What challenges has your firm faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? Has it opened up any opportunities?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to organise our work force and our lawyers to work remotely from home. In addition, most authorities and councils were completely closed and the courts were only operating administratively to defer the hearings, however we had to ensure that our attorneys will represent the parties present to announce deferring the case due to COVID-19.
Moreover, we have realized during the pandemic the advantages of the use of technology which facilitated the execution of the work in a cost and time efficient manner.
How do you balance nurturing junior team members with ensuring clients get the full benefit of the most experienced legal minds?
First of all, normally, cases are handled by a partner specialized in the matter at hand, who is always assisted by a junior lawyer who is involved at the outset and the involvement of the partner is limited to when required for cost efficiency purposes, noting that our junior lawyers are well experienced and are well aware of when the partner involvement is required.
What is the key to fostering long-term client relationships?
Quality of the service and the responsiveness are key. Anticipating the needs of clients is also key and always informing our clients of the latest legal developments or other developments that may have an impact on their business
Which areas of the Egyptian market are most influenced by foreign investment?
Infrastructure projects, construction, oil and gas, petrochemical, renewable energy projects
How have clients’ demands changed in recent years?
We note that our client require more swift, practical and cost efficient solutions.
What does your firm do to minimize its carbon footprint?
We have opted for dematerialization of our working tools, we are moving towards paperless working and have reduced the use of paper, courier and storage. We have also worked to adopt energy saving measures such as sensors, solar energy, switching off unnecessary devices.
Which areas of practice do you see as being the most important to your firm over the next five years?
Following the devaluation of the Egyptian currency, we note an increase in foreign direct investments, which lead to an increase in mergers and acquisitions mostly lead by private equity transactions, specifically foreign direct investments directed to the uprising Fintech industry.
What is your approach to building relationships with international firms?
We believe that building relationships with international law firms, is essential to expansion and growth and mainly through creating best-friend relationships. Our best-friend law firms are leading firms in their respective jurisdiction providing high quality and cost efficiency services. We also maintain an open channel to enable us to cater our clients’ needs.
Since becoming managing partner, what’s surprised you most about running a firm?
The point of main concern to me is to function at the speed, quality and cost efficiency and rendering the services identical to that provided by international law firms.
How has your role/involvement in client-facing work changed since becoming managing partner?
Upon becoming a managing partner, my devotion shifted from the clients I’m personally handling as a lawyer to all the clients of the firm. Being the managing partner enabled me to oversee and review all clients handled by our firm and accordingly, I now have a sharp eye depicting any issues arising out of client matters.
What advice would you give to the next generation of partners ready to rise in the ranks?
The most important thing, in my opinion, is to cater the clients’ needs swiftly, holding the clients’ hand at all times, keeping the clients up to date on any development, encourage team work.
What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional and personal capacity?
My greatest achievement is founding Al Kamel Law Firm, which is currently considered one of the biggest law firms in the Country and rendering services not only in Egypt but also internationally. In addition, I am very proud of being the first Egyptian lawyer to present an arbitration claim against the Egyptian government in which I have succeeded. Said arbitration was held in the International Court of Justice at the Hague, Netherland, which allowed to me plead in the premises of the International court of justice despite the fact that it was not an international dispute between countries.