“We’re mulling development in criminal law, intellectual property. We’re thinking of setting up a more specialized practice in these fields as there’s demand from clients. Also, in the public acquisition area we’ve seen client demand rise lately and we’re considering whether we will have to hold lawyers working only in this field,” stated Dragne.
Until the end of last year and the first part of this year, litigation had the biggest contribution to the firm’s receipts. Of the 26 lawyers, 21 are involved in litigation files. The firm’s clients include Cetelem IFN and K&S Electric Power Point, the developer of Electroputere shopping center of Craiova.
“We do not plan to simply launch departments. We have had and are having natural growth,” said Andreia Dumitrescu, partner at the firm.
In the intellectual property area, the firm assists one of the companies held by Micula brothers, Transilvania General Import Export, in a litigation with Red Bull.
“The weight of litigation in our activity grew further against the previous year, but we have had new demand on the consulting services side,” explained Dragne.
According to Dumitrescu, the firm is involved in “major real estate project” where it assists developers. Consulting demand many times comes from clients that had contracted the firm for litigation.
Basically, though, the firm coordinated by Ion Dragne is known for litigation. On the other hand, arbitrage, coming with the advantages of confidentiality, solving speed and discussion flexibility, is no longer an as good option as it used to be.
Toward yearend, the firm’s receipts were on the rise. In a discussion before the new status of the lawyer profession came into effect, Dragne estimated receipts would post “solid growth”, meaning the firm went beyond the EUR2 million mark last year. Toward the end of last year, though, around 10%-12% of sums to be received from clients had not been paid, yet, according to lawyers.
The new status bans lawyers to mention financial figures, the clients the firm assists or the projects the firm is involved in.
For this year, Dragne estimates the stagnation “everybody has forecast” is not a reality. “We cannot deny money is more difficult to earn, but we do not feel threatened. Clients are not as wealthy as in 2006-2008. From this reason, everybody negotiates fees more, has more difficulty in paying, but one can live well,” the lawyer also said.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)