Norton Rose introduces chief as part of Athens growth strategy

Norton Rose has appointed its first local managing partner for its Greek operation and is to move into new Athens offices as part of plans to double in size.

Dimitri Sofianopoulos was named Greek managing partner on 3 April, with former managing partner Chris Hobbs moving back to London.

The firm will move lawyers out of Piraeus, bringing the four partners and 30 lawyers under the one Athens roof from mid-July after signing a lease for 2,000sq m of new office space.

The Piraeus office is to be maintained as a representative office for shipping clients.

"Having everyone together will mean that the 34 lawyers will be better managed," Sofianopoulos said. "It will also allow lawyers from different practice areas to work on projects together more easily.

"There's a plan to grow our office to about 60 lawyers. The idea is to beef up what we do and add more corporate finance and banking expertise."

The firm has recently hired two lawyers from Greek firms and anticipates three more in the summer.