Meet the Attorneys

"As a Greek-American, I remember that my own parents and family members struggled and hopelessly traveled back and forth across the Atlantic to handle their Greek legal matters. I know that many Greek Americans feel helpless in trying to safeguard their Greek legal real estate and inheritance rights. I have formed The Greek Law Group to put an end to such problems."

George Kounoupis
  George Kounoupis

GEORGE S. KOUNOUPIS,  Founding Partner

Mr. Kounoupis graduated from Lehigh University (B.A.) (high honors in International Relations and Economics); Temple University School of Law (J.D.) (top 12% of class; International Moot Court award; Deans List); Athens University School of Law (Law Degree).  He is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars; and the Federal Courts of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Appellate Court for the Third Circuit; the Federal Court for the District of NJ; the U.S. Court of International Trade, as well as having been a licensed Member of the Athens, Greece Bar.  Mr. Kounoupis became a Greek licensed lawyer after first becoming a U.S. lawyer, over 19 years ago, with the specific goal and aim of forming the best law firm in the world for U.S.-Greek legal matters.

Recognized as the premier U.S.-Greek law attorney in the nation, Mr. Kounoupis is one of only a handful of attorneys in the world who have previously been admitted to practice law in both United States and Greece.  Mr. Kounoupis was the first U.S. lawyer to be admitted to the Greek bar by passing successful examinations in Greece.  He has been selected as a SUPER LAWYER by his peers as published in Philadelphia Magazine, recognizing him as one of the top %5 of lawyers in international law. Mr. Kounoupis has also been selected as a member of the "Million Dollar Advocates Forum". (Membership is limited to attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills). Mr. Kounoupis is the author of the Section on Greece in the Bureau of National Affairs', International Labor Law Treatise. Mr. Kounoupis has acted as counsel and advisor to numerous United States and Greek multi-national corporations and businesses and has been general counsel to public and international companies. He was general counsel to a large, public, internet company (NASDAQ) and had a widely published lawsuit on internet, high-tech and software issues. He is a member of several international legal committees and organizations and is also a frequent lecturer and author on international business transactions and United States/Greek legal issues.

Mr. Kounoupis has acted as general legal counsel to the premier and largest Greek American organizations and committees (including the Hellenic American National Council and the Premier Greek trade shows, newspapers and Chambers of Commerce). In 1997 Mr. Kounoupis was honored by the American Hellenic Lawyers Association for his "outstanding record of professional achievement in the practice of law". He has served as Advisor on International Trade matters to the Pennsylvania Department of State. After practicing securities, corporate and commercial law with one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious corporate law firms in Philadelphia (Fox, Rothschild)  Mr. Kounoupis founded the Greek Law Group to ensure that U.S. clients received competent and ethical representation in Greek legal matters. Mr. Kounoupis has published "The Legal Guide for Greek-Americans"; and "The Guide to Doing Business in the U.S. for Greek Companies" and numerous publications on Greek and International law.

Mr. Kounoupis has been quoted on international and business law matters in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, C-Span, The New York Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer.  Mr. Kounoupis is also a nationally recognized federal civil rights and employment lawyer who has negotiated hundreds of employment, distributorship CEO and executive national and international agreements and employment and business matters.  He also acts as solicitor to municipalities and is attorney for several police departments and police unions. He also is National Co-Chair of the National Employment Association's National Origin Discrimination Committee; is National Co-Chair of the American Bar Association's ERR, Statutory Rights Sub-Committee; as well as Co-Chair of the Northampton County, Pennsylvania Labor and Employment Law Committee as well as solicitor to municipalities, unions and government organizations such as the Bethlehem City Fraternal Order of Police, the Teamster's Union, the Spanish Council, Anoopam, Indian Mission as well as numerous other Greek and non-Greek organizations and businesses. Lecturer: “Trade and Investment Opportunities in Greece", Lehigh University International Trade Development Program; Co-Chairman “Doing Business in Greece, EEC 1992” IBF, 1990; legal counsel, Hellenic Restructuring Development Group; President, Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce; former counsel, Hellenic American National Council; former legal counsel, Hermes Trade Show; Hellenic News of America, legal counsel; Pan-Laconian Federation, legal counsel. He has also served as legal counsel to ABE International Airport in the U.S.

Mr. Kounoupis has been selected for Who's Who in Practicing Attorneys; Who’s Who in Business and the Professions; Outstanding Men of America, Top Lawyers in America and has been appointed a Chair on a Congressional Business Advisory Council in Pennsylvania.  Mr. Kounoupis also appears regularly on the syndicated television talk show American Law Journal, where he is a regular commentator on legal issues.  He has over 70 published  cases in the U.S. Federal Courts and has lectured over hundreds of times teaching other lawyers and bar associations the law.

In 2008, Mr. Kounoupis was named a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Mr. Kounoupis also serves as an honorary member of the Litigation Counsel of America's International Law Committee.

Mr. Kounoupis was recently involved in a round-table discussion featured in General Counsel Magazine.

 

Lawyers in the Affiliated Athens Law Office of Souriadakis, Frangakis, Skaltsas, Pantelakis

- MANOLIS SOURIADAKIS: (Managing Partner) born Athens, September 21, 1961, admitted, 1989, Athens Bar Association. Admitted before the Supreme Court of Greece. Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma, 1986). Member: Greek League on Human Rights. Languages: Greek, French and English. Practice Areas: Commercial Law, Insurance Law, Intellectual and Industrial Property Law, Patents, Trademarks, Franchises, Franchising, Media and Entertainment Law, Telecommunications Law, Corporate Law, Dispute Resolution.

- NIKOS FRANGAKIS: (Partner) born Athens, September 15, 1945, admitted, 1971, Athens Bar Association. Admitted before the Supreme Court of Greece. Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma, 1968); Cambridge University (Extra-mural Studies on English Law), University of Amsterdam (Amsterdam–Leyden–Columbia Program of American Law). Member of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (since 1998). Head of the Legal Service of the P.R. of Greece to the EC, Brussels, 1986- 1989. Author of many books and articles on European and Greek Law, Editor-in­Chief, "Legal Forum" official monthly Journal of the Athens Bar (1979-2006). Member: European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (Strasbourg); Trans European Policy Studies Association (Brussels); Hellenic Society of International Law and Relations (Treasurer, 1983-1987); Salzburg Seminar; European Lawyers Association; FIDE Greek League on Human Rights (ex President); Greek Centre of European Studies and Research (Director since 1991, President since 2003). Languages: Greek, English, French and Italian. Practice Areas: European Law; Corporate Law; Arbitration; Investments, Administrative Law, Property Law, Tax Law, Human Rights, Dispute Resolution.

- DIONYSIOS SKALTSAS: (Partner): Lechena April 2, 1956; admitted 1981, Athens Bar Association. Admitted before the Supreme Court of Greece. Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma, 1979), University of London (LL.M., 1981). Languages: English, and French. Practice Areas: Dispute Resolution, Civil Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual and Industrial Property, Arbitration, Real Estate, Telecommunications Law, Sports Law.

- ANDREAS PANTELAKIS: born Athens, 1958; admitted 1983, Athens Bar Association. Admitted before the Supreme Court of Greece. Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma, 1981). Member: European Employment Lawyers Association (EELA), Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). Languages Greek, French, English. Practice areas: Corporate Law, Employment Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance, Capital Markets, Real Estate.

- MARIA PACHYGIANNI: (Partner) born Sparta May 8,1955, admitted, 1981 Athens Bar Association. Admitted before the Court of Appeals. Education: University of Thessaloniki Law School. Judge of First Instance Court (1984 - 1999). Re-admitted Athens Bar Association (1999). Languages: Greek, French and English. Practice Areas: Civil Law, Commercial Law and Administrative Law.

- Dr. GEORGE LADOGIANNIS:  (Associate) born Athens, 1975, admitted 1999. Admitted before the Court of Appeals. Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma 1997). University of Tubingen, (LLM 1998) University of Athens (PhD 2005). Languages: German, English. Practice Areas: Banking Law Competition Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Telecommunications Law, Media and Entertainment Law, Dispute Resolution, Administrative Law.

- CHRISTINA VASILOPOULOU:  (Associate) born Athens, November, 19, 1977, Athens Bar Association (2001). Admitted before the Court of Appeals. Education: Aristotle University of Thessalonica, Faculty of Laws (Diploma, 1999); University of Athens, Faculty of Laws (LL.M. in Civil Law, 1999-2000), Oxford University, Lady Margaret Hall, Faculty of Laws (M.Juris in European and Comparative Law, 2001- 2002). Languages: Greek, English, French: (Practice Areas: Civil Law, Commercial Law, Dispute Resolution, Corporate Law, Telqcommunications Law, Real Estate.

- DIOMIDIS PAPACHARALAMPOUS:  (Associate) born Athens, October 31 1978; admitted 2002 Athens Bar Association. Admitted before the Court of Appeals. Education: University of Athens, Faculty of Laws (Diploma, 2000); University of Athens, Faculty of Laws (LL.M. in Civil Law, 2000-2002), King's College London, Faculty of Laws (LL.M. in Corporate and Commercial Law, 2003). Languages: Greek, English, French. Practice Areas: Civil and Corporate Law, International Arbitration, European Law, Competition Law, Intellectual & Industrial Property Law, Dispute Resolution, Public Procurement Law.

- NIKOS GIANNAKOPOULOS:  (Associate) born Athens, 1970, admitted 1998, Athens Bar Association. Admitted before the Court of Appeal, Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma, 1995); University of Heidelberg, (LLM 1997). Languages: Greek, English, German. Practice Areas: Civil Law, Real Estate, Corporate Law, Intellectual and Industrial Property, Law of Contracts, Administrative Law.

- CATHERINE KARANIKOLA:  (Associate) born Athens, 1978, admitted 2005 Athens Bar Association. Lawyer practicing before the Athens Court of First Instance Education: University of Essex (LLB, 2001), University of London, University College London (LL.M. in Banking and Finance). Languages: Greek, English, French, Italian. Areas of practice: Civil law, Corporate law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Finance, Competition Law, Media and Entertainment Law, Real Estate Law.

- CHRISSA MEROPOULOU:  (Associate) born Kavala, June 02 1977; admitted 2003 Athens Bar Association. Admitted 2007 before the Court of Appeals. Education: University of Athens, Faculty of Laws (Diploma, 2001), University of Athens, Faculty of Laws (Diploma in Labor Law and Social Insurance 2005-2006). Languages: Greek, English. Areas of Practice: Dispute Resolution.

- EFTHALIA SARRI: (Associate) born Athens, 1980, admitted 2005 Athens Bar Association. Lawyer practicing before the Athens Court of First Instance. Education: Democritus University of Thrace, Faculty of Law (LLB, 2003), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Corporate and Commercial Law Department (2004 - 2005). Languages: Greek, English, German. Practice Areas: Corporate Law, Capital Markets, Banking Law, Finance.

- DIMOS PAPADIMOS:  (Associate) born Athens, 1981, admitted 2007 Athens Bar Association (2007). Admitted before the Court of first Instance Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma 2005), University of Athens, Faculty of Laws (LL.M. in Labor Law 2005-2006). Languages: English, German. Areas of Practice: Civil law, Corporate Law, Administrative Law, Employment Law.

- MICHALIS SEIRADAKIS:  (Associate) born in Chania, October 25 1978; admitted 2006 Athens Bar Association. Education: LL.B. in Law, University of Athens (Diploma, 2004); LL.M. in Corporate and Commercial Law, University of Athens (2004-2006); LL.M. in International Business Law, King's College of London (2006-2007). Languages: Greek, English, Italian. Practice Areas: Civil Law, Company Law, Corporate & Commercial Law, Competition Law (Unfair & Antitrust), Property Law, Labour Law, International Trade Law, EC State Aid & State Regulation Law, Mergers & Acquisitions.

- STAMATINA VODINA:  (Associate) born Athens, November 7, 1952, admitted, 1976, Athens and Piraeus Court of First Instance. Education: University of Athens Law School (Diploma, 1975), College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium, 1980: Member: Athens Bar Association. Languages: Greek, French and English. Practice Areas: European Law, International Contracts; Administrative Law; Public International Law, Government Relations.

 

Additional Attorneys in Hahalis & Kounoupis, P.C. / Greek Law Group

- VAUGHN TERRINONI, Esq.: (Penn State, BA) (University of Pittsburgh, LLM in Taxation. 30 years  experience as a real estate title agent; 30 years experience in handling complex estates tax matters, including international estate tax and inheritance tax matters.

- NANCY S. SKALANGYA, Esq.:   Ms. Skalangya graduated from Rutgers University, New Brunswick (BA); Temple University School of Law (JD 1988). She was admitted to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Eastern District; Federal 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. She was law clerk to Judge Vincent Cirillo of the Pennsylvania Superior Court. She was the former Director of Employee Studies, Harris Organization, New York, NY. She is on the National Employment Lawyers Association, Sexual Harassment Advisory Panel; and on the ABA, Employment Rights and Responsibilities Subcommittee, Legislative Rights Co-chair. Before joining the firm Ms. Skalangya worked for one of the largest law firms in the Philadelphia area. She is on the Board on the Hanover Elementary School PTA. Ms. Skalangya has over 19 years of experience in employment law cases and in litigating such cases in the State and Federal Courts. Ms. Skalangya is widely recognized as an aggressive and tireless advocate for women's rights, the rights of mothers and gender equality in the workplace.

- DAVID L. DERATZIAN, Esq.:  Mr. Deratzian graduated cum laude, from Potsdam College (BA 1984); Temple University School of Law, cum laude (JD 1987) (top 5% of class); Admitted (PA & NJ Bar 1987); Federal Court of for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Federal Court of for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals; and Federal Court for the District of New Jersey. He is Chairman of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Disability Rights (ADA) Committee and has written numerous publications, including for presentations and seminars at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.

- STEVEN D. CAHN, Esq.:   Mr. Cahn is a graduate of Rutgers College and the Delaware Law School of Widner University. Mr. Cahn served as a Captain and Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps. Hs has been certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney and is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an elite group of lawyers that have been recognized for their zealous and effective representation of their clients. Mr. Cahn has the distinction of having been awarded one of the highest jury verdicts ever in New Jersey, a 15 million dollar judgment after taking on Ford Motor Company. While serving in the Marine Corps, Mr. Cahn gained valuable trial experience representing both the prosecution and the defense, as well as serving as a staff judge advocate. During his time in the Marine Corps, Mr. Cahn tried several noteworthy cases, including United States v. Clyde, a case that involved the death of a young Marine in training which received tremendous national press coverage as well as trying the first sexual harassment case prosecuted by the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps awarded Mr. Cahn the Navy Achievement Medal for his work as trial counsel at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He presently serves as the attorney for the Middlesex County Planning Board and has represented the Piscataway Township Board of Education as well as the Franklin Township Housing Authority. Mr. Cahn also participates in the Police Officer's Defense Protection Plan and has been selected to defend several police civil rights cases. Mr. Cahn primarily practices civil litigation and has spent more then 20 years developing his expertise in employment law and personal injury. He is admitted to practice law in New Jersey as well as before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Military Justice and the United States Supreme Court. He serves as a court-appointed arbitrator for the New Jersey Superior Court and has lectured extensively and been published in the areas of trial advocacy, employment law, personal injury and technology in the courtroom.

The firm is also supported by dedicated U.S. and Greek paralegals and legal assistants who stand ready to assist you and/or provide information on your case on a regular and ongoing basis (either in the U.S. or Greece).

FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

A full-service U.S.-Greek Law Group alliance of 6 lawyers in the U.S. and 16 affilliated lawyers in Greece.  Call toll free 1-800-865-2608 or 1-610-865-2608 or e-mail us at hklaw@ptd.net for a free initial consultation on how we can assist you in your Greek legal matters.

 

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