Professor Costas Simitis, former Prime Minister of Greece, passed away on January 5th, 2025, at the age of 88.
For me, his legacy is deeply personal, as my journey as a newly qualified lawyer began in 1975 at the Simitis Law Offices, where he offered me my first professional opportunity as a young associate. It was a formative experience that shaped my approach to the law and the values I carry to this day, whilst sparking in me the love and enthusiasm I have for intellectual property law. And, of course, he also provided me with the ultimate professional opportunity when, a few years later, he ‘designated’ me as one of his two successors at the Simitis Law Offices.
Professor Simitis was, in many ways, ahead of his time—a forward-thinking lawyer who valued precision, collaboration, and professionalism. I feel fortunate to have witnessed this side of him up close, as many know him for his political career but may not also be aware of his achievements as a leading legal professional, especially in the area of Intellectual Property.
His drafting style, concise, to the point, and purposeful, was a masterclass in clarity and effectiveness, aimed at assisting judges in making sound decisions (and providing us with a competitive edge!).
Beyond his expertise in intellectual property law, he was a “quiet force” and one to be reckoned with—a grounded, empathetic, and insightful leader. Moreover, his commitment to true socialism was evident in every facet of his life, from his leadership in politics to his everyday approach as a legal professional. He trusted and supported the young lawyers in his office, including myself, helping us grow into the professionals we aspired to be.
His ability to combine empathy with strategic thinking remains a guiding principle in my work and his realism, empathy, focus, and commitment to any task that was assigned to him left a lasting impact not just on me, but on everyone who worked with him.
It is an honour to carry forward the values he exemplified in my career, as he was truly a lawyer who balanced legal rigour with a profound sense of fairness.
