Mr. Gianakakis holds a Ph.D. in Sector of Law of Business and Labor Law, from Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School with specialization, in International Trade Law, Business Law, and International Law of the Sea, International Legal Problems and Investment Law in Natural Resources. He also, graduated first of his class, from the Law School of Democritus University of Thrace.

He is an attorney at-Law practicing, in the fields of Shipping Law, Commercial Law, Business Law, Real Estate and Franchising. He is the general manager of the Greek Franchise Association, the legal counsel of the Greek Franchise Association and the vice-secretary for the Legal Matters of the World Franchise Counsel. He was a teaching assistant of Prof. Louis Shon at Harvard Law School in the field of the Law of the Sea. He was a part-time lecturer at Istanbul Aydin University, for five years, teaching Business Law, International Trade Law and International Public Law. He is a part-time lecturer for Greek Colleges (BCA, CMA) teaching Shipping and Business Law. He has authored and published various studies and has a constant presence, writing articles in the daily financial press on franchising issues as well as in specialized magazines on franchising. He has repeatedly participated as a speaker and delegate in international and Greek conferences and workshops on franchising and e-commerce.