Andreas Koutsoudakis

Andreas Koutsoudakis is the co-founder and Managing Member of Litigation of KI Legal. He represents and advises businesses in litigation matters involving employment-related issues, shareholder and commercial disputes, governmental investigations and audits, and contractual relationships. In the context of protecting his clients in court, Andreas’ client representation also involves asset protection strategies, corporate clean-up and restructuring, as well as Chapter 11 reorganization plans. His clients count on him to provide reliable preventive general counseling, which includes federal, state and local laws, internal audits and investigations, and handbook/employee policy and compliance with development and implementation. 

His civil rights and employment law defense experience includes the representation of individuals and businesses subject to government audits or investigations by the U.S. Dept. of Labor Wage & Hour Division, the New York State Department of Labor, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Andreas provides quality guidance to these clients, helping them navigate the investigation process from start to conclusion, and defending against such investigations with creative out-of-the-box solutions. 

Andreas has also represented individuals and businesses sued for alleged violations of federal and state civil rights and employment laws, including the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Americans with Disabilities in Employment Act (ADEA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the NYS Human Rights Law and the NYC Human Rights Law. 

He is a skilled litigator, representing individual and business clients in commercial, employment, and civil rights matters in both federal and state courts. Prior to starting his private practice, Andreas was an Associate Attorney in the Litigation Division of Cullen and Dykman LLP, where he represented local and national banks in commercial and residential mortgage foreclosure actions, as well as employment and commercial litigation matters.

Andreas has been named to the Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Stars list for Employment Litigation Defense for the years of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 – an honor awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys in New York. Last year, Andreas, along with KI Legal co-founder Michael Iakovou, were inaugurated into the Greek America Foundation’s 40 under 40 class of 2022 due to his concurrent professional and philanthropic excellence. Furthermore, Andreas is a member of the Hellenic Lawyers Association where he shares his passion for law and the pride of this Hellenic heritage with like-minded legal professionals. 

As a restaurant owner himself, Andreas serves his restaurant clients with a unique perspective, appreciation and understanding of the intricacies of their businesses. From top-tier establishments and quick service restaurants to national and regional chains, as well as single-location businesses, Andreas provides high-quality representation for the full spectrum of restaurant types. With an eye towards efficient and effective representation, his clients trust him with all legal matters they encounter on a day-to-day basis. 

Areas of Practice

• Human Resources Compliance
• Employment Litigation Defense
• Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and Reorganization
• Corporate & Transactional
• Commercial Litigation
• Residential and Commercial Real Estate
• Restaurant Representation
• General Counsel
• Civil Rights and Employment Law Defense
• Corporate Formation & Governance
• Corporate and Commercial Transactions

Education

• St. John’s University School of Law, Queens, New York, LL.M. (Bankruptcy) May 2022
• St. Thomas University Schools & Business, Miami Gardens, FL, J.D./M.B.A. Dec. 2008
• Pace University Lubin School of Business, New York, NY, B.B.A., Jan. 2006

Bar Admissions

• New York
• New Jersey

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court (Southern and Eastern Districts of New York)
• U.S. District Court (District of New Jersey)
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second and Federal Circuits
• United States Supreme Court

Memberships & Affiliations

• Hellenic Lawyers Association, Member
• New York City Hospitality Alliance, Corporate Sponsor & Red Apple Restaurant Member
• The Miami Hospitality Alliance, Co-Founder

Publications & Media Appearances

• Total Food Service, “Koutsoudakis Led Firm, KI Legal, Brings Legacy of Restaurant Industry Experience to Metro NY’s Hospitality Community,” June 2023
• NY Daily News, “Injured Firefighters Plan Suit Against NYC Over Closing Firehouse Before Near-Deadly Blaze,” June 2023
• The Arthur Aidala Power Hour, 6-29-23, June 2023
• WCBS NewsRadio, 1010 WINS, June 2023
• Staten Island Live, “3 FDNY Members Hurt Battling Staten Island Blaze Plan to Sue NYC Over Closed Firehouse,” June 2023
• Law360, “Law360’s 2023 Hospitality Editorial Advisory Board,” May 2023
• Food Service Overview and Current State of the Industry, ESTIATOR, June 2015
• Work/Life Balance for Lawyers: Myth or Reality, The New York County Lawyer, July/Aug. 2012
• What to Expect from a U.S. Department of Labor Investigation, ESTIATOR, Mar. 2012
• Magistrate Judges: A Primer for Young Lawyers, NYSBA, Young Lawyers Section, Electronically in Touch, Feb. 2012
• A Visit from the U.S. Dept. of Labor May Mean Visits from other Dept.’s also, ESTIATOR, Dec. 2011
• Law Update: New York Wage Theft Prevention Act of 2010, ESTIATOR, Feb. 2011
• Lost or Damaged Shipments, and Your Rights, KPHTH, Nov. 2010
• Antitrust More than a Century After Sherman: Why Protecting Competitors Promotes Competition
• Economically Efficient Mergers, 34 U. DAYTON L. REV. 233 (2009)

Awards & Accolades

• SuperLawyers, New York Rising Star, 2013-2016, 2019-2022
• Greek America Foundation, 40 Under 40, 2022

Languages

• Greek (Fluent)
• Spanish (Conversational)