George Th. Costarellos: A Legacy of Litigation and Legal Acumen

Supreme Court Advocate with Over Four Decades of Courtroom Dominance and International Expertise

TL;DR: A highly accomplished attorney with continuous, front-line litigation experience since 1981, admitted to practice before the Hellenic Supreme Court and the Conseil d’État. His career is built on a foundation of elite legal education from Athens University and NYU Law, combined with pioneering work in commercial law and significant international arbitration experience.

Professional Mandate

With a career spanning more than four decades, George Th. Costarellos operates on a simple, non-negotiable principle: applying rigorous legal science to dissect and resolve complex, unprecedented legal challenges. His methodology is defined by surgical precision in case management and an unwavering commitment to achieving a just and logically sound outcome, free from procedural ambiguity or error. This is not about rhetoric; it is about results grounded in law.

Core Expertise & Jurisdictional Authority

Supreme Court & High-Stakes Litigation

Admitted to argue cases before Greece’s highest judicial bodies—the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) and the Council of State (Symvoulio tis Epikrateias)—since 1991. This reflects a career dedicated to handling matters of significant legal precedent and complexity at every level of the Greek judicial system.

Commercial & Civil Law Dominance

A pioneer in the field of commercial and civil debt collection in Greece, establishing robust practices as early as 1983. His expertise encompasses the full spectrum of general litigation, representing clients consistently for over four decades in cases demanding deep strategic insight and relentless courtroom execution.

International & Admiralty Law

His practice possesses a significant international dimension, including:

• U.S. Admiralty Law: Gained direct experience as a law clerk at the Wall Street firm of Poles, Tublin, Patestides & Stratakis, specializing in admiralty litigation, arbitration, ship financing, and maritime mortgages.
• International Litigation: Actively participated in litigation proceedings in Germany and shipping arbitrations in New York.
• Expert Witness: Served as an expert witness on Greek admiralty law during maritime arbitration hearings in New York, demonstrating recognized cross-jurisdictional authority.

Career Foundation & Milestones

George Th. Costarellos began his legal career with a focus on building an unassailable foundation of both academic excellence and practical, high-pressure experience.

He was admitted to the Athens Bar Association in 1981 and has maintained an active, uninterrupted practice since. His early career was significantly shaped by his time in New York (1980), where he was immersed in the demanding environment of Wall Street maritime law. This experience provided him with a unique global perspective and a mastery of complex financial and arbitration-related legal frameworks, including ship auctions under Greek Public Maritime Law.

Academic Credentials & Research

• Master of Comparative Jurisprudence (M.C.J.), 1979

  • New York University (NYU), School of Law
  • Thesis: «Defenses against enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in the U.S.» (1980), a work that presaged a career focused on the complexities of international commercial disputes.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1977

  • University of Athens, School of Law
  • Graduated with the distinction of “Excellent” (Summa Cum Laude equivalent), signaling a commitment to legal mastery from the very beginning.

Key Takeaways

1. Supreme Court Advocate: Admitted to practice before Greece’s highest courts for over 30 years, a testament to his expertise in matters of law and precedent.
2. 40+ Years of Uninterrupted Litigation: A career forged in the courtroom, demonstrating exceptional durability and a deep understanding of judicial mechanics.
3. International Experience: Direct, hands-on experience in U.S. and German litigation and New York-based maritime arbitration.
4. Elite Academic Foundation: Top-tier degrees from both the premier law school in Greece (Athens) and a leading global institution (NYU).
5. Pioneering Legal Work: Established one of the first dedicated practices for commercial debt collection in Greece in the early 1980s.

Professional Engagement

For legal matters requiring deep strategic analysis, uncompromising litigation, and a proven record of success in complex domestic and international cases, direct contact is invited.