute and on other corporate matters.
Advising and successfully representing VW, AUDI and SEAT in numerous cases brought by Greek vehicle owners before the Greek Courts claiming damages on the basis of violations of consumer protection legislation, European regulations and standards.