Vassilios C. Sioufas is a highly experienced lawyer qualified with both the Cyprus and Piraeus Bar Associations, specializing in civil, commercial, corporate, banking, and shipping law. He is the main founder of V.C. Sioufas & Co LLC, the associated office in Cyprus, and a co-founder of SLS Partners. Vassilios provides comprehensive legal services to multinational corporations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, with a particular focus on corporate law, family office services, and shipping law. He is admitted to practice in civil, administrative, and penal courts in Cyprus and Greece, including the Supreme Court.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law: Advises on corporate structuring, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance for multinational and national companies.
• Family Office Services: Trusted legal advisor for family offices, specializing in wealth management, estate planning, succession, asset protection, and governance of family businesses.
• Shipping Law: In-depth experience advising shipping companies on international maritime law, including charter agreements, shipbuilding contracts, and maritime dispute resolution.
• Corporate governance, structuring, and regulatory compliance for multinational entities.
• Drafting, negotiation, and review of contracts for business transactions and shipping operations.
• General counsel services for families and family offices, ensuring seamless management of their legal and financial matters.

Corporate Law Experience:

• Provides legal guidance on corporate structuring, helping businesses establish efficient governance frameworks and ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations.
• Negotiates and advises on mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures, offering solutions for complex corporate transactions.
• Drafts and reviews corporate agreements, including shareholders’ agreements and board resolutions.
• Advises companies on cross-border operations and international business expansion, ensuring alignment with both local and international regulations.

Family Office Services Experience:

• Acts as the private general counsel for prominent family offices, offering tailored legal advice on wealth preservation, succession planning, and asset management.
• Expertise in setting up family governance frameworks, family charters, and structuring cross-border estates.
• Assists in philanthropic ventures and international investment management for high-net-worth families.

Shipping Law Experience:

• Advises shipping companies on shipbuilding contracts, charter parties, and international shipping finance.
• Handles disputes involving marine insurance, cargo claims, and ship arrests.
• Represents clients in arbitration and litigation proceedings related to shipping disputes.
• Facilitates the establishment and governance of shipping companies, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations.

Professional Experience:

• Main Founder – V.C. Sioufas & Co LLC
  Established the Cyprus office in 2016, focusing on corporate law, family office services, and shipping. Vassilios leads the firm’s operations, providing strategic legal counsel to international and national clients.
• SLS Partners – Co-Founder
  Co-founded SLS Partners, where he continues to offer legal counsel on complex matters related to corporate governance, local and international business operations.
• Legal Counsel for Family Offices and Multinational Clients
  Provides continuous legal support to family offices and corporations, helping manage wealth, investments, and corporate structures while ensuring compliance with international law.

Education:

• Master of Laws (LL.M.) – International and Commercial Law, University of Buckingham, England.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – University of Buckingham, England.

Languages:

• Native Greek speaker, fluent in English.

Affiliations:

• Member of the Cyprus Bar Association.
• Member of the Piraeus Bar Association.
• President of the Board of the Ioannis & Vassiliki Fragakis Charitable Foundation (2023).

Vassiliki Linardou, a co-founding Partner at SLS Partners, brings over three decades of legal expertise. She specializes in commercial and corporate law, including mergers, spin-offs, competition law, trademark law, banking contracts, agency and distribution agreements, consumer law, and food safety regulations. Vassiliki provides comprehensive legal services to commercial enterprises, managing both advisory and litigation matters, with a focus on complex corporate issues and regulatory compliance.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law: Expertise in corporate transformations such as mergers and spin-offs, advising on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and operational legal frameworks.
• Commercial Law: Advises on agency and distribution agreements, trademark protection, and competition law, ensuring businesses meet regulatory standards.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Handles lawsuits, legal remedies, appeals, and annulment applications, particularly concerning corporate regulatory fines and operating licenses.
• Consumer Law & Food Safety Regulations: Advises on compliance with consumer protection laws and food safety regulations, assisting businesses in navigating legal complexities in these fields.
• Banking Contracts & Agreements: Provides legal support on banking contracts, ensuring clarity and compliance with banking regulations.

Corporate Law Experience:

• Advises on corporate transformations, helping businesses restructure efficiently while ensuring legal compliance.
• Manages a wide range of corporate disputes, from planning and environmental law violations to regulatory fines and operating licenses.

Commercial & Litigation Experience:

• Oversees a team of lawyers responsible for drafting lawsuits and legal remedies related to corporate issues, ensuring strategic legal planning in both advisory and litigation matters.
• Extensive experience in competition law, managing corporate disputes, and regulatory challenges faced by commercial enterprises.

Pro Bono Contributions:

• Offered legal expertise to the “Evangelical School” Gymnasium-Lyceum in the intricate case of legacy management for scholarships.
• Provides legal support to public educational institutions and cultural associations focusing on Greek cultural heritage and environmental protection.

Professional Experience:

• Co-founding Partner – SLS Partners
  Provides legal counsel to commercial enterprises across various sectors, managing both litigation and advisory cases. Vassiliki leads the firm’s efforts in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution, while also contributing to pro bono work for public causes.
• Three decades working as an attorney-at-law specializing in corporate law, commercial law, consumer law, banking law and litigation.

Education:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Law.

Languages:

• Greek (Native), English, French.

Affiliations:

• Member of the Athens Bar Association, qualified to appear before all Greek courts.

Dimitra Christidi joined SLS Partners in 2023 as a Corporate Administrator. She plays a central role in managing court cases, coordinating correspondence with stakeholders, translating legal documents, and overseeing client relations.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Court Case Management: Monitors the status of court cases and manages critical deadlines.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinates correspondence with foreign clients, governmental authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Document Translation: Translates legal documents, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
• Client Relations: Manages client interactions, maintaining strong connections and addressing inquiries.

Professional Experience:

• Corporate Administrator – SLS Partners
  Dimitra manages court cases, stakeholder correspondence, and document translation, while overseeing client relations.
• Dimitra brings longstanding experience working in Client Relations and Back-Office Support within the Insurance Sector and in Community Management and Administration for an online Platform.

Education:

• MA in Applied Language Studies (Focus on Computing) – University of Kent.
• BA in English and American Literature and English Language – University of Kent.

Languages:

• Native Greek speaker, fluent in English.

Eva Deligiannidi joined SLS Partners in 2024 as a Corporate Administrator, where she plays a critical role in maintaining the firm’s corporate operations. Her responsibilities include reviewing and editing corporate legal documents, liaising with clients and external collaborators, tracking the firm’s pending corporate matters, and ensuring the maintenance of a coherent and organized filing system.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Document Management: Reviews and edits corporate legal documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Client and External Collaboration: Liaises with clients and external collaborators to manage corporate matters and maintain effective communication.
• Corporate Operations Tracking: Monitors pending corporate issues, ensuring timely resolution and efficient workflow.
• Filing System Management: Maintains a coherent and organized filing system to support the firm’s operations.

Professional Experience:

• Corporate Administrator – SLS Partners
  Oversees the organization and management of corporate operations, including document review, client liaison, and matter tracking.
• Legal internship schemes in law firms and NGOs gaining practical experience in commercial law, intellectual property law, employment law and immigration and asylum law.

Education:

• Master’s Degree in European and Comparative Law – Université Toulouse 1 Capitole & Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
• LL.B. in English and French Law – University of Kent & Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.

Languages:

• Native in French and Greek, fluent in English, with strong command of Italian and Spanish.

Ino Galani is currently completing her legal traineeship at SLS Partners, where she provides valuable support in procedural court matters, drafts corporate documents, and conducts legal research. Her focus is on the firm’s Corporate Law practice area, where she is gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of corporate legal work.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law: Assists in drafting corporate documents, conducting legal research, and supporting procedural court matters related to corporate law.
• Procedural Court Matters: Provides support in managing and preparing for court proceedings, ensuring thorough documentation and procedural accuracy.
• Legal Research: Conducts research on legal issues, supporting the firm’s legal team with detailed analyses and findings.

Education:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Languages:

• Native Greek speaker, fluent in English.

Sofia Sachini is the Head of the Accounting Department at SLS Partners. With a strong background in finance and accounting, Sofia oversees the department’s operations, managing financial records, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Accounting Management: Oversees the firm’s accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial record-keeping and compliance with regulations.
• Financial Analysis: Provides financial insights and analysis to support decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Client Financial Relations: Manages financial interactions with clients and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and effective communication.

Professional Experience:

• Head of Accounting Department – SLS Partners
  Leads the accounting department, handling financial management and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
• Two decades of experience in the banking sector working as account officer and sales account executive for prestigious Greek banks.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Political Science – Panteion University of Social and Political Science, Section: Economic and Regional Development.

Languages:

• Native Greek, fluent in English.

Further information:

• License to practice Economics from the Economic Chamber of Greece.

Maria Sachini is the leading Partner of our Rhodes office. She has been practicing law since 1998 as a member of the Rhodes Bar Association, advancing her career to become a lawyer before the Court of Appeals in 2005, and currently practicing before the Supreme Court. With over two decades of legal experience, Maria handles a wide variety of cases, including family law, corporate law, banking law, hotel industry regulations, and real estate matters. Her extensive background in litigation and advisory services has made her a trusted legal counsel for numerous businesses and individuals.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law: Expertise in handling corporate cases related to loan agreements, business legalization, and regulatory compliance for various industries, particularly the hotel and real estate sectors.
• Real Estate Law: Specializes in property law matters, including cadastral surveys, registration of prenotations, and real estate disputes.
• Banking Law: Collaborates with Alpha Bank (formerly Emporiki Bank of Greece S.A.) on enforcement proceedings, loan agreements, and other financial legal matters.
• Family Law: Provides counsel on family law issues, including divorce, custody, and estate planning.
• Hotel & Business Legalization: Expertise in regulatory compliance and legalization of businesses, particularly within the hotel industry.

Corporate & Banking Law Experience:

• Long-standing collaboration with Emporiki Bank of Greece S.A. (now Alpha Bank), handling enforcement actions, loan agreements, and corporate legalizations.
• Extensive experience in advising companies across various sectors on legal compliance, corporate governance, and contractual matters.

Real Estate & Hotel Industry Experience:

• Handles real estate cadastral surveys, the registration of prenotations, and advises on property acquisitions and disputes.
• Advises hotel businesses on regulatory requirements and legal matters related to business operations and expansions.

Professional Experience:

• Partner – SLS Partners
  Maria provides comprehensive legal services across various sectors, with a particular focus on corporate law, real estate, banking, and the hotel industry. She offers strategic legal counsel in both advisory and litigation matters, representing clients before all levels of Greek courts, including the Supreme Court.
• Two decades of experience working as a self-employed lawyer and partnering with one of the largest banks in Greece.

Education:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Democritus University of Thrace, School of Law.

Languages:

• Native Greek speaker, fluent in English.

Affiliations:

• Member of the Rhodes Bar Association, qualified to appear before all Greek courts, including the Supreme Court.

Magda Chounti has been practicing law since 2007, qualified with the Athens Bar Association, and joined SLS Partners in 2024. With extensive expertise in civil, commercial, corporate, and banking law, she provides legal counsel to multinational corporations, national businesses, legal entities, and individuals. Magda is admitted to practice before civil, administrative, and penal courts in Greece, and brings a wealth of experience from her work in both law and construction firms.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law: Provides expert legal consultancy on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and business transactions, ensuring alignment with both national and EU legislation.
• Banking Law: Manages portfolios on behalf of banks and servicers of receivables, handling claims adjudication, loan agreements, enforcement actions, and e-auctions.
• Commercial & Civil Law: Drafts and negotiates commercial contracts, manages business-related transactions, and offers litigation services in civil and commercial disputes.
• Regulatory Compliance & Corporate Governance: Advises management teams on regulatory issues, and drafts essential corporate documents, including Board minutes, Articles of Association, and General Assembly resolutions.

Corporate & Commercial Law Experience:

• Provides daily legal support to management teams, advising on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and civil and labor law matters.
• Drafts and develops critical corporate documents and manages business transactions, ensuring legal security for corporate clients.

Banking Law Experience:

• Manages large portfolios on behalf of banks, handling mortgage loans, credit agreements, and enforcement actions, including property seizures and e-auctions.
• Experienced in representing clients in complex banking disputes and managing claims adjudication.

Property Law Experience:

• Conducts property title and encumbrance inspections at Land Registry and Cadastral Offices, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance in property transactions.

Professional Experience:

• Associate – SLS Partners
  Provides comprehensive legal services in civil, commercial, corporate, and banking law. Magda represents clients in complex litigation and advisory matters, with a particular focus on civil and commercial law, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. She joined SLS Partners in 2024, bringing extensive legal experience to the firm.
• Over a decade of experience working for law firms, in-house in commercial firms and partnering with one of the largest banks in Greece.

Education:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Languages:

• Native Greek speaker, fluent in English.

Affiliations:

• Member of the Athens Bar Association, qualified to appear before all Greek courts.

Giota Sdrolia is a co-founding partner at SLS Partners. Qualified with the Piraeus Bar Association, Giota specializes in civil, commercial, corporate, banking, and shipping law.

Core Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law: Advises on corporate structuring, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance for multinational and national companies.
• Shipping Law: In-depth experience advising shipping companies on international maritime law, including charter agreements, shipbuilding contracts, and maritime dispute resolution.
• Ship finance transactions acting for owners.
• Real estate transactions.
• Corporate governance, structuring, and regulatory compliance for multinational entities.
• Drafting, negotiation, and review of contracts for business transactions and shipping operations.

Corporate Law Experience:

• Provides legal guidance on corporate structuring, helping businesses establish efficient governance frameworks and ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations.
• Negotiates and advises on mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures, offering solutions for complex corporate transactions.
• Drafts and reviews corporate agreements, including shareholders’ agreements and board resolutions.
• Advises companies on cross-border operations and international business expansion, ensuring alignment with both local and international regulations.

Shipping Law Experience:

• Advises shipping companies on shipbuilding contracts, sale and purchase, charter parties, and international shipping finance.
• Handles disputes involving marine insurance, cargo claims, and ship arrests.
• Represents clients in arbitration and litigation proceedings related to shipping disputes.
• Facilitates the establishment and governance of shipping companies, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations.
• Ship finance transactions acting for owners.

Education:

• Master of Laws (LL.M.) – International Trade Law, University of Essex, England.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – University of Essex, England.

Languages:

• Native Greek speaker, fluent in English.

Affiliations:

• Member of the Piraeus Bar Association.