Vasileios Karatzias

Senior International Legal Counsel specializing in Public International Law, Privileges & Immunities, and Institutional Governance, with over 20 years of experience advising multinational organizations on diverse legal matters, including international, institutional, treaty, human rights, humanitarian, and operational law. Expertise in leading corporate legal affairs ensures compliance with international treaties while negotiating complex agreements that align with organizational objectives. Proven track record in managing legal risks and guiding cross-functional legal teams to develop effective governance frameworks in high-stakes environments. Recognized for exceptional knowledge in international agreements, procurement law, privileges and immunities, and legal diplomacy at the highest levels.

• BOOKS
• The Handbook on the Laws of Armed Conflict, Karatzias/Zalidis/Lioutas, Sakkoulas, 2022
• THESES
• La problématique de l’application des droits de l’homme aux membres des forces armées en France et en Grèce dans le cadre de la Convention Européenne des Droits de l’Homme, Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV Faculté de Droit, MASTER II Droit Public Specialise, Bordeaux 2012 (dissertation)
• The relation between corporate governance and risk management during the 2008 financial crisis. The case of financial institutions, Hellenic Open University, MBA, Patra, March 2011 (dissertation)
• JOURNAL PAPERS
• The Status of International Military Headquarters under the scope of NATO SOFA (2019), published in NATO Legal Matters Magazine issue 3
• Operating under Art. 5 of the Washington Treaty (2018), presented during the ACO 2018 Legal Advisors Conference, published in the NRDC-GR Herald Magazine (issue 5)
• The role of Legal Advisor in NATO (in Greek) (2017), presented during the 1st Hellenic Legal Advisors Conference, Athens and published in the conference proceedings by the Hellenic National Defense General Staff
• The role of Legal Advisor in Operational Planning Process (2014), presented in the NRDC-GR 2014 Legal Conference, published in the NRDC-GR Herald Magazine (issue 3)
• TEACHING MATERIALS
• Scenario and Exercise material (students and instructors’ book) as part of the NATO Operations Law Course (scholarly work)
• Legal aspects in the Targeting Process (2019), NATO School Oberammergau, Teaching Material as part of the NATO Operations Law Course Student Handout (scholarly work)
• Legal Aspects in Border Security (2017), Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre, Teaching material as part of the Border Security Course (scholarly work)
• CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
• Protection of civilians in times of armed conflicts: a NATO perspective (2020), NRDC-GR Protection of Civilians Seminar, Feb 2020
• A legal response to security threats coming from NATO’s southern flank (2017), ACO Legal Advisors Conference, Ronda, Spain
• Direct Participation of civilians in cyber hostilities in times of armed conflict (2016), presented at the NRDC-GR Legal Seminar
• NATO’s Legal Architecture and Host Nation Support Agreements (2016), presented at the NRDC-GR Host Nation Support Seminar
• The interoperability between International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law in times of armed conflicts (2015), NRDC-GR 2015 Legal Conference
• Conflict classification in Ukraine: Legal analysis of Russian actions in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine (2015), presented at the NRDC-GR Ukraine Seminar

• International Legal Expertise
• Extensive experience in public international law, including the law of international organizations, privileges and immunities, and host nation agreements. Proven track record in interpreting and applying complex legal instruments, with a focus on treaties, multilateral agreements, and institutional governance.
• Treaty Implementation & Legal Advisory
• Skilled in advising on the implementation of international treaties and agreements, including those related to privileges and immunities. Expertise in preparing legal guidance materials, coordinating treaty adherence processes, and ensuring compliance with international law standards.
• Multilateral Negotiation & Legal Diplomacy
• Demonstrated success in negotiating multilateral agreements with complex provisions, including treaties with host nations and international organizations. Adept at achieving consensus and compromise among diverse international stakeholders, including during high-level diplomatic conferences.
• Institutional Governance & Legal Frameworks
• Expertise in institutional governance, including drafting and reviewing organizational policies, statutes, and procedural rules. Experience in the legal governance of international organizations, with a focus on aligning domestic and international legal frameworks to enhance operational efficiency.
• Strategic Legal Risk Management
• Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks, ensuring compliance with international law and organizational mandates. Skilled at providing high-level strategic advice to senior decision-makers on risk-related matters in international settings.
• Leadership & Team Coordination
• Strong leadership in managing cross-functional legal teams in high-pressure, multinational environments. Expertise in project management, delegating tasks effectively, and mentoring legal professionals to achieve organizational goals. Demonstrated experience in leading complex legal initiatives involving intergovernmental coordination.
• Effective Communication & Representation
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, particularly in an international, multicultural context. Proficient in preparing and delivering legal briefs, reports, and guidance materials. Experienced in representing organizations at international legal forums, ensuring legal accuracy and compliance in diplomatic engagements.
• International Humanitarian & Operational Law
• In-depth knowledge of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the laws of armed conflict. Experience in advising on operational law and providing legal counsel in military and humanitarian operations, ensuring compliance with IHL in high-stakes environments.

• 7.1 NATO School Oberammergau, Since 2018
• Exercise Leader, NATO Operations Law Course (Resident and Distance Learning). Lead complex legal exercises and simulations on operational law, international humanitarian law (IHL), and the legal aspects of military operations. Provide strategic guidance on multinational legal coordination and treaty compliance within NATO operations.
• Instructor on Legal Aspects in the Targeting Process & Legal Matters in Planning Military Operations. Delivered lectures and guided training on the legal framework for targeting decisions in military operations, including rules of engagement (RoE), humanitarian law, and legal oversight during multinational planning processes.
• 7.2 College of Europe / CSDP High-Level Course – Guest Lecturer, 2016–2019
• Delivered lectures on EU operational planning and the legal framework for Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations. Contributed to bridging operational law and EU legal doctrines in the context of external action, focusing on legal compliance in multilateral defense and security operations and the implementation of EU Rules of Engagement (RoE).
• 7.3 Hellenic Supreme Joint War College, 2015–2020
• Instructor on Legal Matters in Military Operations, Conduct of Hostilities, and Use of Force at the EU Common Security and Defense Policy Operations Planning Course.
• Developed and delivered comprehensive training on international law and the law of armed conflict (LOAC), with a focus on EU defense operations. Ensured compliance with EU legal frameworks in military strategy and hostilities.
• 7.4 Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre, Kristoni, Greece | 2014–2022
• Course Designer, Organizer, and Instructor – International Humanitarian Law Course. Designed and delivered a comprehensive International Humanitarian Law (IHL) curriculum, focusing on Jus ad Bellum (justification for war) and Jus in Bello (law governing conduct during war), armed conflict law, and refugee law in peace support operations.
• Instructor on Legal Aspects of Information Operations, Peace Support Operations, and Borders Security and Refugee Law
• Provided expert instruction on the legal frameworks for peacekeeping operations, information warfare, and cross-border legal challenges, with a focus on legal compliance and human rights in conflict zones.
• 7.5 Hellenic Air Force (HAF), 2014–2021
• Instructor on Legal Aspects in Targeting at HAF’s Targeting Course for fighter pilots. Led training on operational law in targeting decisions, providing critical legal guidance on rules of engagement (RoE) and compliance with international humanitarian law during aerial operations.
• Lecturer on Constitutional, Public, and Administrative Law at the Military Academy for Administrative NCOs. Taught constitutional law and public administration principles to military cadets, emphasizing their application in military governance and national security frameworks

• Managerial Leadership: Over 20 years in various legal positions with extensive experience in managing teams, overseeing legal operations, and ensuring timely and quality delivery of legal services.
• Conference Organization: Successfully organized and managed multiple high-profile legal conferences and seminars, including the NRDC-GR Office of Legal Advisor Conferences and ACO International Legal Conference.
• Leadership Training: Completed Legal Directors Course (2009), Senior Leadership Target Engagement Authority Course (2017), and other relevant training programs.

• President of the Board, Hellenic Friedreich Ataxia Association, Since 2020
• Lead national patient advocacy initiatives and contribute to public health policy for rare diseases, focusing on access to care and treatment for Friedreich Ataxia.
• President, Rare Diseases Greece Association, Since 2021
• Oversee governance, regulatory compliance, and the implementation of national action plans for rare diseases in Greece, aligning with EU frameworks.
• Member, Ethics Committee, European Patients' Forum, May 2024 – Present
• Provide ethical guidance on pharmaceutical policies and clinical trials across Europe, advocating for patient-centered approaches in healthcare.
• Member of the Board of Directors, Euro-ataxia Federation, 2001 – Present
• Manage governance and advocate for patient rights within the European federation focused on hereditary ataxias and rare disease research.

• Expertise in managing secure document handling systems, including NATO’s classified SharePoint-based portals for legal, operational, and sensitive materials.
• Valid COSMOS Secret security clearance (Hellenic National Defense), with extensive experience handling restricted legal documents in high-security environments.
• Proven ability to work with confidential and sensitive legal documents across multinational organizations, ensuring compliance with international security standards.