Interview with: Yossi Ben-Dror, Senior Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Y. Ben-Dror from your competitors?

Y. Ben-Dror is an outstanding law firm, having experienced, talented and dedicated lawyers, specializing in a broad range of Corporate, Commercial and Hi-tech Law. Y. Ben-Dror is committed to enhancing responsiveness, delivering value and providing the highest quality of legal services to our clients.

We are best known abroad and locally as a boutique Corporate and Commercial firm that provides outstanding legal services to renowned and leading international corporations.

We are retained continuously by Legal Departments of top tier multinational corporations for decades and our clients’ loyalty is unprecedented.

We pride ourselves that corporations such as DellEMC, SolidCAM, PCTEL, MathWorks, StorBridge and others have been our dedicated clients for approximately 30 years.

We are at the cutting edge of the legal profession as it changes and develops. For example, we have expanded our practice to the Cyber Security area, where among others, we are counsel to the most renowned leading Joint Venture in Beer Sheba, the ‘worldwide capital’ of Cyber.

We are now very active in the telecommunications and satellite industry through among others, our multinational client AST and Science that is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones.

Due to the current legal and work environment in connection with COVID-19, our firm has acquired the most sophisticated and updated computerized and telecommunications systems and has undertaken all measures to assure ongoing, seamless work by our staff, either from home or at the office.

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

Y. Ben-Dror has been set on continuously innovating its practice as a main target first, for the overall benefit of its clients and second, to initiate, present and implement practices that allow the firm to be first in line in the changing environment of global business in general and specifically, within the legal profession.

It is apparent that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed business worldwide and its effects will last for a significant period. The crisis requires law firms in general to promote innovation and changes that will accordingly be implemented in many legal areas. Our Firm is constantly evolving and is up to date with the latest related advanced technology and practices including, in the areas of Cyber and Data Security, IT, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Semiconductors, Life Sciences, Cloud Computing and Infrastructure, Data Privacy and Protection of Information, Funding and Securing Capital, Fintech, Cryptocurrencies, Telecommunications and Autonomous vehicles.

Many leading international corporations have established R&D centers in Israel and we believe that others will follow their model. The search for cutting-edge technology will advance foreign acquisitions of young and competitive local startups.

Since the process is not as rigorous as a traditional IPO, we have seen among our clients, including Israeli companies, a growing interest in SPACs as a very popular route to liquidity.

An emphasis has been placed on broadening our Firm’s Pro Bono legal work in areas where the Firm presents its expertise in Corporate and Commercial work and adds significant value (e.g. The Israel America Chamber of Commerce and local business-like Government/Municipal entities).

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

We have implemented the “Modular Approach for Legal Practice” (“MALP”). Under MALP our firm has been concentrating and excelling in its core areas where we are outstanding leaders e.g. Corporate, Hi-tech, Commercial, Mergers and Acquisitions and Finance Law.

Based on our reputation locally and abroad and excellent relationships with our colleagues in adjacent and complimentary areas such as Intellectual Property, Tax, Labor and Real Estate Law, we bring into the given transaction or matters, the best practitioners in Israel who specialize specifically and only in such given area.

A recent example is close collaboration with a leading IP firm safeguarding an innovative vaccine, as part of a large-scale transaction to complete its development and commercialization. Another example under MALP is the close collaboration with the Tax Department of a ‘Big Four’ accounting firm in the structuring and initiation of a Multinational’s operations in Israel.

Y. Ben-Dror engages the best professionals and experts from different disciplines in the solution of complex matters, while managing a given transaction or case in the fastest and most efficient manner. This of course, allows us utmost flexibility and the reduction of HR and other costs.

We are proud of our diversified personnel and staff which among others, is comprised of a vast majority of outstanding women (75%).

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

We at Y. Ben-Dror are very proud that our practice is advanced, innovative and makes use of the most recent and sophisticated technology, computerized and telecommunications systems that are available in the market and at the same time, we succeed in maintaining close, personal and long-lasting relationships with our clients.

We regularly have an ongoing dialogue with our clients, reach out to them with information, advice and where appropriate, alerts concerning relevant legal and business upcoming developments.

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

In the past year, the Israeli Government issued a multi-billion dollar tender in the transport area. Y. Ben-Dror was retained to represent a foreign conglomerate in the related procedures. The overall transaction included a massive financing segment by a renowned international bank.

Aside from the legal aspects of the tender and our related services, we managed procedural matters of the tender on behalf of our client and practically through innovative actions, diligent ongoing work and ingenious thinking, the Firm succeeded in protecting the client’s interests and safeguarding the opportunity to take part in the tender.

The client’s CEO sent a very warm note in this regard: “I can’t thank you enough for your assistance… The way in which you dropped everything to help … was truly remarkable, indeed. Moreover, your focus, persistence and follow through were the attributes that got a nearly impossible job done”.

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

Y. Ben-Dror is an excellent example of a law firm that maintains stability and provides ultimate strategic direction to its clients. It is not a coincidence that our high-profile clients work with us for decades and view our services as a valuable asset throughout their business activities.

I believe that we will continue to excel in the legal and business areas that we practice, as we have done in the past 35 years. In the years to come will make all efforts to adapt ourselves to the rapid changes in the global scene and legal profession, retain excellent professionals, acquire cutting edge technology and provide the ultimate work products for the benefit of our clients.

Click here to watch an interview covering Yossi Ben-Dror’s international practice.