Interview with: Irina Vasile, Partner

Irina Vasile, Partner at Lexters, shares how the firm is evolving to meet clients’ needs within the digital and fast-paced business environment.

 

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Lexters from your competitors?

At Lexters, we combine strong legal expertise with a real understanding of how modern businesses operate, especially in technology-driven sectors. We work closely with clients to understand their business model, commercial objectives, regulatory exposure and growth plans, so that our advice is practical, business-oriented and tailored to their needs.

A key differentiator for us is our strong focus on sectors and practice areas that are increasingly interconnected: technology, AI, IP, fintech, cryptocurrency, M&A and franchising. Many of our clients operate in fast-moving environments where legal advice must keep pace with innovation, product development and regulatory change. We are particularly attentive to how AI regulation is evolving and how businesses can integrate AI responsibly and effectively into their operations.

We are also focused on integrating technology into the way we work as lawyers. We use legal tech and AI tools to simplify administrative and repetitive tasks, improve internal workflows and increase efficiency. This allows our team to dedicate more time to the strategic, high-value work that truly matters to clients: structuring transactions, assessing risk, solving complex legal issues and delivering clear, commercially relevant advice.

In addition, Lexters brings a European and transatlantic perspective, with lawyers who have experience across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, USA and France. This gives us a broader understanding of cross-border legal and business issues and helps us support clients that are scaling internationally.

Ultimately, clients work with Lexters because they want lawyers who understand both the legal framework and the commercial reality behind it. We see ourselves not only as legal advisors, but as long-term business partners.

 

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

Over the next 12 months, we expect continued growth in M&A, IP, franchising, fintech and cryptocurrency, as well as in regulatory work related to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

M&A will remain a key area of activity, as companies continue to pursue strategic acquisitions, restructuring and cross-border expansion. Even in a more cautious economic climate, businesses are focusing on consolidation, access to innovation and market positioning. This drives demand for legal support that goes beyond execution, including complex due diligence, regulatory analysis and transaction structuring, particularly where technology and IP are central to the deal.

Intellectual property is also set to grow, driven by the increasing value of software, brands, digital assets and proprietary content. The widespread integration of AI into business operations is generating new legal questions around ownership, licensing, use of data and risk allocation. As a result, both advisory work and IP-related disputes are becoming more sophisticated and technically complex.

We also see franchising gaining momentum, particularly for businesses looking to scale in a structured and efficient manner, while maintaining control over brand and operations, especially in cross-border scale-ups.

Fintech and cryptocurrency will continue to develop, largely driven by evolving regulation and the need for businesses to structure products and services in a compliant way. As the regulatory environment becomes more defined, clients require practical legal advice that aligns innovation with legal certainty.

Across all these practices, one of the main drivers is the same: the increasing intersection between technology, regulation and business strategy. Clients are looking for legal advisors who can operate across these areas and provide clear, commercially relevant guidance in a rapidly changing environment.

 

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

 One of the most transformative changes we’ve made is our commitment to integrating legal technology and optimizing our internal processes. This has not only improved the precision and speed of our work but has also allowed us to reduce the time spent on routine tasks, enabling us to focus more on high-value, strategic legal counsel for our clients.

 Additionally, we have adopted advanced legal research tools, automated contract management solutions, and client collaboration platforms to enhance efficiency and service delivery. These improvements allow us to provide faster, more cost-effective solutions while maintaining the highest quality of legal advice. Automation also helps us to respond to clients’ needs faster and more efficiently, which is crucial in today’s fast-paced business environment.

 

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

Absolutely, yes. Technology is reshaping the legal industry, and we have embraced it to improve both client communication and service delivery. As mentioned above, we are working to integrate AI into our day-to-day operations, acknowledging that it will become an integral part of what we know today as legal counselling. While the pace of change is rapid, with information flowing faster than ever before, it is essential to view technology as a powerful tool – one that, when used effectively, can streamline processes and improve outcomes without compromising the personalized, strategic advice that clients expect.

 

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

One example is our work with a client undergoing a complex cross-border M&A transaction. Beyond handling the legal due diligence and regulatory approvals, we provided strategic advice on structuring the deal to optimize tax efficiency and mitigate compliance risks. By proactively addressing potential challenges and facilitating a smooth transaction, we helped the client achieve a successful outcome.

 

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

Yes, clients increasingly seek long-term partnerships with law firms that provide not just legal guidance, but also strategic foresight, with lawyers who are proactive and can anticipate the needs of the client. In three years, we see Lexters solidifying its position in the legal market.

We aim to be a one-stop shop that can help clients navigate any kind of challenge.  Our goal is to expand our capabilities in high-growth practice areas, particularly in technology law, intellectual property, international arbitration, and regulatory compliance. These sectors are expected to experience significant demand, and we are committed to ensuring our team has the specialized expertise needed to navigate these complex and rapidly evolving fields.