Stathis Potamitis – POTAMITISVEKRIS

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets | Civil & Criminal Litigation and Arbitration | Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions | EU, Competition & Antitrust | Insolvency & Restructuring

Stathis has a broadly based transactional practice with a focus on mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance and insolvent restructurings. He led the effort to revamp insolvency legislation that resulted in the adoption of a new Greek insolvency framework in 2020. Stathis is an INSOL International Fellow, a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a member of the International Insolvency Institute. He is a member of the expert group advising the European Commission on restructuring and insolvency reform in the EU. He is active in pro bono activities with an emphasis on the preservation of cultural heritage and the environment.
“We are proud to be lawyers, working to protect and advance our clients’ interests, applying and continuously improving our expertise and knowledge, with profound respect for the laws and the ethics of our profession.”

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets|Sep 2024

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as Greek legal advisor to Bank of Cyprus Holdings (BOCH)

We are delighted to announce that POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as Greek legal advisor to Bank of Cyprus Holdings (BOCH) in the parallel listing of its shares on the Main Market of the Athens Stock Exchange. BOCH’s listing on ATHEX was combined with its delisting from the London Stock Exchange, while BOCH’s shares remain listed and trade on the Cyprus Stock Exchange. Our team consisted of George Bersis (Managing Partner), Stathis Potamitis (Senior Partner), Elena Theocharakou (Senior Associate) and Katerina Pappa (Junior Associate).

Civil & Criminal Litigation and Arbitration|Oct 2023

POTAMITISVEKRIS successfully represented a domestic company in ICC arbitration proceedings for claims arising out of a Share Purchase Agreement – amounting to approximately €160 million

Our Partners Konstantinos Papadiamantis and Stathis Potamitis together with Senior Associate, Theodora Souma, represented a domestic company in ICC arbitration proceedings for claims arising out of a Share Purchase Agreement, amounting to approximately €160 million. They also assisted the client on settlement negotiations and on the termination of the dispute through the issuance of a consent award.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions | Project Finance & Energy | EU, Competition & Antitrust|Sep 2022

Sale of Depa Infrastructure SA by HRADF and Hellenic Petroleum SA to Italgas

We are delighted to announce that the sale of Depa Infrastructure SA by the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) and Hellenic Petroleum SA to Italgas, one of the leading gas distributors in Italy and the third largest market player in Europe, has been successfully completed. This is a landmark transaction for the Greek energy sector and our economy in general, in a very crucial and sensitive period for the entire European energy market. Maria Perifanou, Senior Associate of our M&A team, with the guidance of our Managing Partner Stathis Potamitis and the assistance of Associate Palmyra Chantzara, successfully led the effort. The team was also valuably assisted by Partner Dimitris Loukas and Associate Kostas Manikas on competition law & regulatory matters, Senior Associate Alexia Tzouni on corporate law matters, and Senior Associate Dimitra Rachouti on energy law matters.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions|Feb 2022

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as legal advisor in a complex corporate transformation in the Telecom sector

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as local advisor of a Greek leading company in the Telecommunications sector, to a complex corporate transformation and specifically, to the partial demerger of the sector of fiber optics and the creation of a new company, that will be an accelerator of investments in new generation networks and will contribute substantially to the shaping of the new digital page of Greece.
The POTAMITISVEKRIS team was led by Partners Alexandros Kortesis and Stathis Potamitis and supported by Senior Associates Alexia Tzouni and Varveri Christina, as well as by Palmyra – Maria Chantzara (Associate) and Olga Bezantakou (Junior Associate).

Civil & Criminal Litigation and Arbitration | Insolvency & Restructuring|Feb 2022

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as the legal advisor of a Greek listed entity in its major cross border restructuring

We are delighted to announce that the Athens Bankruptcy Court ratified the rehabilitation agreement (involving more than €0.5 billion debt) between our client, a widely known listed entity –parent of a multinational group of jewelry and fashion companies– and a group of international creditors. In the context of the restructuring, our team successfully represented the client in the first litigation for the appointment of a special proxy substituting the shareholders in the company’s GA for the approval of the restructuring. POTAMITISVEKRIS’ team was led by Stathis Potamitis, Head of Restructuring & Insolvency, and Konstantinos Papadiamantis, Head of Litigation, supported by Eleana Baya (Senior Associate), Catherine Androulaki (Senior Associate), Konstantinos Rachianiotis (Associate), and Evangelia Natsi (Junior Associate).

|Jan 2022

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as Legal Advisor in a complex corporate transformation in the Telecom sector

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as local advisor of a Greek leading company in the Telecommunications sector, to a complex corporate transformation and specifically, to the partial demerger of the sector of fiber optics and the creation of a new company, that will be an accelerator of investments in new generation networks and will contribute substantially to the shaping of the new digital page of Greece.
The POTAMITISVEKRIS team was led by Partners Alexandros Kortesis and Stathis Potamitis and supported by Senior Associates Alexia Tzouni and Christina Varveri, as well as by Palmyra Chantzara (Associate) and Olga Bezantakou (Junior Associate).

|Jan 2022

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as the legal advisor of a Greek listed entity in its major cross border restructuring

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets|Dec 2021

POTAMITISVEKRIS assisted in the privatisation of a leading gas distribution company in the Greek energy market

We are delighted to announce that last week, the agreement for the sale of the share capital of Depa Infrastructure SA to Italgas S.p.A, one of the leading gas distributors in Italy and the third largest market player in Europe has been signed, marking a significant milestone towards the completion of this landmark privatization in the energy sector.

POTAMITISVEKRIS’ Corporate and M&A team led by Managing Partner Stathis Potamitis and Senior Associate Maria Perifanou, supported by Alexia Tzouni (Senior Associate), Palmyra Chantzara (Associate), as well as by Dimitra Rachouti (Senior Associate) and Kostas Manikas (Associate) led by Dimitris Loukas (Head of our EU, Competition & Antitrust team) assisted the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) throughout this highly demanding tender process, which is now successfully heading towards its completion.

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets|Dec 2021

Public offering of €300m senior sustainability-linked bonds and listing on ATHEX

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as legal advisor to the issuance advisor, joint coordinators and bookrunners for the public offering of €300m senior sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) listed on ATHEX issued by GEK TERNA S.A.

The POTAMITISVEKRIS team was led by Managing Partner, Stathis Potamitis and supported by senior associates: Elena Theocharakou and Eleanna Baya

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions | Project Finance & Energy | EU, Competition & Antitrust|Sep 2021

Privatization in the energy sector

POTAMITISVEKRIS acts as legal advisor in one of the most significant privatizations in the Greek energy market. Stathis Potamitis, Head of our Corporate and M&A team, Dimitrios Loukas Head of our EU, Competition & Antitrust team, and Maria Perifanou, Senior Associate of our Corporate and M&A team, assisted by Palmyra Chantzara (Associate) and Konstantinos Manikas (Associate) as well as by Alexia Tzouni (Senior Associate) and Dimitra Rachouti (Senior Associate), advise the majority shareholder of a leading public gas distribution company in the sale of its shareholding through an international public tender process. The recent announcement of the preferred bidder in the tender process marks a significant milestone towards the successful completion of the privatization.

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets|Apr 2020

Advising on a financing scheme related to COVID-19

Stathis Potamitis and team have been retained by a state-owned financial entity to assist on the documentation, regulatory compliance, and negotiation of a guarantee scheme intended to support new working capital loans by commercial banks to local enterprises

|Feb 2020

Advising on the restructuring of a company post major fraud

Stathis Potamitis and team have been retained to advise a court appointed BoD on the restructuring of a listed entity in agreement with international noteholders; solvency problems emerged after the uncovering of a major fraud against the company.

Insolvency & Restructuring|Jan 2020

Recasting the Bankruptcy Code

Stathis Potamitis and his team engaged in coordinating an ad hoc committee set up to redraft the Greek Bankruptcy Code to create an integrated set of proceedings covering commercial and consumer insolvency and providing both for preventive as well as liquidation solutions.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions | EU, Competition & Antitrust|Mar 2019

Privatization in the energy sector

Stathis Potamitis and Dimitris Loukas are advising the Hellenic Republic Asset Management Fund on the sale of its stake in a leading gas utility company

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions|Oct 2018

Sale of Hotel Business

Stathis Potamitis advised three of the four Greek systemic banks on the sale of a hotel business in satisfaction of claims ancillary to a ratified and implemented restructuring agreement.

Civil & Criminal Litigation and Arbitration|Oct 2018

International ICC Arbitration

Stathis Potamitis and Vicky Psaltis successfully represented a foreign client in an international ICC arbitration arising from an acquisition dispute.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions | EU, Competition & Antitrust|Sep 2018

Telecoms bid

Stathis Potamitis and Dimitris Loukas are advising a major Greek telecommunications company on its bid to acquire another pay-TV and broadband services provider

Insolvency & Restructuring|Jul 2018

Non Binding Bid NPL

Stathis Potamitis also advised a major international fund in their non-binding bid for a secured NPL portfolio.

Insolvency & Restructuring|May 2018

Binding Bid NPL

Stathis Potamitis lead a team of POTAMITISVEKRIS lawyers advising a major international fund in its binding bid for a secured NPL portfolio.

Insolvency & Restructuring|Mar 2018

Leasing Portfolio Structuring

Stathis Potamitis advised on the structuring of the placement of a leasing portfolio by a special liquidator.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions|Mar 2017

Sale of Major Cosmetics Company

Stathis Potamitis and team advised the shareholders of a major Greek cosmetics company in the sale of a majority stake to an international fashion and fragrance firm.

Insolvency & Restructuring|Sep 2016

Supermarket Chain Restructuring

Stathis Potamitis and team represented the four systemic banks in the context of a €525m debt restructuring of a major supermarket chain.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions|Aug 2016

Acquisition of Major Insurance Company

Stathis Potamitis and team advised an international group in the acquisition of a major domestic insurance company with a value of €300m.

Banking, Finance & Capital Markets | Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions|Nov 2014

Alternative Investment Fund Establishment and Support

Stathis Potamitis helped to establish two alternative investment fund structures focused on investments in the local market and provide continuing support to both funds for prospective investments.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions | Insolvency & Restructuring|Oct 2014

Acquisition of Subsidiary

Stathis Potamitis and George Bersis represented the preferred bidders in the acquisition of the Greek subsidiary of a distressed international group in the retail sector.

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions | Civil & Criminal Litigation and Arbitration|Jul 2014

Arbitration Arising from Acquisition Transaction

Stathis Potamitis and Vicky Psaltis acted for an international investor in an ICC arbitration of an acquisition contract dispute. The case led to a settlement following an ad hoc mediation.

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Admissions

Athens Bar, 2000
Thessaloniki, 1992
State of New York, 1987

Languages

Greek
English
French

Education

University of Toronto, Canada MA, 1991
University of Toronto, Canada LLB, 1986
University of Toronto, Canada BA, 1979
University of Paris IV Eleve Titulaire

Chambers Europe 2024 Senior Statespeople

Chambers Global 2025 Senior Statespeople

IFLR1000 2024 Market Leader

The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 Leading Individual

The Legal 500 Hall of Fame 2024 Hall of Fame

Client Choice Award 2015

Best Lawyers International Listed in Best Lawyers International

Lexology Getting The Deal Through National Expert

“Stathis Potamitis has a deep knowledge of insolvency issues, not only with regards to Greek law but also international best practice.”

CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2024

News & Events|Feb 2025

Market-leading position in the Chambers Global 2025 rankings

POTAMITISVEKRIS has once again secured its market-leading position in the Chambers Global 2025 rankings. Covering all the major areas of legal expertise, our top…

News & Events | Articles & Publications|Dec 2024

Lexology Panoramic: Restructuring & Insolvency 2025

Our firm is the exclusive contributor to the Lexology Panoramic: Restructuring & Insolvency 2025, a practical guide that provides readers the opportunity to compare regulatory environments across different jurisdictions.

Stathis Potamitis (Senior Partner) and Konstantinos Rachianiotis (Senior Associate), authored the chapter for Greece, sharing local insights and the latest information on several issues including: types of liquidation and reorganisation processes; insolvency tests and filing requirements; directors’ duties and liabilities; stays of proceedings and moratoria; doing business during reorganisations; asset sales; creditor remedies, verification of claims and distribution of bankruptcy proceeds; clawback and related-party transactions; cross-border insolvencies; and recent trends.

To access our overview for Greece, please click the link below

News & Events | Articles & Publications|Dec 2024

Chambers Global Practice Guide: Insolvency 2024, Chapter for Greece

We are delighted to be a contributor to the Chambers Global Practice Guide: Insolvency 2024.
Stathis Potamitis (Senior Partner), Vassilis Stergiou (Partner) and Konstantinos Rachianiotis (Senior Associate), authored the Greek chapter, sharing insights, recent developments and valuable information regarding the local legal framework.
Our article provides the latest legal information for Greece on the broad legal framework for insolvencies, the role of creditors, out-of-court and statutory restructuring and insolvency proceedings, cross-border insolvency issues, as well as directors’ duties and liabilities.
To access our overview for Greece, please click the link below

News & Events|Sep 2024

POTAMITISVEKRIS maintains its Top-Tier rankings in IFLR1000’s 2024 Guide

We are proud to announce that IFLR1000 published its rankings with #POTAMITISVEKRIS landing Tier 1 recognition in the three categories of Banking & Finance,…

News & Events|Mar 2024

POTAMITISVEKRIS retains top tier rankings in the EMEA Legal 500 2024, currently holding more Tier 1 rankings than any other firm in Greece

We are proud to report that POTAMITISVEKRIS has achieved the highest number of Tier 1 rankings in the EMEA Legal 500 2024 guide than…

Articles & Publications|Jan 2024

Our firm contributed to the 2024 edition of the Lexology GTDT – Restructuring & Insolvency.

Our firm contributed to the 2024 edition of the Lexology GTDT – Restructuring & Insolvency. Stathis Potamitis and Konstantinos Rachianiotis authored the exclusive Greek chapter, sharing local insights and trends.

The guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory framework regarding the types of liquidation and restructuring proceedings, filing requirements, directors’ liability, avoidance transactions, creditors’ involvement in the proceedings and other important issues.

To access the online version of the guide, please click in the Link:

News & Events|Nov 2023

Our partners Stathis Potamitis & Alexander Metallinos were 2 of the 4 experts that drafted the new Greek Insolvency framework

We celebrate the tremendous recognition granted to the new Greek Insolvency framework (law 4738/2020) by the OECD in its most recent insolvency indicator communication….

Articles & Publications|Dec 2022

POTAMITISVEKRIS contribution to Lexology – Getting the Deal Through: Insolvency & Restructuring 2023 – Greece

by Stathis Potamitis, Konstantinos Rachianiotis

Stathis Potamitis, Senior Partner, and Konstantinos Rachianiotis, Associate co-authored the Greek chapter of “Insolvency & Restructuring 2023” Guide published by Lexology – Getting The Deal Through. The authors provide their insights into Law 4738/2020, which introduced a new integrated insolvency framework that covers preventive tools, in and out-of-court restructuring tools and liquidation proceedings.

To read our contribution, please follow the link and download the Greek chapter of “Insolvency & Restructuring 2023” Lexology – Getting The Deal Through: Link

Reproduced with permission from Law Business Research Ltd. This article was first published in Lexology Getting the Deal Through – Insolvency & Restructuring 2023. For further information please visit the Lexology website.

News & Events|Jan 2022

POTAMITISVEKRIS contributes to Eurofenix, the official quarterly journal of INSOL Europe

After the successful participation of Stathis Potamitis in the INSOL Europe Conference, which was held online last October, INSOL Europe invited Stathis and his…

News & Events|Dec 2021

POTAMITISVEKRIS assisted in the privatisation of a leading gas distribution company in the Greek energy market

We are delighted to announce that last week, the agreement for the sale of the share capital of Depa Infrastructure SA to Italgas S.p.A,…

News & Events|Nov 2021

Panel discussion at NPL Management Summit Greece 2021 led by our Managing Partner, Stathis Potamitis

Our Managing Partner, Stathis Potamitis, participated in the 7th edition of the DDC NPL Management Greece Conference, on Tuesday 05 October 2021.Stathis Potamitis was…

News & Events|Sep 2021

Managing Partner, Stathis Potamitis is speaking at INSOL’s Europe Autumn Online Conference: “Back to the Future”.

We are pleased to announce that POTAMITISVEKRIS will participate in the INSOL Europe Autumn Online Conference on Thursday 7 October. Our Managing Partner, Stathis…

News & Events|Jan 2021

Restructuring & Insolvency 2021, by Lexology Getting The Deal Through

POTAMITISVEKRIS was the exclusive contributor to the Greek chapter “Restructuring & Insolvency 2021” by Lexology Getting The Deal Through.Our Insolvency & Restructuring Practice is…

News & Events|Nov 2020

POTAMITISVEKRIS contributed to the Greece Chapter on the Chambers Insolvency 2020 Global Practice Guide

We are pleased to announce that our Managing Partner, Stathis Potamitis is the author of the Greek chapter of Chambers Insolvency 2020 Global Practice…

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as Greek legal advisor to Bank of Cyprus Holdings (BOCH)

POTAMITISVEKRIS successfully represented a domestic company in ICC arbitration proceedings for claims arising out of a Share Purchase Agreement – amounting to approximately €160 million

Sale of Depa Infrastructure SA by HRADF and Hellenic Petroleum SA to Italgas

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as legal advisor in a complex corporate transformation in the Telecom sector

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as the legal advisor of a Greek listed entity in its major cross border restructuring

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as Legal Advisor in a complex corporate transformation in the Telecom sector

POTAMITISVEKRIS acted as the legal advisor of a Greek listed entity in its major cross border restructuring

POTAMITISVEKRIS assisted in the privatisation of a leading gas distribution company in the Greek energy market

Public offering of €300m senior sustainability-linked bonds and listing on ATHEX

Privatization in the energy sector

Advising on a financing scheme related to COVID-19

Advising on the restructuring of a company post major fraud

Recasting the Bankruptcy Code

Privatization in the energy sector

Sale of Hotel Business

International ICC Arbitration

Telecoms bid

Non Binding Bid NPL

Binding Bid NPL

Leasing Portfolio Structuring

Sale of Major Cosmetics Company

Supermarket Chain Restructuring

Acquisition of Major Insurance Company

Alternative Investment Fund Establishment and Support

Acquisition of Subsidiary

Arbitration Arising from Acquisition Transaction

Admissions

Languages

Education

“Stathis Potamitis has a deep knowledge of insolvency issues, not only with regards to Greek law but also international best practice.”

CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2024

Market-leading position in the Chambers Global 2025 rankings

Lexology Panoramic: Restructuring & Insolvency 2025

Chambers Global Practice Guide: Insolvency 2024, Chapter for Greece

POTAMITISVEKRIS maintains its Top-Tier rankings in IFLR1000’s 2024 Guide

POTAMITISVEKRIS retains top tier rankings in the EMEA Legal 500 2024, currently holding more Tier 1 rankings than any other firm in Greece

Our firm contributed to the 2024 edition of the Lexology GTDT – Restructuring & Insolvency.

Our partners Stathis Potamitis & Alexander Metallinos were 2 of the 4 experts that drafted the new Greek Insolvency framework

POTAMITISVEKRIS contribution to Lexology – Getting the Deal Through: Insolvency & Restructuring 2023 – Greece

POTAMITISVEKRIS contributes to Eurofenix, the official quarterly journal of INSOL Europe

POTAMITISVEKRIS assisted in the privatisation of a leading gas distribution company in the Greek energy market

Panel discussion at NPL Management Summit Greece 2021 led by our Managing Partner, Stathis Potamitis

Managing Partner, Stathis Potamitis is speaking at INSOL’s Europe Autumn Online Conference: “Back to the Future”.

Restructuring & Insolvency 2021, by Lexology Getting The Deal Through

POTAMITISVEKRIS contributed to the Greece Chapter on the Chambers Insolvency 2020 Global Practice Guide

Stathis Potamitis contributed to Chambers and Partners Insolvency 2020 Global Practice Guide

Capital Link Webinar: “The New Greek Insolvency Code”

Newsweek Interview with Managing Partner Stathis Potamitis

Debt Enforcement in Europe and Beyond – EBRD Conference

POTAMITISVEKRIS ranked as Top Tier firm by IFLR1000 2020

“Brain Drain & Gain” KPMG Event

Getting the Deal Through – Restructuring and Insolvency 2019 – Greece Chapter

Ακόμα μια Χαμένη Ευκαιρία: ο Εξωδικαστικός Συμβιβασμός

Getting the Deal Through – Restructuring & Insolvency 2018, Greece Chapter

Η κεφαλαιοποίηση χρέους ως μέτρο για την εξυγίανση επιχειρήσεων και οι μέθοδοι παράκαμψης της βούλησης των μετόχων

POTAMITISVEKRIS recognised in top 100 Restructuring & Insolvency practices worldwide

Insolvency and Directors’ Duties in Greece: Overview

Stathis Potamitis Inducted to American College of Bankruptcy

EBRD Conference

Getting the Deal Through – Restructuring & Insolvency 2016, Greece Chapter

Restructuring and Insolvency in Greece: Overview

ILO Client Choice Awards 2015

International Insolvency: Group Insolvency and Directors’ Duties Global Guide, edited by J. William Boone of James Bates Brannan Groover LLP

Insolvency Law as a Main Pillar of Market Economy – A Critical Assessment of the Greek Insolvency Law

Best Lawyers Award

Getting the Deal Through – Restructuring & Insolvency 2014, Greece Chapter

Εναρμόνιση Της Απαλλαγής Απo Χρέη Στην Ευρώπη; Η Ομάδα Εργασίας Του Δεύτερου Ευρωπαϊκού Συνέδριου Για Την Πτώχευση Και Αναδιοργάνωση

Παραγωγικά Μέσα Στην Παγίδα Της Υπερχρέωσης

Legal Forms in Major Jurisdictions, Second Edition, 2013, Greece Chapter

Inside Story from Greece

A Minimum Standard for Debt Discharge in Europe?

Corporate International Magazine Award

Να Δοθεί ή Όχι Αμνηστία για τις Καταθέσεις του Εξωτερικού;

Getting the Deal Through – Restructuring & Insolvency 2013, Greece Chapter

AEDBF Conference, Athens on Bank Restructuring and Bank Recapitalisation

TedxAcademy Presentation

Quasi-insolvency Proceedings for Non-merchant Individuals

A New Pre Bankruptcy Procedure for Greece

The Greek Crisis: A Restructuring Engagement Writ Large

Rehabilitation: A New Restructuring Proceeding for Greece, Global Insolvency & Restructuring Review 2012/13