Investigations & White-Collar Crime (incl. FCPA)

Internal investigations (either private or in context of a formal investigation) raise a number of issues, such as data privacy compliance, observance of employment protection rules, addressing issues of reporting known illegal acts to the authorities etc. Furthermore, they frequently require the acting by a large team of specialized lawyers, able to process large amounts of documents within a short period of time.

Moreover, nowadays, multinational corporates face a much higher risk of being investigated or prosecuted at a national, EU or even international level for allegedly fraudulent or corrupt acts committed in the course of their business activities. These may often relate to alleged violations of AML legislation, national and international anti-corruption statutes, tax legislation and so on.

We firmly believe that mitigating the risk that such investigations may pose for our clients – or even avoiding them altogether through vigilant corporate compliance measures and rigorous internal audit, risk assessment / management – can have tremendous value-adding effects on their businesses.

Koutalidis Law Firm’s team of expert lawyers, experienced in national and cross-border investigations, regularly assists corporate clients from a wide range of industry sectors (including the pharmaceutical and consulting services sectors) in achieving successful outcomes in such large-scale investigations. In particular, our team is able to combine experts on the relevant fields involved (e.g. data privacy, employment, AML, experts from the relevant industry etc) with a large team of lawyers that is available on demand to conduct the investigation. Moreover, we maintain a list of specialized Criminal Law specialists that we can propose to our clients, regarding the Criminal Law aspects of the matter.

Services

We develop, review and test anti-corruption and AML corporate compliance measures in light of Greek Law, as well as major long-arm international statutes (e.g. FCPA, UK bribery act). More specifically our services include the following:

Investigations
Undertaking (internal) investigations even on client-group level in collaboration with our international law firm partners.

Employment law issues
Advising on any Employment Law issues that may affect the extent and / or manner of the investigation, assessing and implementing potential measures against involved employees and associates.

Personal data and redaction of documents
Facilitating the collection and export of personal data in compliance with the applicable Data Protection rules (including exporting to the USA). This includes performing document redaction exercises where this is appropriate. Also setting-up in advance data privacy processes (e.g. proper notifications to employees or other parties) that will facilitate a potential future internal investigation.

Risk assessments
Conducting risk assessments (including reputational and regulatory risks) either on specific issues (e.g. specific transactions) or on a wider level (e.g. assessment of policies and of overall compliance regime).

Transactional due diligence
Assessing our clients’ supply chains and conducting transactional and third-party due diligence.

Compliance
Advising on compliance issues and assisting in preparing and implementing a new or an updated compliance plan.

Dawn raids
Assisting in regard to dawn raids, We can be available on call at any time should the need occur.

Representation of clients in investigations
Representing our clients in anti-corruption investigations and enforcement proceedings in Greece (e.g. before SDOE) or abroad (e.g. before the Fraud Section – FCPA Unit of the US DoJ) in collaboration with our international law firm partners (e.g. by providing Greek Law advise and country-specific risk management inputs in negotiating DPAs and other related instruments).

Disputing of sanctions
Challenging any imposed fines or other penalties (e.g. those provided in art. 45 L. 4557/2018) before the imposing administrative authority (e.g. SDOE) and the Greek civil or administrative courts.

Defending of claims by third parties
Competitors may file suits for claims under various grounds, such as unfair competition. We can undertake the handling of such cases and use our expertise on compliance issues in order to minimize the potential exposure.

Collaboration with criminal law specialists
Collaborating with top tier white-collar criminal defense firms in successfully representing our clients before the Greek criminal courts. in this regard, we already have a meticulously maintained list with proposed experts for every subject.

Communication plans
Assisting clients in developing effective (and legally compliant) communications plans mitigating reputational risks.

Representation of affected parties
We may represent third parties (e.g. competitors, whistleblowers) affected by inappropriate behaviours of a market player.

WHO TO CONTACT

Koutalidis Law Firm Celebrates Top Ranking in Chambers and Partners Global 2024

We are delighted to share that Koutalidis Law Firm has once again been recognized as a top-ranked firm in the prestigious Chambers and Partners Global 2024 rankings. This marks yet another year where our commitment to legal excellence and our dedication to serving our clients at the highest level have→

Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the prestigious Chambers Europe Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and the strong standing we have in the legal market. The ceremony is set to take place on Thursday, 25 April at→

Koutalidis Law Firm’s Website Wins Gold Award for UX/UI Design

We are delighted to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm’s website has won the Gold Award for UX/UI Design in the B2B Website category at the 2023 UX/CX Awards. This prestigious recognition was made possible with the invaluable support and expertise of gnc | web and George Chouliaras, whose contributions were→

K.Protopapa & E.Papoutsi recognized as Women Leaders by IFLR1000

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed female partners have been recognized by IFLR1000 in their 2023 edition, one of the most prestigious legal directories in the world. Katia Protopapa, Partner and Head of our M&A practice along with Effie Papoutsi, Partner of our Banking & Finance→

Koutalidis Law Firm Shines once again in IFLR1000’s 2023 Rankings

We are elated to share that the much-anticipated IFLR1000 rankings for 2023 have been unveiled, and Koutalidis Law Firm has made its mark yet again. Our firm has been honored with a Tier 1 ranking, underscoring our unwavering commitment to providing top-notch legal services. This year’s research by IFLR1000 featured→

Koutalidis Law Firm is listed in the 2nd of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide.

Koutalidis Law Firm is selected and listed in the second edition of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide. The guide refers to some of the key firms engaging with energy and sustainability projects in the EMEA region. As Koutalidis is currently advising on a pipeline of RES projects with a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is Top Ranked once again on Chambers & Partners Europe 2023 rankings

Chambers & Partners Europe rankings have been announced and Koutalidis Law Firm is once again Top Ranked! This achievement demonstrates the commitment, integrity, and service excellence of our team members as we always seek to deliver impeccable legal advice. More specifically our clients mentioned, Banking & Finance: “They have a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards

Koutalidis Law Firm is delighted to be recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards. Judged independently by IFLR’s editorial team, the awards focus exclusively on legal innovation in cross-border transactions that reached a financial close in 2022. The winning deals, law firms and in-house legal teams will be→

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business. More specifically Chambers review states, “Koutalidis is highly sought after by domestic and international lenders for capital markets and financing mandates. The firm regularly advises→

Koutalidis Law Firm Celebrates Top Ranking in Chambers and Partners Global 2024

We are delighted to share that Koutalidis Law Firm has once again been recognized as a top-ranked firm in the prestigious Chambers and Partners Global 2024 rankings. This marks yet another year where our commitment to legal excellence and our dedication to serving our clients at the highest level have→

Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the prestigious Chambers Europe Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and the strong standing we have in the legal market. The ceremony is set to take place on Thursday, 25 April at→

Koutalidis Law Firm’s Website Wins Gold Award for UX/UI Design

We are delighted to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm’s website has won the Gold Award for UX/UI Design in the B2B Website category at the 2023 UX/CX Awards. This prestigious recognition was made possible with the invaluable support and expertise of gnc | web and George Chouliaras, whose contributions were→

K.Protopapa & E.Papoutsi recognized as Women Leaders by IFLR1000

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed female partners have been recognized by IFLR1000 in their 2023 edition, one of the most prestigious legal directories in the world. Katia Protopapa, Partner and Head of our M&A practice along with Effie Papoutsi, Partner of our Banking & Finance→

Koutalidis Law Firm Shines once again in IFLR1000’s 2023 Rankings

We are elated to share that the much-anticipated IFLR1000 rankings for 2023 have been unveiled, and Koutalidis Law Firm has made its mark yet again. Our firm has been honored with a Tier 1 ranking, underscoring our unwavering commitment to providing top-notch legal services. This year’s research by IFLR1000 featured→

Koutalidis Law Firm is listed in the 2nd of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide.

Koutalidis Law Firm is selected and listed in the second edition of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide. The guide refers to some of the key firms engaging with energy and sustainability projects in the EMEA region. As Koutalidis is currently advising on a pipeline of RES projects with a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is Top Ranked once again on Chambers & Partners Europe 2023 rankings

Chambers & Partners Europe rankings have been announced and Koutalidis Law Firm is once again Top Ranked! This achievement demonstrates the commitment, integrity, and service excellence of our team members as we always seek to deliver impeccable legal advice. More specifically our clients mentioned, Banking & Finance: “They have a→

Koutalidis Law Firm is recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards

Koutalidis Law Firm is delighted to be recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards. Judged independently by IFLR’s editorial team, the awards focus exclusively on legal innovation in cross-border transactions that reached a financial close in 2022. The winning deals, law firms and in-house legal teams will be→

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business. More specifically Chambers review states, “Koutalidis is highly sought after by domestic and international lenders for capital markets and financing mandates. The firm regularly advises→

Koutalidis Law Firm Celebrates Top Ranking in Chambers and Partners Global 2024

We are delighted to share that Koutalidis Law Firm has once again been recognized as→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the Chambers Europe Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm has been shortlisted for the prestigious Chambers Europe→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm’s Website Wins Gold Award for UX/UI Design

We are delighted to announce that Koutalidis Law Firm’s website has won the Gold Award→

Read More
K.Protopapa & E.Papoutsi recognized as Women Leaders by IFLR1000

We are proud to announce that two of our esteemed female partners have been recognized→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm Shines once again in IFLR1000’s 2023 Rankings

We are elated to share that the much-anticipated IFLR1000 rankings for 2023 have been unveiled,→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is listed in the 2nd of The Legal 500’s EMEA Green Guide.

Koutalidis Law Firm is selected and listed in the second edition of The Legal 500’s→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is Top Ranked once again on Chambers & Partners Europe 2023 rankings

Chambers & Partners Europe rankings have been announced and Koutalidis Law Firm is once again→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe Awards

Koutalidis Law Firm is delighted to be recognized on IFLR’s shortlist for its 2023 Europe→

Read More
Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in their 2023 Guide

Koutalidis Law Firm is ranked as a Top Firm by Chambers and Partners Global in→

Read More