I’m directly involved in all projects, taking charge on key matters, providing legal advice, negotiating contracts, and ensuring our team delivers high-quality work. I maintain an open-door policy, supporting team members as they develop independence and grow professionally. I also ensure we all stay updated on essential laws and regulations, organizing ongoing education and training programs.

A key part of my role involves expanding our client base, nurturing existing relationships, and attending networking events. Collaborating with my co-partners, I help shape the firm’s strategic direction, focusing on hiring, training, and evaluating associates for growth opportunities. Being a partner at P&P is both challenging and rewarding, requiring a balance of legal acumen, business insight, and strong leadership.

"Dedication helps overcome distractions and setbacks, but it's equally important to embrace change and be willing to pivot when necessary"

The journey of a business leader is filled with challenges. Could you shed light on the key obstacles you face in your current role, & how do you address them?

Challenges are both common and unique. Each requires a distinct combination of legal knowledge, strategic insight, and personal skills. One of the primary challenges is developing and effectively communicating a precise strategy for each new project. This involves thoroughly reviewing all aspects and foreseeing potential elusive issues, which can be particularly difficult in complex, lengthy transactions and finding viable and solid solutions. Additionally, navigating a project during a crisis, demanding phase, or unforeseen problem is equally compelling. Managing intricate regulatory frameworks across various business sectors and sometimes multiple jurisdictions presents another layer of difficulty, as even minor oversights can lead to significant legal and financial consequences.

Another aspect of daily challenges involves maintaining personal relationships with clients and stakeholders. It’s crucial to manage client expectations, ensuring they grasp the complexities of the deal while providing timely and clear results. Additionally, recognizing that client expectations may evolve necessitates delivering products and services that consistently offer real value. Balancing the diverse expectations of all parties involved demands transparent and constant communication, alignment of interests, and trust-building, coupled with effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Successfully juggling these demands while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture is essential for transaction success.

What do you consider to be the most significant achievements in your professional journey, & what is your 'success mantra' as a leader?

One of my most significant achievements has been becoming a Partner and Head of the Corporate and M&A team at P&P, and earning recognition from my colleagues as well as various international and EU legal associations and directories as one of the top practitioners in this field. Notably, I have been ranked as a 'Recommended Lawyer' by the Legal 500 EMEA since 2016, recognized as a 'Notable Practitioner' by the IFLR 1000 since 2019, and selected as one of the world’s leading practitioners in Hospitality by Lexology’s Who’s Who Legal for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

However, mere recognition wouldn’t hold much value without my daily engagement in challenging deals and innovative solutions, building relationships with fascinating individuals, and finding a successful balance between professional achievements and personal fulfillment and happiness.

My personal mantra is to 'Stay committed but stay adaptable!'. I believe that dedication helps overcome distractions and setbacks, but it's equally important to embrace change and be willing to pivot when necessary.

How important is it for business leaders to be aware of current industry trends & evolving regulations? What steps do you take to stay aligned with evolving industry trends & requirements?

For business leaders, especially those in the legal field as transactional lawyers, staying informed about current industry trends and evolving regulations is vital. Being proactive in our advice enables us to position our firm as a trusted advisor rather than a reactive service provider. Recognizing shifts in market demands also enhances strategic decision-making and drives innovation within the firm. Ultimately, by remaining attuned to the evolving landscape, we can cultivate a culture of agility and resilience, setting our firm up for long-term success.

To align with these trends and regulations, we prioritize continuous education through workshops, seminars, and conferences. Regular market and legal research, including reviewing specialized legal publications and business news, helps us identify emerging trends and shifts in client needs. Soliciting client feedback through discussions provides valuable insights into their expectations. Finally, fostering a learning culture within the firm encourages knowledge sharing, while establishing alerts for regulatory changes ensures we can quickly adapt our strategies to meet new challenges.

EVI Tsilou, Partner & Head Of Corporate & M&A, Papapolitis & Papapolitis

Evi Tsilou is a Partner and Head of Corporate and M&A at Papapolitis & Papapolitis. With extensive experience in transactional law, she is recognized for her expertise and leadership in the field, actively contributing to strategic decision-making and fostering strong client relationships within a dynamic legal environment.