Interview with: Ilias Tsintavis, Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate MICHAEL KYPRIANOU & CO. LLC from your competitors?

We are an international law firm with offices in Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Ukraine and representative offices in London & UAE. Moreover, we maintain very close relations with the leading international law firms globally. As a result, having full legal capability in the above four countries, we are able to offer accurate, time sensitive advice in the shortest possible time, whilst we are in the position to understand and address the individualities and complexities involved when dealing with cross-jurisdictional issues. Specifically, when it comes to Greece, Cyprus and Malta we are truly the only law firm with such capability. And most commonly, we do work with other Greek law firms in a cooperative way, rather than in a competitive way.

Additionally, our team is skilled at understanding the intricacies of the industries in which our clients operate and, as a result, we are trusted by a large number of organisations with providing legal support in relation to all their commercial and corporate matters on an ongoing basis. The diversity of the matters that we handle, from corporate restructurings and M&A to industry specific regulatory issues relating to our clients’ industry or sector (e.g. funds, banking, financial services, investments) is what differentiate Michael Kyprianou & Co LLC from the competitors.

The leading international law firms that refer work to us on a repetitive basis and the longstanding clients who trust our firm consistently with their corporate/commercial matters is the safest indication that can be regarding the quality of the services of our law firm.

Moreover, our litigation / dispute resolution & arbitration department focuses on high value commercial disputes of an international nature. Our success rate in the cases that we handle and the very positive feedback that we receive from our clients is evidence that our firm stands as a beacon of excellence.

 

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

The legal practice areas that will grow in 2024 are corporate / commercial law, real estate and property law, private client and tax law.

 

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

Our main change is the boosting of our human resources, adding to the team persons with expertise in certain fields and developing our current team. This of course comes on top of our investment in working premises and the availability of technology.

 

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

Acknowledging that technology plays a major role in any business sector, the firm has access to advanced information technology infrastructure, granting our lawyers and support staff all the tools and services that enable faster information and data processing, real-time collaboration, and above all, robust information security measures. Digital accessibility has improved how we manage and share documentation with clients. We can securely store project-related documents, granting clients easy access and reducing delays caused by back-and-forth email exchanges. The advanced security features provide peace of mind to our clients. Multi-factor authentication, encrypted communication, and regular security updates ensure that our clients’ sensitive data remains protected.

 

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

Being a good lawyer is more about knowing the law. It is about deeply understanding the law so as to enable the client to maximize their output from the application of the law. One such practical example was the optimization of the financial operations of a leading company involved in providing services to the pharmaceutical industry. Via the deep understanding of the intricacies of the law and the optimized application of the appropriate provisions into the business structure of the company, we were able to obtain significant savings in areas where previously, due to poor financing structuring, there was a significant leakage of resources. This is just one of many. We have also significantly assisted a multinational organization in optimizing financing transactions so as to maximize their output in relation to a $400million transaction. And a much smaller one that fits the profile. We have advised a new private museum to establish itself in an area (video gaming), in full compliance with the law, where it was always believed (erroneously) that this was not permitted. Concluding, I would simply like to add that on top of deep understanding of the law, it is important to maintain relations with the regulatory authorities based on integrity, respect and proficiency. And have worked very hard to achieve this.

 

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

Indeed, clients do very much look for both from the law firms. Especially in our position, where our international element provides a wider insight than normal. Legal certainty and foreseeability of the legal outcome of corporate actions is paramount for corporate clients. When we look at the international aspects of such actions, then inherent certainty provided by general counsels is naturally reduced and this is where we are well placed to assist, by bridging the jurisdictional gap. Moreover, a law firm with international presence can give insight in how things are regulated in other jurisdictions and how processes may have been optimized elsewhere. And from the feedback of our clients, we can note that they do find this knowledge and awareness to be very useful in relation to strategic direction planning, even in business structuring.

Over the next three years we are deploying an investment plan in our office premises, which are all fully owned. Moreover, we are investing into legal talent, both from Greece and abroad. As a result, we do hope and expect to be in a position to be able to properly and promptly address a significantly higher volume of clients, moving to an extent from the niche advisory and private client / large business operation that we operate now to include some middle size business clients as well.