This autumn, alongside the official start of the judicial year, Athens is witnessing a high-stakes election for the presidency of the Athens Bar Association (ΔΣΑ), the largest professional body in Greece. With deep ties to the legal and political fabric of the country, this race is more than just internal affairs — it’s about the future of the legal profession itself.
End of an Era: The Departure of Dimitris Vervesos
After serving two consecutive terms, Dimitris Vervesos, the emblematic and often polarizing president of the Athens Bar, is stepping down — not by choice, but by statute. Known for his loud, assertive style and political instincts, Vervesos leaves behind both a legacy and a power vacuum.
And while he won’t appear on the ballot, his influence is far from gone. Many speculate he may enter national politics, but in the meantime, the big question remains: Who will carry the torch — or challenge his legacy?
Meet the Candidates: Lawyers at the Crossroads
Dimitris Anastasopoulos – The Quiet Front-Runner
A seasoned legal figure and Bar council member for 11 years, Anastasopoulos has run for the presidency twice before (2017, 2021). With a liberal profile and political roots in New Democracy, he positions himself as a moderate, forward-thinking candidate. His platform includes:
- Protecting the profession against dilution by new private law schools
- Minimum base fees for legal services
- Digital tools to empower small and medium-sized law firms
- Modernizing the outdated Code of Ethics (untouched since the 1980s)
- A call for respectful, issue-based debate — not political games
“No deals, no backroom promises. Just a vision for a strong, dignified profession.”
Michalis Kalantzakopoulos – The PASOK-Backed Candidate
Currently serving as Vice President of the Bar, Kalantzakopoulos has aligned himself with center-left politics and reportedly enjoys the backing of PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis. His focus is economic:
- Exemption from VAT for incomes under €25,000
- Reduced VAT (14%) on court-related legal services
- Sub-minimum social insurance class for low-income lawyers
- Freeze on rising contributions for three years
Andreas Koutsolambros – The Newcomer With a Track Record
A leading figure among public-sector lawyers, Koutsolambros enters the race for the first time, bringing experience but no prior candidacy. Representing the center-left, he could appeal to those seeking a fresh start with credible depth.
Thanasis Kampagiannis – The Radical Outsider
A former candidate for the European Parliament with the leftist ANTARSYA party and one of the key legal figures in the Golden Dawn trial, Kampagiannis is the strongest voice of the radical left. In the 2021 election, he came in third with 15%, a record-breaking result for the left.
He called it “the rebellion of the bees.”
Big Issues on the Ballot
This is no ordinary election. The legal world is changing — and fast.
- Artificial Intelligence is entering courtrooms and case files
- New private law schools are set to flood the market
- Professional exams may return to the hands of the Ministry of Justice
- Underpaid lawyers, outdated fee structures, and rigid systems hold the field back
- Social media ethics, legal tech, and digitization all demand urgent reforms
As a candidate put it:“The next four years will either protect or dismantle the foundations of our profession.”
The Unknown Factor: Who Will Vervesos Back?
While officially out of the race, Dimitris Vervesos remains a powerful figure. Whispers across legal circles suggest that his endorsement — even informal — could swing votes significantly. As always in legal politics, networks and loyalties matter.Former presidents never really leave. They just change battlegrounds.
Key Dates: Save the Calendar
- First round: November 30 – December 1
- Second round (if needed): December 7 – 8
Only 55% of lawyers voted in the previous election’s first round. That number will need to rise if the profession wants to chart a new course.
Final Word: This Time, It’s Personal
This election isn’t just about who wears the presidential sash — it’s about who defines what it means to be a lawyer in Greece today. The profession stands at a crossroads, squeezed between market realities, political undercurrents, and technological disruption.“A lawyer must question everything, admit nothing, and speak for at least an hour.” — Thomas Jefferson
Seems like he was ahead of his time.
Source: pagenews.gr