In 2023, South Australian Greek Indigenous lawyer Matthew Karakoulakis was named one of the Most Influential Leading Lawyers in Australia by the Australasian Law Awards. Karakoulakis has also recently been elevated to a black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu—he’s clearly someone you want on your side. The lawyer also hosts his own podcast, ‘Rolling Through Negotiations Podcast, ‘ which examines the essentials of negotiation.
Karakoulakis says Greek and Aboriginal cultures share much, such as “Respect for elders, as well as the significance of extended families, villages, and clans, is common between both cultures.”
“I have many Greek and Aboriginal aunties, and even as an adult and a lawyer, I listen to them, just like when I was a kid.
Karakoulakis returned to Adelaide after a 20-year absence, carving out a legal career in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. It’s hometown, after all.
He says he loves living in Adelaide “because it’s where family is, where I was born and where I grew up. It’s home, and I can connect with family”.
“It’s safe, efficient, productive, and has a good lifestyle here.
“My mum and nan are here, also uncles, aunties, cousins, and community. I’m living on Kaurna Country.
“I am proud of my Greek and Aboriginal heritage; my wife is Brazilian. Adelaide has a positive attitude towards multiculturalism for both Greek and Aboriginal communities.
Karakoulakis founded AMK Law, which focuses on “resolution and commercial law” and specialises in “First Nations businesses.”
Karakoulakis the Flinders University graduate left for Melbourne but his wife, whom he says is “very wise”, decided they moved back to Adelaide in 2020 “just before COVID struck, and a month or two after arriving in Adelaide, Melbourne went into almost two-year lockdown.”
Karakoulakis’ father, the Greek side, is “very passionate about Aboriginal culture”.
His father is Greek, and he met his Aboriginal mother while working in a fashion store in Adelaide. The Aboriginal side of his life was something he began investigating as a teenager. Policies such as removing Indigenous children from their families are one reason for many Indigenous people’s gaps in family histories.
“There was separation, in my family, other Aboriginal families and across Indigenous society through government policies – so I had to find out as I grew up.”
The lawyer has always been involved in Greek culture and says he had a “profound” experience with his father and partner at the Greek Orthodox Church on Anastasi.
“I am proud of both worlds, and there is much similarity between both…so many crossovers.”
His passion for law began at a young age.
“I was ten years old, walking with mum and dad down King William Road, [Adelaide], when I said, ‘Mum, dad, I want to be a lawyer’ I could see how laws impact people’s lives even then.”
“As a lawyer, I have always believed that could make an impact and be a cause for good,” says Karakoulakis.
“I battle to bring out the best outcomes based on law and also navigate the law to bring out the best possible moral outcome.”
The Indigenous Greek legal expert says there can be “a big gap between black fella law and white legal systems” but quickly points to “some real similarity.”
“A careful application of ‘cultural principles can result, he says, in proper outcomes when it comes to Aboriginal boards and requirements for community service.”
While on the one hand, a lack of understanding might be an issue, other times, though, Aboriginal community obligations and Australian law are not entirely different”.
“Just as the legal system has laws governing directors and works within the Corporations Act, Aboriginal leaders act in the best interest of their mob.”
Australia has one of the better legal systems, and a good lawyer’s role is to try and get the best outcome for the right and moral cause operating in the law.
Matthew Karakoulakis believes that morality can be pursued and advanced through the law.
