Ioannis Zepos founds his legal practice in Athens
Letter from the executive committee
2023 is a seminal point for our firm, as we are celebrating our 130-year anniversary.
Our long history guides us and provides us with a very specific compass. One that permeates our structure, our way of doing business and our view of the world, including our clients. It is this compass that guides our decisions and work, and which ultimately sets us apart. It is this compass for which we wish to be known, and for which our clients ultimately choose us. We want to build lasting collaborations of which we can be proud. We stay true to our convictions, not afraid to take difficult decisions, and to honour and uphold them. We value our independence because it allows us to give the best possible support to our clients.
Our long history is important, but it is not the pinnacle of our journey. The view ahead is what fuels us to innovate, strive and, ultimately, to thrive.
Our timeline of success
1893
1896
Ioannis Zepos publishes the latest collection of the “Basilika”, the laws of the Byzantine Empire that were the basics of Greek law until the introduction of the Greek Civil Code
1897
Constantinos Yannopoulos is awarded a PhD
1916
Yerassimos Yannopoulos attends Law School
1923
Dimitrios I. Zepos joins his father’s law office
1931-1932
Ioannis Zepos participates in the committee to codify a new Civil Code for Greece
1942-1944
The later Prime Minister Georgios I. Rallis works at the office of Ioannis Zepos
1945
Dimitrios Zepos authors ‘Popular Justice in the free areas of occupied Greece’, that examines the legal system of popular justice that was in prevalent in non-occupied Greece
1947
Dimitrios Zepos is heavily involved in the founding of Hellenic Airways, and later serves as its legal counsel
1955
Constantinos Yannopoulos starts practicing law
1958
John Zepos is admitted to the Athens Bar Association after two years of working with respected law firms in the United States and joins the firm
1959
The office is renamed Zepos & Zepos
1960’s
Constantinos Yannopoulos sets up an office with Pavlos Avrameas and Panagiotis Skoufis
He then works as a tax director of the ESSO Pappas Industrial Complex, today known as Exxon Mobil
Constantinos Yannopoulos serves as a member of the Committee for the Drafting of the Code of Administrative Procedure
1963
Zepos & Zepos represents Ethyl Corporation for the establishment of the country’s second refinery
Dimitrios Zepos serves as the president of the “World Peace through Law” international conference held in Athens
1964
The firm advises American Cement Corporation on the formation of a joint venture with Titan Cement Company for the construction of cement plant near Patras
1970’s
Constantinos Yannopoulos plays a key a role in the modernisation of the Greek legal landscape, particularly focusing on the future of the Greek Constitution following the transition to democracy
1975
Zepos & Zepos moves from its historic offices on 7 Ippokratous street to a new building in Amerikis street
1982
Constantinos Yannopoulos joins forces with Dimitris Kaldis, focusing on legal tax advisory services and legal tax disputes
Yannopoulos is a regular contributor to the “Tax Law Bulletin” the only fortnightly legal-tax journal, awarded by the Academy of Athens, published consecutively for 72 years
1985
Constantinos Yannopoulos with Georgios Rigos and Stefanos Matthias are the driving force behind the movement to introduce the Demotic vernacular to the legal profession
1990’s
The two firms form a strategic alliance in order to provide to their clients comprehensive services. DEPA's Cryogenic (LNG) terminal at Revithoussa was among their first legal projects
1992
The firm is involved in the acquisition of Group Heracles GCC-Halkis Cement by Blue Circle Industries, one of the largest transactions to have ever taken place in Greece
1996
The firm advises on the concession contract for the construction of the Attiki Odos motorway
The firm provides legal support on the privatisation of OTE and with respect to OTE’s initial public offering
The firm acts as counsel to the European Investment Bank with respect to a facility to the Greek State for the co-financing of the new Athens International Airport
2001
The first merger of organised law partnerships in Greece is completed and Zepos & Yannopoulos is created
2003
The firm drafts the law regarding the privatisation of Hellenic Duty Free Shops and participates in the drafting of the law for the restructuring and privatisation of Hellenic Petroleum
2004
The firm supports the contractor on the construction of Attiko Metro and the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games
2007-2017
The firm provides full legal support from conception to implementation and delivery of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center to the Greek State
2019
The executive committee is established
2023
118 lawyers
14 economists and
82 business professionals
The path ahead
Marking 130 years of excellence and innovation, we are committed to continuing to challenge expectations and go on shaping our sector. We believe in growing by supporting our clients progress, aiming to lead change. Looking ahead at an ever-shifting legal industry, our goal remains to create sustainable value for our clients and our community, amplifying our environmental, social and governance footprint.
Annual Report
2022 was another good year following on from our remarkable results in 2021. Our 8% growth, against a backdrop of the war in Ukraine, an energy crisis, high inflation, and disrupted supply chains, makes us feel both proud and humbled. As always, we are grateful to our clients for their trust in us. We are, also, extremely thankful to our growing team of lawyers, economists and range of other professionals who have all played a part in the firm’s success and progress.
