Interview with: Aly Kebe Dieng, COO

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Geni & Kebe from your competitors?

To identify the main points that differentiate Geni & Kebe in Senegal from its competitors, I have considered the following aspects:

1. Expertise and Experience: Geni & Kebe SCP is known for its extensive experience in various legal fields, which sets us apart.
2. Reputation and Recognition: We have received accolades and recognition from Legal 500, Chambers and IFLR as a firm but also with individual recognition to enhance our reputation.
3. Client-Centric Approach: A key differentiator is we focus on giving personalised services and strong client relationships.
4. Diverse Practice Areas: As an advantage and compared to most of the other firms, we offer a wide range of services from litigation to corporate law, employment and labour law, tax law, finance and insurance, aviation law, real estates law, ENR, and AI and privacy law to name a few.
5. International Reach: We are part of the broad DLA Piper consortium and part of DLA Piper Africa enabling our clients to gain from international expertise. We have a second office in Cote d’Ivoire, a Liaison Officer in Cameroon and affiliate offices in 14 other African Countries thus broadening our scope of service. The international partnerships and affiliations will enhance our international networks and expand our experience, influence and capabilities for the benefit of our clients.

Furthermore, most of our lawyers are bilingual in French and English.

6. Local Knowledge: Our experienced lawyers have deep understanding of local laws and regulations which a remain a crucial factor in their success of any law firms.

 

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

In the next 12 months, several legal practices are expected to grow, driven by various factors:

1. Technology and Data Privacy:

Drivers: Increasing concerns around data protection, cybersecurity threats, and evolving regulations like EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are growing. Attackers are continuously developing new methods and techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems. However, with our partnership with DLA Piper, new security measures are being taking to protect our systems and client’s database.

2. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG):

Drivers: Growing focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility, along with new environmental regulations due to the exploitation of Oil and Gas in the region.

3. Real Estate and Construction: Drivers: Urbanization trends and infrastructure development projects. The trend continues with the development around Diamniadio new university and ministerial buildings, the construction of the new port and the continued development of the motorway linking the East to the Nord of Senegal.

6. Financial Technology (FinTech):

Drivers: Advancements in digital banking, and cryptocurrency regulations. So many enquiries from recognized and multinational companies these days regarding the sector

These trends reflect broader economic, technological, and regulatory changes influencing the legal landscape.

Our lawyers have been following the trends and are up to date with the new regulations like in the mining law following the discoveries of Oil and Gas.

The surge in the scene of Fintech or IP and AI remains the main growing practices for this period.

 

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

Most of the changes made are centered around the high-quality service to provide to the clients.

We have improved members abilities and capabilities to support and help clients by organizing excellence trainings, sending employees to take external training and English classes supporting their personal skills and enhance better communication with foreign language speaking clients.

 

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

Yes, technology is significantly changing client interactions and legal services:

1. Enhanced Communication: Use of video conferencing like teams, and instant messaging for more efficient client communication.

2. Document Management: We are using Cloud-based systems for easy access and sharing of documents within the firm and with clients.

3. Cybersecurity: We have put in place CrowdStrike Implementing robust measures to protect client data.

These advancements improve efficiency, accessibility, and client satisfaction.

 

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

Certainly! Here’s a practical example: A law firm assisted a client in the technology sector by:

1. Intellectual Property Protection: We have advised one of our clients in securing patents for their innovative products, thus preventing competitors from copying their designs.

2. Regulatory Compliance: We have advised a client facing tax issues to avoid potential fines due to late filing of their documents and therefore enhancing customer trust.

This comprehensive support helped the client enhance their market position and drive business growth.

 

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

Clients are indeed seeking stability and strategic direction from their law firms. In three years, a forward-thinking firm might aim to:

We have a stable client base and are always acquiring new clients due to referrals or via digital links like in LEGAL 500.

We see GENI & KEBE a leading law firm in the region for the next three years to come. For that, we will keep on delivering on the below and keeping up to date with the evolving trends in the market.

1. Expand Practice Areas: We will need to further diversify into emerging fields like ESG and FinTech.

2. Strengthen Client Relationships: We will keep on focusing on personalized services and building long-term partnerships.

3. Leverage Technology: Enhance service delivery through AI and automation tools like Copilot

4. Global Reach: Strengthen and polish our international alliances to serve a broader client base.

5. Talent Development: We offer graduate training scheme, and we will keep on investing in training and retaining top legal talent.

These strategies can help position our firm as a leader in innovation and client service.