Stephenson Harwood LLP

Managing Partner: Dora Mace-Kokota

Head of Greece Maritime Finance: Chris Vartzis

Partners in the Greece Office: Georgia Asimakopoulos, Nigel Bowen-Morris, Paul Katsouris, Andreas Papachristodoulou, Vanessa Tzoannos

Number of Partners: 6

Number of Other Fee-earners: Approximately 8-10

International Offices: 8 (including London, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, and Shanghai)

Firm Overview

Stephenson Harwood’s Greek office, located in Athens and previously based in Piraeus for over three decades, plays a central role in the firm’s global maritime and finance practice. Led by a team of six partners and supported by a strong group of associates, the office offers clients a sophisticated blend of international reach and local knowledge. Known for its deep roots in the shipping sector, the team continues to evolve and broaden its services to meet the complex demands of clients operating in finance, trade, insurance, real estate, and corporate sectors.

The office is well regarded for delivering legal services with accuracy and commercial pragmatism. Many of the lawyers are dual-qualified, able to advise under Greek law as well as English and offshore jurisdictions such as the Marshall Islands and Liberia. This versatility allows the team to act seamlessly on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes.

Main Areas of Practice

The Greece office maintains a leading position in maritime, trade, and offshore finance. The team advises on a wide spectrum of transactions involving vessel acquisitions, construction financing, sale and leaseback structures, syndicated loan facilities, and secured asset financing. Clients include leading international banks, shipowners, charterers, and leasing companies. The team’s understanding of the maritime sector and financial instruments enables them to provide comprehensive support from deal structuring through execution.

The office also has a well-developed disputes and litigation practice. This includes handling contentious matters in shipping, trade, insurance, and corporate law. The team regularly acts in cross-border disputes, enforcement actions, and arbitration proceedings, particularly those governed by Greek, English, and offshore legal frameworks. Clients benefit from strategic and outcome-focused litigation support that balances legal precision with commercial awareness.

The corporate and real estate practice provides counsel on a wide range of commercial matters, including mergers and acquisitions, project financing, asset sales, and real estate transactions. The team is involved in structuring investments, preparing and negotiating transactional documentation, and advising on compliance with Greek regulatory frameworks. These services are often delivered in collaboration with other Stephenson Harwood offices, enabling clients to execute transactions efficiently across multiple jurisdictions.

Stephenson Harwood’s Athens office continues to serve as a key legal hub in the region. Its integration within the firm’s international network allows it to deliver cohesive, high-quality legal support across borders while maintaining the responsiveness and market insight of a local team. With a business-minded approach and deep sector experience, the Greece team remains a trusted partner for clients navigating complex legal challenges in shipping, finance, and beyond.