Interview with: Gheorghe Buta, Senior Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate POPESCU & ASOCIATII from your competitors?

Gheorghe BUTA, Senior Partner: The answer to this question I would not want to seem like a cliché, but on the contrary, to show the aspects that really differentiate us on the market. Thus, after almost a year since I joined the team which I actually knew, I can honestly say that POPESCU & ASOCIATII differentiates on the law market through professionalism and the trust that clients have in the team’s decisions, whether they are related to legal aspects, business or are reputational decisions.

Within POPESCU & ASOCIATII we strongly believe in the need of understanding both the client’s problem and the business in order to be able to offer, each time, the right solutions, adapted equally to the problem and to the industry’s specifics, solutions which in the short, medium and long term bring the effectively pursued results and not only the achievement of a favourable result on the moment. In other words, we believe in the competitive advantage of the team and in the unique way in which each lawyer is actively involved in order to better understand the whole context, to analyse all the details. Thereby, these are the essential and at the same time the differentiating characteristics to achieve the desired results.

In addition to the main points mentioned above, it is important to note that our team of lawyers pays a lot of attention to prevention and adoption of appropriate measures, thus aiming to balance each time both the opportunities and risks in such a way that the results to be in the client’s favour.

Also, the difference between POPESCU & ASOCIATII and other law firms is visible at fine tuning, more precisely on very complex projects, where the right decision is timed at millimetre and per second, the millimetre being the location and the second being the timing – both essential and which makes the difference between success and loss.

Currently, after just over 4 years of activity of the team in this formula, POPESCU &ASOCIATII is the only law firm in Romania that has managed to achieve exceptional results, both in the legal practice and in terms of evolution as brand, visibility and recognition on the local law market. And I am not referring here only to the awards obtained so far, but also to the recognition coming from fellow lawyers and from clients.

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

We are going through an intense period, with various predictions on the future. The war in the neighbouring country and the energy crisis have caused uncertainty and a high degree of concern over the future, while the inflation and rising prices have led to the permanent revision and adaptation of the initial plans to the actual context. However, we can see a maturation of the business environment, which determines a moderate growth of the economy, even with opportunities in some of the areas of interest.

Moreover, analysing the current situation, we can see how the energy crisis has shown us the image of a difficult situation faced by companies in several industries, not only in Romania, companies whose activity depends on fossil fuels. On this basis we have noticed an even greater interest from companies to invest in alternative solutions that will lead to the use of green energy, from renewable sources, investments which will certainly lead to an increase in this practice, both in the next 12 months and in the following years.

In addition, as lately there has been a progression of disputes arising from public procurement and energy supply contracts, but also from mandates in sectors such as HORECA, FMCG, pharmaceutical, health or waste management, we consider that litigation and arbitration are the practices that will grow this year as well. This statement is also based on the fact that the Litigation Department is the main ‘engine’ or one of the main business engines in any law firm and Dispute Resolution is the largest practice within POPESCU & ASOCIATII, with the largest share on the turnover.

Further on the digitalization, which has had a very rapid growth during the pandemic, continues to develop at an accelerated rhythm and influence both the client’s business and the consumer’s behaviour.

These being mentioned, we remind that the economic players in the market have to manage a series of challenges, but also of opportunities, trying to find the most appropriate solutions for all the situations they face, to show flexibility and to adapt, quickly and as well as possible, to all changes. Our analyses make us hope for an economic recovery; therefore, we consider that the market is wide and there is room for investments and optimization of flows, in accordance with the evolution of the economical context and POPESCU & ASOCIATII team is constantly nearby the clients, to provide them the right advice and all the necessary legal support.

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

POPESCU & ASOCIATII started from the beginning on a solid collaboration with its clients, a strong relationship that is based on trust, responsibility, open communication and total flexibility, thus developing sustainable partnerships.

Currently, the results of the entire activity from the first 4 years of the company reflect the successful implementation of a different model of a law firm, to provide Premium Services for Premium Clients, a team that responds every time to the needs of the clients, whether we are talking about prevention or protection, regardless of the clients’ field of activity or the economic context.

In terms of investing in people, this does not represent a change, but it is and will remain the first strategic objective of the company, a priority and constant concern of the management since the performance can only be achieved through a permanent learning process, both individually and from senior lawyers who are true mentors for their colleagues.

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

Definitely, the technology has brought important changes in law industry in the last years, and it will certainly continue at this rhythm. First of all, the pandemic period on the one hand, has led us all to a faster digitalization, including the judicial process, at the level of the courts and of the arbitration process.

Of course, the technology offers many advantages among which are the opportunity to have quick access, at any time, to all the documentation of a mandate or the possibility to set up an online meeting, at just a click, regardless of the physical location of the client representatives or colleagues.

In this context, we believe that all the lawyers and clients have adapted to the new era, and this has brought a lot of advantages. Therefore, many lawyers, including our team, still prefer the direct contact with our clients for the important meetings, to the detriment of using the digital tools.

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

There are many projects that can be listed here, especially since most of the files in our portfolio concern special situations with a high level of complexity, including voluminous documentation and careful research work. We strongly believe that all our projects and clients are very important, and we manage to bring value in every partnership we develop and, as a proof of this, stands the fact that so far we have by our side all the clients with whom we have started a collaboration, and more than that, they recommend us to their business partners.

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

Certainly, the clients are looking for stability and for the right strategic directions from their law firms, and POPESCU & ASOCIATII is recognized as a team of extraordinary lawyers and strong opponents in the courtroom. The expertise of our Partners is impeccable, their involvement being complete so that all our lawyers (including even the juniors) accomplish everything in a rigorous and exceptional manner, being dedicated and having extensive knowledge in terms of regulations, legislative changes and the clients’ areas of activity.

POPESCU & ASOCIATII is growing, in terms of projects, of people and of the activity in general. For the next 3 years and not only, we have as a strategic objective to develop the upward trend, a trend that we have maintained since the company’s founding and we expect a growth on all levels: business, team and mandates.