A Founding Partner's Insights: Aleš Velkaverh, L.L.M. on Embracing Technology and Competitive Adjustments in Today's Legal Landscape

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Law Firm Velkaverh, Štravs, Podgornik from your competitors?

I believe that our primary distinction lies in the unique approach concerning our team composition. Namely, all our attorneys are highly trained to represent clients in all types of legal proceedings, including alternative dispute resolution proceedings, before Slovenian and EU competent authorities. In addition, our lawyers are also part of one or more specialised in-house teams covering the following areas of law Transport, Freight Forwarding, Maritime and Customs Law, Real Estate, Construction and Hospitality law, Corporate, Commercial and Insolvency Law, Finance and Tax Law, Employment and Social Security Law and Medical Law.

By combining comprehensive knowledge of court proceedings and alternative dispute resolution methods with specialized focus areas, we provide holistic and thorough advice to our clients, regardless of the complexity of their legal issues or the nature of their business.

Furthermore, our unique model means that clients have the benefit of working with a single cohesive team throughout their legal journey, eliminating the need to navigate multiple attorneys and teams. This streamlined approach not only fosters stronger communication and collaboration but also ensures continuity and consistency in legal strategy and representation.

2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?

We mainly anticipate the following practices to grow in the next 12 months:

Transport, Freight Forwarding, and Customs Law: The international business landscape is expanding, leading to increasing demand for legal assistance in navigating relationships and customs proceedings. Our strategic location near the Port of Koper positions us advantageously to provide expert counsel in this field. With deep experience and commitment of our team led by managing partner Aleš Štravs, we are already noticing the significant growth in this practice area as we meet the evolving needs of clients in transportation, freight forwarding, and customs law.

Real Estate Transactions: the Slovenian real estate market is attracting both domestic and foreign investors due to its promising opportunities. Recognizing this factor, we are prioritizing the delivery of efficient solutions for real estate transactions, regardless of their complexity. Our commitment is reflected in the ongoing trust and recommendations that we receive from our clients, who continue to seek our services and refer us to other investors.

M&A Transactions: Businesses are actively seeking strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions to drive growth and gain a competitive edge in their industries. Because we do not focus only on narrow specialised areas of law, we are able to offer in-depth services covering all aspects of M&A transactions with our comprehensive expertise.. This approach enables us to provide our clients with safe and advantageous deals, ensuring that their transactions are carried out smoothly and efficiently.

3) What's the main change you've made in the firm that will benefit clients?

At our law firm, we have implemented several significant changes aimed at benefiting our clients since our establishment in 2020. One of the most impactful shifts has been our embrace of technology. We've introduced regular video conferencing to minimize unnecessary travel costs for our clients, and we established an e-office and e-invoicing system. These technological advancements not only save time but also reduce legal costs for our clients while simplifying payments with QR code integration. We're committed to further enhancing our technological infrastructure to better serve our clients.

Additionally, we have expanded our reach and capabilities through strategic networking. By joining esteemed global networks of international law firms such as ADVOC, ATLO, and ECCN, we've gained the ability to swiftly provide excellent legal assistance abroad when our clients require it. Moreover, our affiliation with these networks enables us to assist foreign clients in need of legal services within Slovenia, fostering a seamless global legal support system.

Furthermore, we have established an affiliate office in the capital city of Ljubljana, a move aimed at optimizing workflow and reducing costs for our clients. By expanding our team and presence in the capital, we aim to enhance accessibility and efficiency in serving our clients' legal needs.

Overall, these changes reflect our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and client satisfaction, ensuring that we continue the tradition of legal excellence set by the Starman/Velkaverh Law Firm (established in 1972) while adapting to the evolving needs of our clients in the modern era.

4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?

Yes, technology is fundamentally altering the way we interact with our clients and the services we offer them. We recognize the rapid pace of technological advancements and the critical importance of staying abreast of these changes to deliver top-notch legal services. In today's fast-paced world, efficiency is paramount, and leveraging technology allows us to provide excellent legal assistance while optimizing both time and costs for our clients.

By embracing new technologies and increasingly sophisticated AI tools in our practice, we can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our services. This not only enables us to deliver superior legal counsel but also ensures that we remain competitive in the evolving landscape of legal service provision. We firmly believe that incorporating the use of cutting-edge technology is essential for the future success of law firms, enabling us to meet the evolving needs of our clients while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.

5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?

Our law firm provided full legal, financial and tax advisory services during the client’s acquisition of real estate in Koper (approx. 30.000 m2).  The estimated value of the deal was between 30.000.000,00 EUR and 50.000.000,00 EUR. The acquisition was particularly complex as the real estate was designated for non-building purposes (municipal park) at the moment of purchase and the transaction therefore had to include various safeguards in relation to this substantial risk for the client. The real estate acquisition process was successfully completed with a multi-step approach, designed specifically for this transaction. With the completion of the real estate acquisition process, our client continues with its residential construction project. Our law firm assist our client with the risk management transactions, drafting construction and financing contracts, etc. The project represents the biggest real estate project in the last 10 years on the Slovenian coast.

6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms - where do you see the firm in three years’ time?

Certainly. Clients are increasingly seeking stability and strategic direction from their law firms, expecting not only high-quality legal services but also long-term value and support. Over the next three years, we envision our firm continuing to solidify its position as a trusted legal partner by focusing on several key initiatives.

Firstly, we are committed to expanding our team at our Ljubljana affiliate office to ensure we have the necessary expertise and capacity to meet the evolving needs of our clients. By investing in talent acquisition and professional development, we aim to strengthen our capabilities across various practice areas, thereby enhancing the depth and breadth of services we offer.

Furthermore, in line with our commitment to innovation, we will continue to leverage AI and other advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver even greater value to our clients. By harnessing the power of AI for tasks such as legal research, document automation, and data analysis, we can streamline processes, improve accuracy, and ultimately provide more cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.

Last but not least, we recognize the importance of strong international collaboration in today's interconnected world. Through our participation in global networks of law firms and strategic partnerships with overseas counterparts, we aim to expand our reach and offer seamless legal support to clients with cross-border interests, thereby solidifying our reputation as a leading international law firm.

In three years' time, we envision our firm as a dynamic and forward-thinking organization, known for its exceptional legal expertise, client-centric approach, and commitment to innovation. By focusing on expanding our team, building a strong presence in Ljubljana, harnessing the power of AI, and fostering strong international collaboration, we are confident that we will continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients while achieving sustainable growth and success.