Interview with: Zippora BML Siregar, Managing Partner

Siregar & Djojonegoro (www.sdlaw.co) was established in early year 2013 by Zippora BML Siregar and Cindy Djojonegoro. S&D has been established to take up the demands of new challenges in the dynamic business changes of the ever growing Indonesian economy and to cope with the demand for enhancing the value and quality of legal services in Indonesia.

Zippora is a law graduate of the University of Indonesia’s prestigious law school, achieving her Legal Law Bachelor’s (SH) in 1996. She went on to complete her Master’s of Law in 2004. Zippora began her career at one of Indonesia’s largest and prestigious law firm Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo in 1996.

After gaining nine years of invaluable experience at Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo, she joined prestigious law firm of Melli Darsa & Co., for which two years later she became the Partner in 2007. Zippora is becoming member of the Indonesian Bar Association, Association of Capital Markets Legal Consultant, Woman Law Network, Fellow (FSiarb) of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb) and Member (MCIArb) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Cindy is a law graduate of the University of Indonesia’s prestigious law school, achieving her Indonesian Legal Law Bachelor’s (SH) in 1994. Thereafter she studied at the Stanford Law School and received the Juris Science Master’s (JSM) in 1997. She has extensively gained the experiences as lawyer at Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo. Cindy is becoming member of the Indonesian Bar Association, member of The Indonesian Angel Investment Network (ANGIN) and also mentor at Endeavor Indonesia.

The firm is strongly specialized in banking & corporate finance, project finance, acquisition finance, infrastructure project, restructuring & insolvency, merger & acquisition, venture capital & startup and technology based business.

What do you see as the main points that differentiate siregar & djojonegoro from your competitors?

• The understanding of the legal aspects, together with the knowledge of the commercial and business environment also the understanding of our client’s background and issues are our key strengths in delivering our legal services.
• The experience, track record and personality of the founders enable S&D to provide high quality communications to its clients, proven negotiating skills and the ability to interpret the client’s concern to achieve smooth transaction processes in accordance with the established goals.
• Quick and positive response, close constructive relationship with clients and full involvement of the partners in handling the case also becoming our points. As   a boutique firm, the partners directly engage, monitor and control the quality of the legal works provided to the clients.

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

Infrastructure will still become a practice that grows in the next 12 months. This is in line with the government’s goal to accelerate the development of infrastructure in Indonesia. Startup, technology based business and venture capital are other key sectors that will grow in the next 12 months. These key sectors are growing due to the modern trends in the development of business model in which the cost cutting, agility, and quick access become the key elements.

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

Focusing on quality and efficiency in delivering the legal services. This will be reflected in the proper allocation team of lawyers involved (it varies depends on the complexity and specialization of the case, but in any case there will a senior level to handle as team leader), efficient working hours spent on a case and competitive fees charged to the clients. As a boutique firm, the partners are able to directly monitor the work progress to make sure that the lawyers are precise and efficient in doing the legal works so at the end the clients will be happy with prompt delivery of legal products, comprehensive and useful legal products and the competitive fees incurred.

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

Absolutely. Technology helps to create an effective and smooth communication with the clients. Technology further supports S&D to deliver a quick and positive response to the clients so that they are able to obtain quick update on issues and make prompt decisions accordingly. In interacting with the clients, we always use the method of communication and interaction that the clients prefer, such as video conference or any other technology based media communication. Internally, we too adapt technology as a mean for the lawyers to work efficiently through group chat for example.

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

It varies, depending on the need and circumstances of the clients. In some instances, we assist our clients in connecting them with the right business people, government officials and/or foreign lawyers/consultants who will help them to close any issue or even sometimes conclude a deal quicker.

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

Yes, we view that stability and strategic direction of the firm are necessary for attracting new clients and maintaining the existing clients. Within 3 years, S&D aims to grow together with our clients and our lawyers, and including an inorganic growth plan.