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Vassilis Akritidis

Partner

Overview

To maximize trade-related benefits, get customs advice, or ensure robust representation before the European Commission and EU courts in trade and EU matters, clients turn to Vassilis Akritidis and his team for clear advice and dedication to a positive result. Beyond disputes, proactive compliance and proper corporate governance are essential for success. Vassilis organizes compliance training programs for executives to ensure smooth and cost-effective navigation through the complex web of EU and World Trade Organization regulations.

Vassilis has been practicing EU and international trade law in Brussels since 1991. He qualified in Athens as a maritime lawyer and then pursued graduate studies in European law at the Institute of European Studies in Brussels. An internship at the State aid Directorate-General for Competition convinced Vassilis that EU and supranational law are hugely interesting. He started as an EU competition and public procurement lawyer and over the years focused increasingly on international trade and WTO law. Vassilis is regularly quoted by renowned legal directories as an expert in these fields.

Vassilis helps his clients win trade investigations, achieve and improve market access, maximize trade benefits, and be trade-compliant wherever they operate. He advises and represents private clients, professional associations, and governments in trade defense investigations (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, safeguards), customs investigations and litigation, trade sanctions/export controls, and EU anti-fraud investigations led by the European Anti-Fraud Office and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Vassilis also advises on EU State aid and EU internal market and public procurement.

Vassilis has worked for clients active in the steel, chemicals, high-tech, transport, defense and aerospace, automotive, and agriculture/food sectors. He represents clients before the EC and other non-EU trade defense authorities.

Should things get contentious, Vassilis is an experienced litigator, representing parties before EU courts in Luxembourg as well as national customs and administrative tribunals.

Vassilis works with his colleagues at Crowell & Moring International, our global government relations, public policy, and public affairs affiliate, in matters involving EU public policy and lobbying.

Career & Education

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    • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, B.A., law, 1988
    • Institute for European Studies, Brussels, M.A., European Union law, 1991
    • Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, B.A., law, 1988
    • Institute for European Studies, Brussels, M.A., European Union law, 1991
    • Belgium
    • European Court
    • Greece (Athens)
    • Belgium
    • European Court
    • Greece (Athens)
  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • President of the Belgian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce since 2008
    • Served as a non-executive board member in an industrial development bank and manufacturing companies

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • President of the Belgian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce since 2008
    • Served as a non-executive board member in an industrial development bank and manufacturing companies
    • English
    • French
    • Greek
    • English
    • French
    • Greek
According to a client, Vassilis Akritidis is ‘highly experienced and competent in his field, flexible, fully reliable and dedicated to his clients.’

Chambers Global, International Trade/WTO - Europe-wide, 2022

Vassilis's Insights

Client Alert | 11 min read | 03.26.24

The EU Forced Labor Regulation – A Legal Breakdown

On March 13, 2024, the EU legislators reached a provisional agreement on the content of the regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour (“the FL Regulation”). This piece of legislation is part of a series of proposed directives addressing human rights in supply chains which also incorporates recent European ESG efforts (CSRD, CBAM, Regulation against deforestation)....

Representative Matters

  • Represented Cerame-Unie, the European ceramic products’ confederation, in several trade defence complaints before the European Commission and before the European Courts.
  • Represented Viraj Profiles Private Limited, the world’s largest stainless steel long products manufacturer, in about a dozen EU trade defence investigations, national and EU customs disputes, and litigation before the European Courts.
  • Represented Maxim Tubes Pvt., Ltd., India’s largest stainless steel seamless tubes and pipes exporter, in a high-profile OLAF and EPPO investigation on origin, involving 17 EU Member States.
  • Represented a major multinational producing car parts in EU trade defence proceedings.
  • Represented major EU steel mills in US Dept. of Commerce antidumping investigations.
  • Advised a multitude of manufacturers, service providers, financial institutions and transport/logistics operators, including large multinationals, on the application of EU trade sanctions, in particular against the Russian Federation.
  • Advised several European, US and Asian clients on EU export control matters.
  • Represented several companies and natural persons before OLAF and the EPPO.
  • Advising a major multinational on the upcoming EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation.

Vassilis's Insights

Client Alert | 11 min read | 03.26.24

The EU Forced Labor Regulation – A Legal Breakdown

On March 13, 2024, the EU legislators reached a provisional agreement on the content of the regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour (“the FL Regulation”). This piece of legislation is part of a series of proposed directives addressing human rights in supply chains which also incorporates recent European ESG efforts (CSRD, CBAM, Regulation against deforestation)....

Recognition

  • Chambers Global: International Trade/WTO, Band 3, 2009 - Present
  • Chambers Europe: International Trade/WTO, Band 3, 2008 - Present
  • Who’s Who Legal: Trade & Customs, 2022 - Present

Vassilis's Insights

Client Alert | 11 min read | 03.26.24

The EU Forced Labor Regulation – A Legal Breakdown

On March 13, 2024, the EU legislators reached a provisional agreement on the content of the regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour (“the FL Regulation”). This piece of legislation is part of a series of proposed directives addressing human rights in supply chains which also incorporates recent European ESG efforts (CSRD, CBAM, Regulation against deforestation)....

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Vassilis's Insights

Client Alert | 11 min read | 03.26.24

The EU Forced Labor Regulation – A Legal Breakdown

On March 13, 2024, the EU legislators reached a provisional agreement on the content of the regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour (“the FL Regulation”). This piece of legislation is part of a series of proposed directives addressing human rights in supply chains which also incorporates recent European ESG efforts (CSRD, CBAM, Regulation against deforestation)....