Greek Australian lawyer Harry Patsouris has been recognised as one of the most influential lawyers in South Australia according to SA’s largest newspaper, The Advertiser.
The publication surveyed more than a dozen of the city’s most well-known counsel, in both public service and private practice, and the 53-year-old lawyer whose legal practice has been operating in Adelaide’s CBD since 1991 was included in the list of the state’s ‘high flying eagles’.
“It was nice to be included on the list but what’s more important to me is to continue to represent my clients in a way that ensures that they are treated fairly by the law,” Mr Patsouris told Neos Kosmos.
When asked what law means and should mean for the community, the 53-year-old lawyer who graduated from Adelaide University in 1988 and was admitted to the Bar the following year replied simply “fairness”.
In his more than 30 years in the court room, Mr Patsouris has practised in all states and territories but Tasmania. He is less a figure who appears at the bar himself, but more one who sits in the front row while a carefully instructed barrister, normally a Queen’s Counsel, argues using his submissions.
Mr Patsouris is representing accused in the high-profile Operation Ironside arrests and is an instructing solicitor in the upcoming Jason De Ieso murder trial.
“Our role as lawyers is to represent our clients fearlessly even when they may not be the most popular of characters, ensuring that they receive fair treatment by the law.”
While known for his law firm Patsouris and Associates, which he started shortly after graduating, the Greek Australian father of two, is also a prominent member of South Australia’s community serving as trustee of the Foundation for Hellenic Studies and Chairman of St Basil’s Homes (SA), to name a few.
“Our Greek ancestors taught us justice. To them the concept of justice was one of the highest of virtues. It remains so today,” he added.
Mr Patsouris is the son of Anna and reverend father Diogenis Patsouris, who has dedicated more than 50 years of his life to the community.
Arriving in Australia from Greece in 1960 from Smila (a village in the municipality of Olympia, Elis), Father Patsouris was ordained as priest in Sydney and in 1970 he was appointed to Saint George Church, in South Australia where he has been serving the community and parishioners ever since.
Under his leadership, the community has thrived in areas of pastoral care, philanthropy and education and he has been responsible for helping create the first bilingual Greek Orthodox College in SA, Saint George College.