In a revealing interview with Antonis Sroiter on “First Word” by Protothema.gr, well-known criminal lawyer Alexis Kougias opened up about his long career, major cases, personal challenges, and thoughts on life and the legal profession.
Kougias shared that he has handled over 1,000 homicide cases in his career, with the most significant being the long-standing family dispute between the Angelopoulos family, representing Theodore, Gianna, and Panagiotis Angelopoulos against Konstantinos Angelopoulos and his children. The case spanned 12 years and had international implications due to the family’s global assets. Kougias acknowledged that this case made him wealthy.
He also discussed what he considers his biggest defeats, naming the Roula Pispirigou and Epaminondas Korkoneas cases. In the Korkoneas case, he was troubled by the conviction for an “intentional homicide that didn’t exist.” On the Pispirigou case, Kougias said if she is convicted, he might rethink his career, as he is convinced of her innocence and feels uneasy about the court’s decision. He emphasized that he would never defend a mother guilty of killing her children.
Kougias revealed he avoids certain cases, particularly those involving loans, due to his personal history of financial hardship, and he strongly criticized loan sharks and the practice of banks seizing homes. He also expressed concerns about what he called the “complaint industry” surrounding domestic violence cases, stating that false accusations can destroy lives.
Regarding his financial status, Kougias noted that real wealth comes from hard work, not just one or two high-profile cases, reflecting on his humble beginnings. He shared his view that investing in real estate is a way to see the results of one’s labor.
On politics, Kougias said he never pursued an active political career despite offers, explaining that his passion for fast cars and sports teams would not fit with the image of a politician. While ideologically an “independent, progressive citizen,” he has voted for various parties but never for SYRIZA or Alexis Tsipras.
He also opened up about his personal life, including his divorce from Evie Vatidou, and stated that while the split was difficult, he kept his private life away from the media. He has no plans to remarry, saying his life is “just fine” as it is.
Kougias spoke candidly about his health battle, revealing that he had been diagnosed with cancer but continued working throughout his chemotherapy. “You know you’re going to die,” he said, “but you must live beautifully.”
As for retirement, Kougias declared that he will never stop practicing law and imagines being taken out of the courtroom or engaged in one of his passions. His advice for young lawyers is to work hard, wake up early, and strive for excellence. He expressed his firm stance against private universities, arguing that the ability to write well is essential for a successful legal career.
