Interview with: Elias Neocleous, Managing Partner

Elias Neocleous, Managing Partner of Elias Neocleous & Co LLC, shares the firm’s client-centric approach, its investment in talent development, and its focus on integrating technology to deliver efficient legal services. He also provides insights on the firm’s growth strategy and the evolving legal landscape in Cyprus and beyond.

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate [law firm name] from your competitors?

As the largest law firm in Cyprus, Elias Neocleous & Co LLC stands out through its depth of talent, commitment to people development, and a client-centric, business-minded approach to legal practice. Our scale allows us to bring together diverse legal expertise under one roof, giving clients access to comprehensive, tailored solutions across all areas of law. We believe our greatest asset is our people. That’s why we consistently invest in attracting, developing, and retaining top legal talent. Our focus on continuous professional development, training, and mentorship ensures that our teams are not only highly skilled but also agile and forward-thinking in navigating the legal landscape. We’re also focused refining our internal procedures and infrastructure—whether through streamlined workflows, effective knowledge sharing, or smart adoption of IT and legal technology—to enhance both the client experience and the quality of our service delivery. Rather than using technology for its own sake, we integrate it thoughtfully to support efficiency, security, and responsiveness.

Our approach to law is pragmatic and business oriented. We don’t just provide legal advice—we act as strategic partners, helping clients manage risk, make informed decisions, and achieve their goals. Whether advising multinational corporations, local enterprises, or private individuals, we take pride in being accessible, proactive, and solutions driven. Above all, we put clients first. Every engagement begins with understanding their unique needs and ends with delivering value, clarity, and confidence. This commitment, combined with our scale, talent, and adaptability, continues to set us apart in the market.

 

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

We anticipate strong growth across several key practice areas in the coming year, driven by evolving regulatory frameworks, increased global scrutiny, and complex economic conditions. M&A, corporate, litigation, banking and finance will remain central, as clients continue to seek legal guidance in all these sectors  in a challenging economic environment. We also anticipate a rising demand in tax advisory and planning, particularly as cross-border transactions and global tax reforms add layers of complexity for businesses operating internationally.

Compliance and financial services regulatory work are also expected to grow significantly, fuelled by increased regulatory enforcement and heightened expectations for corporate transparency. Our clients rely on us not only to ensure they meet their obligations but also to design practical frameworks that align with their operational needs. At the same time, areas such as intellectual property and technology legislation continue to gain momentum, especially as innovation becomes a core business driver across sectors. Our firm is actively advising on digital rights, licensing, data governance, and tech regulation, ensuring clients can protect and maximise their intangible assets.

We’re also seeing increasing activity from startups and tech-driven enterprises, particularly in sectors like fintech, gaming, and deep tech—areas in which Cyprus, and Limassol specifically, are gaining strong international recognition. Government-backed funding programs, investment incentives, and access to EU support through entities like the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Cyprus are fuelling this growth. As these ventures scale globally, we expect greater demand for legal support in areas like VC funding, regulatory strategy, and cross-border expansion.

Cybersecurity and regulatory risk management remain critical—especially as businesses face new threats and must comply with tightening privacy laws and standards. Our expertise allows us to provide clients with strategic advice on managing risk, ensuring compliance, and responding to incidents with clarity and control. Overall, our growth will be shaped by our ability to stay ahead of legal developments and offer clear, business-focused counsel in areas where law, regulation, and strategy intersect.

 

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

One of the most impactful changes we’ve made is our continuous investment in the development of our lawyers—not only in legal expertise but also in cultivating strong business acumen. We actively encourage our people to think beyond the traditional boundaries of legal practice and to understand the commercial realities our clients face. This mindset allows us to offer advice that is not just legally sound, but also practical, strategic, and aligned with each client’s broader objectives. We place a strong emphasis on training—both formal and informal—ensuring our teams stay ahead of legal, industry, and technological developments. Our lawyers are constantly challenged to grow, evolve, and adapt to the fast-moving business landscape. This includes smart integration of legal tech and AI tools where they genuinely add value—helping us deliver clearer, faster, and more tailored solutions. By combining legal excellence with deep business insight and a forward-looking perspective, we are better positioned than ever to support our clients in navigating complexity, seizing opportunities, and achieving long-term success.

 

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

Technology continues to reshape client engagement and legal service delivery. As a firm that has always been technology-driven, we are constantly advancing our use of AI-powered tools to improve legal research, contract analysis, and compliance automation. One example is our proprietary platform, neolaw.ai, which leverages advanced machine learning and AI to deliver real-time legal insights, streamline due diligence, and support data-driven decision-making for our clients.  This ongoing innovation enables us to deliver faster, more precise, and more strategic legal solutions. Our ISO-certified approach to cybersecurity ensures that all digital interactions meet the highest standards of data protection and regulatory compliance. By integrating cutting-edge technology into our workflows, we are not only streamlining complex legal processes but also providing clients with deeper insights and more efficient risk management.

This is especially relevant given Cyprus’ rapid emergence as a regional hub for innovation, with Limassol at the forefront of startup activity in areas such as fintech and deep tech. By aligning our technology capabilities with this momentum, we’re well-positioned to support clients at every stage of their growth journey. As the legal landscape evolves, we remain committed to leveraging technology to enhance the quality, security, and impact of our services.

 

 

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

We regularly support clients by combining legal expertise with a deep understanding of their business context, offering advice that goes beyond the legal framework to drive tangible results. By leveraging the collective knowledge and industry experience of our multidisciplinary teams, we’re able to deliver pragmatic solutions that are not only technically sound but commercially effective. In today’s increasingly complex regulatory environment, clients rely on us to mitigate legal challenges while keeping business goals in sharp focus. Whether it’s structuring cross-border transactions, guiding strategic decisions, or ensuring full regulatory compliance, we take a solutions-oriented approach with a clear grasp of the business drivers at play. This enables our clients to operate with confidence, manage risk proactively, and take advantage of growth opportunities.

 

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

Without question—clients are increasingly seeking law firms that offer both a steady hand and a forward-thinking mindset. However, while stability and strategic clarity are essential, equally important is the ability to anticipate and respond to emerging risks—particularly those driven by geopolitical issues, sudden legislative changes, and advancements in technology,AI. At Elias Neocleous & Co LLC, we see our role not only as legal advisors, but as trusted partners who help clients navigate complexity with confidence. Over the next three years, we will continue to build on our strengths: deep legal expertise, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to developing talent with a strong business and future-focused mindset. We’re heavily invested in empowering our lawyers with the tools, training, and awareness needed to support clients in a world increasingly shaped by digital transformation.

At the same time, we are acutely aware of the risks that come with technological advancement—such as the rise of misinformation, deepfakes, and AI-generated content that can harm reputations, compromise transactions, or even threaten legal integrity. Our teams are already at the forefront of addressing these challenges, working proactively to protect our clients and ensure they are legally equipped not only to manage such threats but to thrive.

Given Cyprus’ strengthening position as a gateway to innovation in the South-East Mediterranean, and our close ties with markets like Israel—a global leader in tech innovation—we see unique opportunities to further expand our influence in the region. We aim to play a pivotal role in supporting the next wave of growth for startups, scale-ups, and established companies navigating this dynamic and evolving landscape.