Interview with: Siranus Hahamian, Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Ijdelea & Associates from your competitors?

I believe that everything starts by understanding the type of client and the business concept that it promotes, following to develop the subsequent professional relationship based on these elements. The preliminary understanding of business concepts is very important as sometimes we are dealing with clients who want an in-depth knowledge of concepts and allocate more time to such discussions and clients who prefer to be more schematic, select the essence and decide accordingly.

Another essential aspect consists in anticipating the client’s needs, as well as in offering tailored solutions. Ultimately, a client asks for lawyer’s advice in order to receive assumed solutions, for doing something, the role of the lawyer being to interpret an imperfect legislation in a constructive way, so as to apply it. In the same line, it is important not only raise an issue/identify a risk, but to also provide a solution, this being what the client expects from us.

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

In the context of the latest legislative changes at the European level and the energy transition, there is a clear and increased interest for investing in renewable energy projects. However, the gaps in the current Romanian legal framework and the problems that arise at a local level during the authorization process, the non-unitary practice of the authorities in a certain matter, the impossibility to secure land rights in certain locations still delay the effective implementation of such projects. Interest exists, there will be transactions on the market, but everything depends on how feasible a certain project turns out to be, which is why sellers presenting a product that already reached the Ready to Build stage will probably be more attractive.

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

The legal market is constantly changing, being directly influenced by the events that take place at a global level. By reference to the international context in the last period, I think that important changes occurred as a result of Covid-19 pandemic when, forced by circumstances, people learned that they can work just as well and just as productively from home. In fact, the conclusion was so meaningful that many law firms (at least on the consulting side) made Wfh the main way of working. On our side, we have successfully implemented this system during the pandemic and maintained it afterwards, trying to combine the needs of the company with the personal needs of each of us.

In dynamic and continuous evolving environment, it is important to be open to new and have the ability to constantly adapt to face the challenges, or to be, why not, one step ahead.

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

Technology is essential, mainly for firms implementing Wfh or hybrid ways of working. While apps for meetings and online discussions became “the rule”, face to face meetings became “the exception”. In this context, I believe it is easier for both lawyers and clients to better communicate and manage their tasks.

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

One of our representative projects is the Midia Development Project, the first offshore gas production investment in the continental shelf of the Black Sea in the last 30 years.

The development and operationalization of the project in the context of the legislative voids and continuous legislative changes was and remains a great challenge, both for us and for our clients, which we assisted every step of the way. In all cases, Midia Development Project remains the biggest achievement of Romania in the field of offshore gas production, whose essential importance is amplified in the current context of the war between Russia and Ukraine and the difficulties in gas supply that Europe has been facing recently.

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

Clients are looking for solutions and they appreciate a good, tailored advice on how “things can be done”.

I believe our firm is built on strong organisational principles, with a team of good professionals, that came together with a common goal: grow together as a team and alongside our clients.

In the future, we hope to continue growing, in a sustainable manner, diversify and develop the clients’ portfolio and remain a point of reference for the legal services market in our areas of expertise.