Born in 1949 in Athens, George is Senior and Managing Partner at "Ballas, Pelecanos & Associates L.P.C." and Head of the firm's prominent IP, IT & CT practice group.
George read law at the Universities of Athens and Paris and was admitted to practice in Athens in 1972.
His diverse career includes holding the posts of Secretary General at the Hellenic Parliament (1981-1985), Chairman of the Insurance Board of the Public Power Corporation (1985-1987) and Chairman of the Not-for-Profit Association for the Establishment of Libraries (1979-2000). He has also served as General Legal Counsel at Fiat Auto Hellas S.A. (1975-1995), as well as Member of the Board of Directors of the Public Power Corporation (1985-1987) and Fiat Auto Athens S.A (1976-1988). He is also well-known for his work as the Lead Outside Counsel for Greece at Microsoft Corporation and Microsoft Hellas S.A. (1992 - today)
He is a member of the Athens Bar Association, the International Bar Association and the International Trademark Association, an advocate before the Supreme Courts of Greece, as well as a qualified European Patent attorney. In addition to heading the firms litigation practice in complex pharmaceutical patents and anti-counterfeiting cases, he regularly advises clients in developing and managing strategic initiatives for optimizing intellectual assets protection, exploitation and enforcement. He has authored articles and contributed country chapters to a variety of IP, IT & CT publications and has lectured on patent issues.
Languages: Greek, English, French, Italian
Publications & Speaking Engagements
Contribution (Country Chapter) to “Digital Transformation”, GTDT: Market Intelligence, 2020 (co-authored with Th. Konstantakopoulos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to “Artificial Intelligence”, GTDT: Market Intelligence, 2020 (co-authored with Th. Konstantakopoulos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Trademark Litigation: A Global Guide 2017", World Trademark Review, 2017 (co-authored with N. Gregoriades, M. Spanos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to “Comparative Handbook: Robotic Technologies Law” Larcier, 2016 (co-authored with Th. Konstantakopoulos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "The Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Law Review", Law Business Research Ltd, 2015 (co-authored with Th. Konstantakopoulos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Data Protection & Privacy", Getting The Deal Through, 2015 (co-authored with Th. Konstantakopoulos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "International Advertising Law", Globe Business Publishing Ltd., 2014 (co-authored with G. Moukas, N. Gregoriades, M. Spanos, Th. Konstantakopoulos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "International Copyright Law", Globe Business Publishing Ltd., 2013 (co-authored with Th. Konstantakopoulos, M. Spanos, N. Volanis)
Contribution (Country Main IPRs Chapter) to "IP in Business Transactions", Practical Law Company, 2012/13 (co-authored with N. Prentoulis, N. Volanis, M. Spanos)
Contribution (Country Q&A Chapter) to "IP in Business Transactions", Practical Law Company, 2012/13 (co-authored with N. Prentoulis, N. Volanis, M. Spanos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Life Sciences", Practical Law Company, 2012 (co-authored with A. Mavrides, G. Moukas, P. Yiannakis, N. Prentoulis, N. Volanis, C. Stringaris, Th. Konstantakopoulos)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Anti-Counterfeiting 2011 - A Global Guide", World Trademark Review, 2011 (co-authored with G. Moukas, P. Soupionis)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights through Border Measures - Law and Practice in the EU", Oxford University Press, 2011 (co-authored with G. Moukas, N. Prentoulis)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "PLC Cross-border IP in Business Transactions Handbook 2011/12", Practical Law Company Limited, 2011 (co-authored with N. Prentoulis, N. Gregoriades, N. Volanis, Th. Konstantakopoulos, E. Tavlas)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Anti-Counterfeiting 2010 - A Global Guide", World Trademark Review, 2010 (co-authored with G. Moukas, P. Ioakimides)
Presentation "Patents & the Pharmaceutical Industry", AstraZeneca Satellite Symposium, 30th Panhellenic Gastroenterology Conference, 2010
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Getting the Deal Through - Intellectual Property & Antitrust 2010", Law Business Research Ltd, 2010 (co-authored with N. Gregoriades, N. Gerakinis)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "Anti-Counterfeiting 2009 – A Global Guide", World Trademark Review, 2009 (co-authored with G. Moukas, P. Ioakimides)
Contribution (Country Chapter) to "International Patent Litigation: Developing an Effective Strategy", Globe Law and Business, 2009 (co-authored with L. Papas)
