Interview with: Angela Toro, Partner in charge of the Employment Department in Madrid

Angela Toro, partner, leader of employment practice in Madrid, explains how at MAIO they accompany their clients transforming legal practice with proximity, problem-solving capacity and capillarity, always providing a global vision. Since the beginning, MAIO has challenged established norms. Founded by lawyers who left behind the rigidity of large firms, MAIO is an environment where creativity and flexibility flourish.  Every client is a priority, and every case an opportunity to redefine what’s possible.

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate MAIOLEGAL from your competitors?

Clients always highlight our proximity and business perspective. Partners are available for their clients. Furthermore, we like to understand the business and be part of the internal team. Curiosity about our client’s business leads to profound knowledge, long-lasting relationships and the opportunity to propose solutions in certain situations.

 

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

Transaction and financing practices; there is funding both in the public and private markets which are searching for new projects for investment, particularly in energy and technology.

 

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

Like other firms, we have implemented AI in the production process that will improve response time and quality. Most importantly, we are following the compliance trend and therefore, we are producing protocols and policies applicable to any business area with a legal impact, thereby minimizing our client’s risks.

 

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

As in any other activity, technology is having an impact on our day-to-day relations with clients. I-cloud enables various professionals to work simultaneously on the same document and enables the client to be able to be part of the process, thereby accessing up-to-date information. Furthermore, video conferences on a PC or mobile phone, permit holding meetings at any time and regardless of distance. Soon simultaneous translation will facilitate conversations in different languages.

 

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

As from my practice, we have helped different clients to stop collective conflicts or to implement restructuring measures that could have led to a decrease in production or even to bankruptcy. Profound knowledge about senior executives and directors, allows us to add value to transitions by stopping negative impacts.

In other areas, we have helped clients search for financing and proposed new types and sources of financing (green financing, impact funding, project financing in new industry sectors), for their projects, both in Spain and other jurisdictions.

 

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

Yes, they are. At least in the case of our clients. We try to be so involved in the business that we become part of the reliable team to whom to talk prior to taking strategic decisions or when dealing with problems.

We are working on an ambitious business plan with relevant growth in Madrid and certain new offices in Spain and abroad to provide our clients with further services and facilities in those territories.