John Giannakakis: Empowering Clients with High-Quality Legal Services

John Giannakakis is a leading legal counsel with over three decades of experience. John started his career in Greece and served as a General Counsel in multiple industries and European jurisdictions. Over time, He developed a keen interest in Data Protection and Cybersecurity, which soon became his primary focus, and helped him emerge as one of the most internationally awarded Greek Data Protection Officers. John’s expertise, dedication, and contribution to the industry brought him global recognition and helped him enter the PrivSec 200 List of One Trust with top European Privacy and Security Professionals in 2019.

In addition to his massive experience and accomplishments, John’s triple certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) as a Certified Information Privacy Professional for Europe (CIPP/E), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), and Certified GDPR Practitioner showcases his deep understanding of privacy laws, regulations, and best practices in Europe.

John is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US) and a Certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) per ISO 17024:2013, reflecting his proficiency in implementing and managing data protection programs according to international standards. Above all, John is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and plays his part in preventing, detecting, and investigating fraud in various contexts.

A Leading Name

John attributes his success in the legal world to his curiosity and drive to learn new things. This has led him to explore new career paths and acquire expertise in different areas of law, which has helped him stay ahead of the curve while continuously improving his skills.

John’s commitment to client satisfaction is another critical part of his approach. John strives to understand his client’s needs and works diligently to provide effective legal solutions.

In addition, John always embraces an affiliative management style, which fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment. He believes in being an active part of his teams and partners rather than a distant authority figure. By maintaining clear lines of communication, promoting accountability, and assigning well-defined tasks, he ensures that everyone works together cohesively towards common goals.

Taking Challenges Head-on

John identifies several challenges in the legal industry that he believes need to be addressed. Firstly, he believes that the introduction of AI and machine learning presents a significant challenge as it disrupts traditional legal processes, and legal professionals need to adapt to new technologies and ways of working.

Another challenge he recognizes is the shrinking of small and medium-sized law firms, which often struggle to compete with larger firms with more resources, technology, and specialized expertise. Additionally, integrating technology into the day-to-day work of older lawyers can be challenging. Embracing new technologies and leveraging their benefits may require a complete shift in mindset and additional training for more senior lawyers who may need to become more familiar with advanced technology tools and platforms.

Furthermore, the reduction of legal budgets in large corporations is a challenge that impacts the legal industry. Companies often seek to optimize costs, including legal expenses, which can pressure law firms to deliver high-quality services within limited budgets.

An Incredible Professional Journey

“I believe that my efforts have paid off as I had an incredible professional journey with many changes, with wins and failures that taught me that change is a definite part of life and we should embrace it,”– John said when asked if his efforts have paid off.

When looking back at his legacy in the Greek Legal community, John takes pride in his massive contributions, particularly in training and mentoring young colleagues to become privacy professionals and Data Protection Officers.

Moreover, John cherishes the fact that his teams remember him in all the companies he has worked for as “The Coolest Boss.” This highlights his affiliative management style and his positive impact on his teams. Building strong relationships, fostering a collaborative work environment, and being approachable and supportive have been important aspects of his leadership approach.

Presently John is working on the cyberattack on Hellenic Post in 2022. He is also working on his new book on the Internet of Things and Privacy. Furthermore, John has taken on a new role as Off Counsel to NK Law, specifically Kanellopoulos – Zerva & Associates Law Firm, a leading Data Protection Practice Group in Greece.

Future

In the future, John aspires to complete his fourth novel,  “Confessions of an ethical hacker,” a cyberthriller he is currently working on. Apart from his literary ambition, John also expresses his desire to return to his favorite European City, Valencia.