Barcelona annual report
“
firm.”
While some
firms are members
of networks, one
partner argues
that global firms
operating under
a uniform brand
can sometimes
be in a better
position to attract
clients. “There is a lot of idle talk
about networks and clients know
that, a single name firm has an
advantage with big corporations
We are seeing an
increasing amount of
litigation involving our
clients, particularly due to
class actions.
Antonio Herrera
Uría Menéndez
lawyers in other jurisdictions,
this poses risks. “If I choose
the other lawyer, this could be
a problem as I’m forced to be
responsible for the choice of law
”
and banks that use panels, for
example – when a client does not
have a personal connection they
may go to a brand.”
In general, business in
Barcelona is improving, lawyers
say. “Business is getting
better, there are a lot of new
entrepreneurs and new ideas
– foreign investors think it is a
good place,” says one partner.
Another remarks that Spain is
now a “stable country compared
to some of its neighbours in
Europe”.
What are the biggest challenges currently faced by law
firms in Barcelona? involving leaked attorney-client information from law firms.”
Ignasi Costas, partner, RCD – Rousaud Costas Duran
“Among the internal challenges, hiring and retaining the
best talent remains key and, in that respect, Barcelona
offers some competitive advantages to brilliant recently-
graduated students from the top Spanish law schools, but
it is also a less immediate choice sometimes than Madrid.
Externally, law firms will have to adapt to new clients and
demands. In that regard, for example, the approach that
new startups take towards their legal environment is new
and will require adjustments to both the manner in which
law firms think about legal issues and how they deliver their
services. We also see an increasing amount of litigation
involving our clients, particularly due to class actions. This
is already a clear challenge in the financial sector but it
is our expectation that it may expand to other sectors in
the coming months and years. Advising on these matters
requires the ability to provide quick strategic advice. Clients
may however be tempted to see this as routine litigation
work, although these cases may end up having strategic
implications for them. This mismatch results in a clear
challenge when explaining the value proposition to the client
with regard to this type of work.” Antonio Herrera, partner,
Uría Menéndez “Increased competition in the market and the need for
alternative fee arrangements; further requirements for
specialisation in different sectors; providing further value to
clients (for example, legal project management); adapting
to the need for new technology.” Alex Carbonell, partner,
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
“Due to new regulations in the world of compliance, and
the need to adapt our day-to-day business to increase
connectivity, law firms need to get prepared for a much
deeper relationship with clients.” Adolfo Soria, partner, BDO
Abogados y Asesores Tributarios
“Firstly, delivering value for money – firms must make
internal improvements to keep up with technology and to be
able to listen to the client. Secondly, collaboration between
law firms on both international and national matters to
deliver a seamless service. Thirdly, training lawyers to
have a strategic mindset. Fourthly, considering diversity
both in terms of internal policy and with respect to clients.
Fifthly, talent retention – new generations of lawyers are
knocking on the door and their expectations regarding their
careers are different from what we have known until now.
And finally, cybersecurity, especially after recent scandals
www.iberianlawyer.com
“The Barcelona innovation hub constitutes both a valuable
source of opportunities and a great challenge at the same time.
The law firms of Barcelona have to adapt their business models
to the emerging needs of our clients, and be more flexible, agile
and able to provide added value to the ordinary advice, while
also taking advantage of technology in order to provide quality
services at a competitive price.” José María Rojí, Barcelona
managing partner, CMS Albiñana & Suárez de Lezo
“Serious political disruption. The decision by the Catalan
Regional Parliament to approve a ‘transition law’ between
Spanish legality and a new Catalan legality after a unilateral
independence referendum creates substantial political and
legal uncertainty. While it is hoped that political unrest will
not eventually degenerate into civil and social unrest, the
worst possible scenario cannot be discarded. The eventuality
of Catalan independence, however remote, would create
extraordinary challenges for any law firms in the Barcelona
market, both because of the accelerated substitution of
Spanish laws for Catalan laws and the problems derived
from the abandonment of the European Union that Catalan
independence would immediately provoke.” Pedro Soriano,
senior associate, Ramón y Cajal Abogados
“Uncertainty about the political and economic situation
– our objective is to give the best legal security to foreign
investments.” Javier Casals Matute, managing partner, Casals
“To take full advantage of IT and artificial intelligence tools
in order to produce the same amount and quality of work
but in a better way for all parties involved: staff, partners
and clients.” Mercedes Clavell, of counsel, Arco Abogados y
Aesores Tributarios
March / April 2017 • IBERIAN LAWYER • 43