Jenny Anastasopoulou: The New-Generation Shipping Legal Counsel Mastering Leadership & Growth

In Greece, it’s often said that the brightest students become either lawyers or doctors, a belief that has shaped generations. For Jenny Anastasopoulou, her journey into law was far from a family inheritance or a traditional path.

Born and raised in Athens in a family rooted in business and entrepreneurship, Jenny carved her own direction, one that merged intellect, empathy, and business acumen into a singular professional identity.

“My business etiquette has been shaped by the ethos and resilience of my family. These I consider my most valuable assets, which always guide me”, says Jenny.

With a high-class educational background and wide-ranging interests in politics, journalism, and psychology, Jenny realized early that the legal profession uniquely blends the persuasive eloquence of a politician, the analytical curiosity of a journalist, and the emotional intelligence of a psychologist.

After graduating from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Law, she moved to London to pursue her Master’s degree in Business and Finance from Westminster University, determined to bridge the worlds of law and finance.

Starting her career in London with Mazars, a leading compliance and audit firm, she later transitioned into the maritime sector, the heart of the Greek economy, by joining Stephenson Harwood, Athens, as a Shipping Finance Associate.

She then advanced to the Assets and Structured Finance team of Watson Farley & Williams, Athens, one of the most respected international law firms in the field.

In 2025, she embraced a new challenge by moving to the client side as Legal Counsel at Delos Navigation, a newly established shipping company. For Jenny, this role is an opportunity to apply her extensive experience in structuring legal frameworks that not only safeguard but also empower the company’s business growth.

Beyond education or experience, a Lawyer's true strength lies in character. Staying focused on your work, maintaining a low yet ambitious profile and surrounding yourself with a strong team, that is a proven recipe for success

Introduce us to Delos Navigation. What responsibilities do you shoulder as its Legal Counsel?

Delos Navigation, established in 2020, is a global provider of maritime shipping services specializing in the transportation of dry bulk commodities. With deep roots in the shipping industry dating back to 1970s, the company covers a wide range of vessels from dry bulk carriers and container ships to crude oil tankers, product carriers, and LNG vessels.

My role within the company focuses on all shipping-related matters, from corporate and financing transactions to sale and purchase deals and KYC. I also provide legal guidance to various teams across the company and support our strategic expansion into new markets.

What are your current focus areas at Delos Navigation?

For an in-house legal counsel, staying updated with industry trends and regulations across all depart­ments is essential, and it’s even more complex in the shipping industry. To provide meaningful support, you need to truly understand the day-to-day realities of ev­ery team.

That starts with consistent market and legal re­search, but most importantly, with open communi­cation within the company. Regular discussions with different teams reveal their specific legal concerns and guide your focus on the specific legal strategy. Collaborating with external experts and staying active in conferences or industry forums also provides an in­dication of global regulatory shifts.

Every lawyer is a risk manager. A strong in-house counsel identifies, mitigates, and prevents risks before they surface, setting up systems that safeguard and protect the company. That is why it is of paramount importance for an in-house legal counsel to be present in the room where the decisions are being drawn up, in order to grasp each project from scratch and shape the legal strategy as a whole accordingly.

Looking back at your journey, which key milestones stand out? What is your ‘success mantra’?

One of the highlights of my journey has been receiving a full-year sponsorship to attend an Executive MBA for Lawyers at Oxford Said Business School, an experience that truly broadened my perspective. It not only enhanced my legal expertise but also reshaped how I view leadership, team management, and client relations.

Professionally, my first deal closing as a shipping lawyer was indeed a milestone. Each successful closing is a reminder that in the advisory side of law, there are no true sides; every party must work together to reach the finish line.

I live by two success mantras: “Work hard in silence and let your success make some noise” and “Teamwork makes the dream work”. Beyond education or experience, a lawyer’s true strength lies in character, in being committed, ambitious, and surrounded by a team built on trust and mutual respect.

How is Greece’s shipping and maritime legal landscape evolving? Which trends will define the industry’s future?

Greek shipping truly stands at the heart of global trade; a dynamic industry that never stops evolving, much like the ships that are always on the move.

The coming years will bring major shifts for the sector, from the transition toward decarbonization and greener maritime practices to the adoption of new technologies, EU environmental regulations, and the restructuring of ship financing models.

Additionally, geopolitical uncertainties and talent shortages continue to test the industry’s resilience. To maintain its global leadership, Greece’s shipping sector must stay agile and ready to adapt to these changing tides.

From a legal standpoint, this evolution makes the years ahead both exciting and demanding. Every new development introduces a fresh set of regulations and frameworks that maritime lawyers must navigate carefully, not only to safeguard their companies but also to help them grow and stay competitive in a rapidly transforming global landscape.

Jenny Anastasopoulou, Legal Counsel, Delos Navigation

Jenny Anastasopoulou is Legal Counsel at Delos Navigation Ltd., a fast-growing Greek shipping company. Born and raised in Athens in an entrepreneurial family, she combines a strong legal foundation with deep business insight. Jenny earned her LLB from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Master’s in Business and Finance from Westminster University, London.