Interview with… Vasiliki Pourgoura and Alexandra Aspri, Pourgoura & Aspri LLC

Celia Pourgoura is an English qualified lawyer with an LLB qualification, an LLM qualification on Commercial Corporate law, a Middle Temple Barrister-at- Law with registration at the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales as a non-practising Barrister at Law, and a practising registered member of the Cyprus Bar. Between the years 2002 and 2005 and from 2008 until today she has been dealing with trust law, corporate and commercial law, anti-money laundering issues, contract law and corporate administration. Since April 2011 she is the co-owner and director of CA ADVOCATES (Pourgoura & Aspri LLC). She speaks Greek and English fluently and currently learning Russian. She has been nominated by Kings College London as their ambassador in Cyprus. She is a member of (STEP) Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner and of the International Bar Association. She is a the current President of the Cyprus Belarus association, as well a member of the board of directors of the Cyprus – UK association, the Cyprus – India Association, the Cyprus – Russia Association, the Cyprus – Poland Association and the Cyprus – Ukraine Association.

Alexia Aspri obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2000 and then an LLB from the same university in 2002. She was admitted as a member of the Cyprus Bar in 2003 and since then, she gained solid corporate and commercial law experience by having worked at the corporate law departments of some of the most renowned law firms in Cyprus. Her main specialization is concentrated in contractual drafting and in consulting on corporate and tax strategies, mergers and acquisitions and re-organisations, Company law including management and administration of companies, Trusts and estate planning. She became a member of (STEP) Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners in 2010. Since April 2011 she is the co-owner and director of the law firm CA Advocates (Pourgoura & Aspri LLC). She speaks Greek and English fluently. She is also a member of the International Bar Association.

What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?

The changes that we have incorporated with our firm are the following:

1/ Technological advancement and training

We consider that technological advancement and relevant training of staff are two crucial aspects in the future development of the firm. Although we are always aware of new digital products which may be useful in our productivity and effectiveness, during the last 12 months, and party driven by the adverse conditions of Covid19 outbreak, we had the opportunity to utilize to the maximum the digital resources available in the market that are specific for our sector. We further believe that providing continuous support and training of staff on new developments gives an even greater potential to the available technological means.

2/ Client orientated approach

Our law firm has always followed a strict client orientated approach and our paramount objective is to offer the highest level of professional and personalized service to the client, yet in a quick, efficient and affordable manner.

We strive to establish more productive and efficient methods of offering our services so as to follow a cost-effective result. The technological advancement and the expertise for our staff manage to always achieve the desired results. We also try to offer complete solution packages to our clients in an attempt to decrease unnecessary costs.

3/ Promoting change from within the firm

We always promote staff from all levels to speak out when they have any ideas which can help the firm in any way, which we take very seriously. We often organize team building activities where each member of staff can provide their feedback on the way the firm operates.

What does innovation mean to you and how can firms be better at it?

Innovation is crucial for the successful continuing of an organization. It is about implementing new technologies, products and policies. It is about communication with the clients, listening to their needs and make sure to assist and satisfy those needs in a most efficient way. Another aspect of an innovative approach is collaboration and partnership with other industry related service providers and the ability to offer complete service packages to clients. All the abovementioned are an indication on how firms can do in order to enhance their practices.

Tech companies, including gambling corporates and software developers, are all contributing to a nascent yet vibrant IT sector in Cyprus. Is this a new area of focus for your lawyers?

Of course, tech companies, software developers and related legal entities in Cyprus have the same needs as any other legal entity in Cyprus, in addition to the specified licensing and regulations that they have to follow according to the requirements set by the government, the European and International legislation. Our firm provides legal support to a number of such companies headquartered in Cyprus in order to benefit for the preferential tax treatment, and as we consider that this is a definitely a growing sector, we are looking to expand even further our exposure to it by obtaining specialization thereon.

How does your firm handle technology and data security?

In our firm, we take data security very seriously and we make sure to engage with specialized professionals and implement proper office policies for the safeguarding of our clients’ data. In addition, with the implementation of the GDPR regulation in Cyprus in May 2018, we have further improved our policies for the protection of the personal and sensitive data of both our clients’ and our personnel.

What is your firm’s approach to competition?

We take the challenge of the high competition in the legal industry in Cyprus and we strive to improve our firm’s practice further, however we try to maintain our firm’s character, vision, mission and ethical approach through the healthy competition within the industry.

As we enter a new period of global economic downturn, are you able to pinpoint any legal or strategic lessons learned by lawyers following the 2012-2013 financial crisis?

Our firm was firstly incorporated in 2011, therefore the company’s initial and most important steps was amidst the financial crisis that took place in Cyprus between years 2012-2013. We have encountered a number of challenges through our business due to the financial crisis as all industries have encountered that period. The lessons learned is to keep up-to-date with the legislation European and International, be alert and work hard and endure all the difficulties.

What do you do differently from other Cypriot firms?

Our main strong point is that we are efficient and effective! We are a small boutique law firm consisting of young professionals that strive to provide personalised services to our clients in the most efficient way. Our main mission is to maintain our character and ethical values as a law firm, while progressing and prevailing to reach our goal and be considered one of the best boutique law firms in Cyprus.

What have you found is the best way to recruit and retain talent?

The recruitment of new personnel can be a challenging task as we have to consider a number of variables when the interview process takes place. We find that three characteristics are important in the recruitment process; first excitement, second good academics and third the person’s personality.

The best way to retain personnel is communication and discussing with the employees, trying to find a middle way to satisfy the needs of the employee and the needs of the firm and providing prospective grounds for motivation and healthy competition.

What should young lawyers know about working in Cyprus compared to other jurisdictions?

Working in Cyprus can be disappointing at first, due to the small-size of the industry and the high competition between legal professionals. Nonetheless, working in the legal industry in Cyprus can offer great exposure on an international level (especially in the corporate – commercial sector), interpersonal skills, endurance, strength and stimulation for new ideas and practices for the improvement of the industry.

What does diversity and inclusion mean to you? And, is D&I difficult in your jurisdiction?

Diversity and inclusion mean giving the opportunity to all individuals to work, learn, practice, train, evolve, try, fail and rise again despite their different background, level of experience, nationality, beliefs and culture. Diversity and inclusion can be difficult in our jurisdiction, due to the high competition and great number of family businesses which often act as a hurdle for professionals. Thankfully, the new generations of professionals have been raised with great endurance and persistence and spirit which enables them to prevail and not give-up in the looking of their desired position.