Interview with: Soulla Dionysiou, Founder and Managing Director

Soulla Dionysiou, founding partner of S. Dionysiou & Partners LLC explains how the firm is adapting to clients’ changing needs.

 

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate DIONYSIOU & PARTNERS LLC from your competitors?

At S. Dionysiou & Partners LLC, we pride ourselves on several key aspects that set us apart from our competitors.

We prioritize identifying our clients’ unique needs and objectives. By taking a personalized approach towards each case, we craft tailored legal solutions that address specific challenges while aligning with our clients’ long-term goals. As a result, this bespoke approach guarantees that our clients do not just receive legal advice, but also strategic guidance that adds real value to their businesses. Moreover, we recognise the importance of clear and timely communication in fostering strong client relationships. Our commitment to proactive communication means that clients are kept informed at every stage; we prioritize accessibility, ensuring that clients can reach us easily through various channels of communication to discuss any issues, receive updates, or seek clarification on legal matters.

Our team is comprised of highly skilled and experienced legal professionals across diverse practice areas, including corporate law, real estate, commercial litigation, tax law, and immigration services, among others. This plethora of expertise allows us to tackle each case holistically and offer comprehensive legal services under one roof, alleviating the need for clients to engage multiple service providers for different matters.

Furthermore, in an ever-evolving legal landscape, we welcome innovation so that we stay ahead of the curve. From adopting advanced legal technology to continuously upgrading our processes, we strive to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our services. By leveraging innovative tools and methodologies, we deliver results that exceed client expectations while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

 

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

Taking into account the trends and predictions that have been observed over the past year, in our view, the following practices may see growth in Cyprus in the next 12 months:

Investment Immigration: Cyprus remains an attractive destination for investors seeking residency through investment programs such as the Permanent Residency Program and the implementation of the Business Facilitation Unit. Furthermore, the recent amendments to the Cyprus naturalisation of foreign nationals based on years of residence rules, along with geopolitical developments and economic instability in other countries, are expected to fuel demand for legal assistance in navigating the complexities of immigration by investment, leading up to the naturalization and obtainment of Cyprus citizenship and hence EU citizenship.

Environmental Law and Sustainability: There is a growing awareness of environmental issues and sustainability concerns around the world, including in Cyprus. As businesses and governments prioritize sustainability initiatives and environmental compliance, we anticipate an increased need for legal assistance on environmental regulations, renewable energy projects, and sustainable development issues.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection: With the increasing digitization of businesses and the implementation of strict data protection regulations, we expect a rise in demand for legal services in relation to cybersecurity and data privacy. Considering the risk of high fines for non-compliance, businesses are becoming more aware of the significance of protecting sensitive information, leading to a heightened focus on compliance and risk mitigation.

 

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

One fundamental change we have recently made at S. Dionysiou & Partners LLC is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to automate various processes throughout the firm. Many law firms perceive the rise of AI change as unsettling and expensive. However, we view it as an opportunity since it will be the driver of a “better, faster, and cheaper” delivery of legal services. We believe that AI technologies are mandatory if law firms want to remain competitive in 2024 and avoid the risk of becoming obsolete.

AI automation has significantly expedited our workflows, allowing us to handle cases more efficiently and deliver faster results. Tasks that previously required hours of manual labor can now be finalized in a fraction of the time, allowing us to meet strict deadlines and respond promptly to client needs.

 

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

Our services focus on providing personalized customer service. However, technology has substantially transformed the way we interact with our clients and the services we offer at S. Dionysiou & Partners LLC.

The technological advancements in our sector have enhanced our ability to provide more efficient and cost-effective services as it allowed us to streamline / automate certain repetitive processes; this in turn enabled the team to focus on more sophisticated workstreams and add real value to our clients’ businesses.

In particular, we utilize cutting-edge software for document automation, legal research, and case management, enabling us to streamline processes, minimize errors, and optimize resource allocation; this translates to faster turnaround times, reduced expenses, and ultimately, better outcomes for our clients.

Furthermore, we have implemented an electronic signature platform to streamline the digital signing of documents, removing the need for physical exchanges of originals and thus making the process more time-efficient and also eco-friendly.

Finally, we have integrated a compliance tool in order to ensure that the companies under our administration comply with all their annual statutory obligations and avoid any penalties.

 

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

One recent case demonstrating our commitment to adding value to our clients’ businesses is that we assisted a client, a growing construction company in Cyprus, to establish an in-house legal department. Recognizing the client’s need to streamline legal processes, reduce reliance on external legal services, and mitigate costs associated with repetitive and administrative tasks, we devised a tailored strategy to meet their objectives.

Firstly, we made a thorough evaluation of the client’s business operations, identifying areas where in-house legal expertise could bring substantial value. Leveraging our expertise in corporate law, employment law, and regulatory compliance, we worked closely with the client to define the scope and structure of their in-house legal department.

Next, we assisted the client in training legal professionals to staff the new department, ensuring they possessed the requisite skills and expertise to address the company’s legal needs effectively. Additionally, we provided guidance on how to automate routine tasks, streamline document management, and enhance workflow efficiency. By establishing an in-house legal department, our client was able to significantly reduce legal costs associated with repetitive and administrative tasks and gain greater control and oversight over their legal affairs.

 

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

At S. Dionysiou and Partners LLC, we acknowledge that clients constantly pursue stability and strategic guidance from their lawyers, especially in today’s dynamic legal and business environments. In this regard, we are committed to, not merely meeting, but surpassing our clients’ expectations by providing unwavering stability and clear strategic direction in our legal services. Additionally, we strive to keep our clients well-informed about legal developments that affect their businesses.

In three years’ time, we picture our firm as a trusted partner, firmly navigating our clients through intricate legal landscapes with assurance and transparency. Our strategic trajectory revolves around several core principles that correspond with our clients’ evolving needs:

Strategic Expansion and Development: While maintaining our commitment to excellence and personalized service, we also plan to strategically expand our practice areas and geographic reach to better serve our clients’ diverse needs. This includes exploring opportunities for growth in emerging sectors and markets, as well as strengthening our presence in key industries and regions.

Innovation: In an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting market dynamics, we acknowledge the significance of innovation in delivering cutting-edge legal solutions. Needless to say, we will continue to invest in technology, embrace innovative practices and on the development of our team to enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and quality of our services, staying ahead of the curve in an increasingly digital world.

Client-Focused Approach: Our commitment remains unwavering in prioritizing our clients’ interests. By nurturing robust relationships founded on trust, transparency, and effective communication, we strive to anticipate and address our clients’ challenges proactively, ensuring that their demands are fulfilled.