Stefan Tsakanakis
Counsel
Areas of Focus
- International Trade
- Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
- International Trade Policy
- Anti-Money Laundering
- Antibribery/Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Disputes & Investigations
- National Security
- Customs & Import Controls
- Focuses on EU, UK and Swiss economic sanctions, export controls, customs, trade regulation and compliance, anticorruption and anti-money laundering.
- Advises clients across a broad range of sectors such as energy, technology, aerospace and defense, commodity trading, investment funds and private equity, among others.
Stefan’s practice encompasses a wide spectrum of international trade and regulatory matters. He advises on EU, UK and Swiss trade compliance, supports transactional work, and develops robust compliance frameworks, including drafting and implementing policies and procedures.
Stefan regularly acts as a strategic advisor on complex regulatory issues, helping businesses navigate evolving trade restrictions and mitigate compliance risks.
He assists clients with EU, UK and Swiss sanctions and export control matters, including the design and implementation of internal compliance programs, licensing applications, classifications, transaction screenings, and opinion work. In addition, Stefan advises on customs and import controls, including tariff classifications, customs valuations, and rules of origin assessments.
Stefan also conducts internal investigations, assists with voluntary self-disclosures, and represents companies in negotiations with regulators.
Stefan previously served as a law clerk at the Swiss Federal Administrative Court and worked at the European Commission and Switzerland’s largest bank.
- Counsel to Fortenova Group, a leading food producer and retailer in Southeast Europe, on issues arising from the presence of sanctioned Russian debt and equity holders in its capital structure, including the design and implementation of a restructuring to remove such parties from both the debt and equity structure.
- Provided strategic legal support in structuring a financing and sale involving assets owned by a sanctioned entity, including comprehensive sanctions compliance analysis under UK and Cayman regimes and thorough sanctions and AML/KYC due diligence.
- Conducted internal investigations, including in response to requests from public authorities, whistleblower disclosures, or adverse media reports.
- Advised and represented companies in sanctions delisting proceedings.
- Involved in litigation before various European courts, including the Court of Justice of the European Union.
LanguagesEnglish
German
French
Spanish
English
German
French
Spanish
EducationLL.M., University of Zurich, magna cum laude, 2011
LL.B., University of Geneva, 2008
Ph.D., University of Zurich, magna cum laude, 2014
LL.M., University of Zurich, magna cum laude, 2011
LL.B., University of Geneva, 2008
Ph.D., University of Zurich, magna cum laude, 2014
Bar AdmissionsAvocat au barreau, Switzerland
Registered European Lawyer in England and Wales
Avocat au barreau, Switzerland
Registered European Lawyer in England and Wales
- The Legal 500 UK, Key Lawyer: Trade, WTO Anti-Dumping and Customs, 2026.
