Interview with: Yasser Hashem, Managing Partner

What do you see as the main points that differentiate Zaki Hashem Partners Attorneys At Alaw from your competitors?

EMEA Legal Counsels has grown exponentially in the Middle Eastern and European legal sector due to its capacity in successfully handling Dispute Resolution on the local and international scale, thanks to its extensive expertise and network of affiliated offices across 63 countries around the globe.

Over the past years, the firm handled over a 112 Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Arbitration and Recovery claims for clients amongst which are Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG), Nasco France, Nasco Reinsurance Brokers, AXA Middle East, Mclarens Loss Adjusters, AMAN Insurance, Al Ittihad Al Watani Insurance Company, ADIR, Platinum Holding Invest. The firm also advised a number of banks like Byblos Bank and Arab Bank.

The firm has become one of the fastest growing practices  not only operating in Lebanon, but also in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Saving the energy, resources and costs for our clients is one our Top Priority. This is one of the firm’s competitive advantage around the world when most Law Firms are not very keen or do not have sufficient resources to take into account the specific needs of international clients.

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

Each member of our team is looking constantly to grow its expertise on his/her various fields of expertise, The firm is looking to grow its ability in finance and International trade as well as in cross border dispute resolution, a field that we have been specializing in for the last decade.

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

The firm’s presence in 3 continents has provided it with an extensive global network of affiliated offices. I would like to look at EMEA Legal Counsels not only as an International modern law firm but also as a practice that thrives to put all the capabilities of latest technologies and practices at hand in the service of its team.

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

Our firm as of 2017 has introduced a client friendly communication system to help produce an easier interaction. The system provides a quick and easy access to consigning requests and inquiries directly from our website, for clients to reach out to our team more quickly and more easily.

On a another note, our internal committee is studying the possibility of implementing a new digitalized filing system according to which existing clients will have retrieve their files online using a username and a password to allow them almost effortless access to their own digital filing cabinet at anywhere and at any time.

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

EMEA Legal Counsels manages the legal portfolio of its clients worldwide. Our team provides support to clients in three continents. The client deals with one entity, one contact for all its businesses around the Globe. This results in clients not wasting time and energy to observe the legal processes, at the expense of the development of their own business. Where making such much-needed space for our clients is nowadays essential for them to be free to grow in their own sectors and specialties, by trusting us to handle the legal aspect, and undertake fits challenges.

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

in 2018, our internal committee took a decision to increase efforts on the growth of the firm both on the local and the International scale. This was concretized not only by the endeavours undertaken to grow the firm’s portfolio but to make our existing clients even more satisfied by giving them strategic directions to help keeping their businesses stable. Growing steadily in the past few years, our aim in the next three  is to keep to existing clients and to accelerate the firm’s growth and its capabilities.