Yannis is a Partner in the M&A practice of Koutalidis Law Firm, advising domestic and international clients on Greek and cross-border M&A transactions, privatisations and strategic investments. He has been involved in some of the most high-profile and complex deals recently undertaken in Greece, with particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. He also advises on concessions and has a strong track record in capital markets transactions.

Yannis was recognised as Cross-Border M&A Lawyer of the Year for Greece in the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2025. He is ranked by leading international legal directories, including Chambers and Partners, IFLR1000 and Legal 500, for his work in Corporate/M&A, projects and privatisations, described as “highly responsive, pragmatic and completely attuned to client needs” and as an “exceptional lawyer providing high quality work and incisive advice".

Academic Background

  • University of Cologne, Law School (LL.M. in Business Law, 2005)

  • University of Cologne, Law School (LL.B (erstes Staatsexamen), 2004)

Languages

  • Greek
  • English
  • German

Professional Memberships

  • Member of the Athens Bar Association

Recognitions

  • Cross-Border M&A Lawyer of the Year – Greece (Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2025)
  • Chambers and Partners – Corporate and Commercial (Greece), Band 4
  • IFLR 1000 – M&A (Greece), Rising Star Partner
  • Legal 500 EMEA - Projects and Privatisations (Greece), Next Generation Partner

Career Highlights

Recent work includes advice to:

  • OPAP S.A. on its business combination with KKCG Group–backed Allwyn International AG;
  • Alpha Bank on the acquisition of Axia Ventures Group Limited;
  • ContourGlobal (a KKR company) on the acquisition of the Greek photovoltaic portfolio of Quest Energy (subsidiary of Quest Holdings);
  • Aegean Baltic Holding, on the acquisition of majority control over the credit institution Aegean Baltic Bank;
  • Ergon Foods in relation to its strategic partnership with Halcyon Equity Partners;
  • ABO Energy on the sale of their Greek RES portfolio of 1.5 GW to HELLENiQ Renewables (subsidiary of HELLENiQ ENERGY);
  • Ideal Holdings on the sale of Astir Vitogiannis to Guala Closures;
  • AviAlliance GmbH (member of PSP Investments Group) in connection with the IPO of Athens International Airport (AIA) on the Athens Stock Exchange and the acquisition of a controlling stake in AIA;
  • Sunlight Group (member of Olympia Group), as well as Olympia Group on the acquisition by Sunlight Group of 100% of Triathlon Holding;
  • Macquarie Asset Management on the acquisition of a 50% stake in Enel Green Power Hellas;
  • The shareholders of Platon School on the sale to International Schools Partnership (iSP);
  • Nexi Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in Alpha Bank’s merchant acquiring business;
  • NN Group on the acquisition of MetLife’s business in Greece;
  • SouthBridge on various investments concluded by its investment funds, including in the companies Biologiko Xorio, WebHotelier and primalRES, as well as the sale of its stake in Skroutz S.A. to CVC Capital Partners and Arivia Group to Upfield;
  • Macquarie Group on the acquisition of a 49% ownership interest in the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO).