Law is undoubtedly a noble profession. It is necessarily associated with passion, commitment, development, constant improvement and availability.
The minimum educational requirement for admission to the legal profession is a Law degree, as well as compliance with the regulatory requirements for admission to the mandatory professional internship, and the other requirements established by the Bar Association.
The traditional perception of the legal profession, centred on court disputes and the litigation model of Lawyers pleading in court and fighting high-profile criminal and/or family cases, is no longer the defining feature of contemporary legal practice.
The global economy has intensified the export of resources—goods and people—and created Business Law. This focuses on providing legal support to companies and entrepreneurs in diverse areas such as company formation and structuring, business agreements, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, compliance and regulatory matters, dispute resolution, and intellectual property. In short, it involves monitoring all transactions in the corporate and capital markets sectors, as well as specific business transaction issues.
Some consider this practice to be a complete departure from the traditional Lawyer's role and question whether Lawyers like us, who specialise in Transaction Law, can (still) be considered true Lawyers.
We are undoubtedly Lawyers! We act on behalf of and in the interests of our clients, applying the ethical standards of the profession and providing specialised knowledge and technical legal support. We focus pragmatically and have strong negotiating skills. Our approach is often less positivist, tending towards negotiation and balance in search of flexible and rapid solutions. This approach often “disturbs” the staunch defenders of classic Law and litigation.
Being a Lawyer, particularly in Business Law, requires a strong focus on specialisation and keeping up to date with International Law, which is multifaceted in many respects. It also requires foreign language skills (particularly English), sensitivity to the influence of foreign law in transnational transactions, and a willingness to immerse oneself in complex projects with challenging deadlines.
Business Lawyers are key players in the corporate world, where they must combine legal expertise with an acute sense of business acumen and (high) risk management. They adopt tailored yet considered legal solutions that offer maximum protection against interpretational difficulties, thereby minimising the risk of litigation.
Business law keeps pace with technological innovation, the pressures of contemporary life, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices, the flexibility of organisational structures within companies and talent management.
Passion for Law in Business Law is fuelled by innovative transactions and grows alongside significant contemporary changes and new approaches.
New talent and future Business Lawyers are advised to demonstrate a high level of dedication and be open to specialisation, globalisation and flexibility to navigate the world of business transactions at the highest level, while also striking a challenging balance between their professional and personal lives.
Given the male-dominated nature of the transaction universe, female Lawyers are advised to focus on promoting diversity, asserting themselves without hesitation, never giving up and continuing on their current path, which has been one of unquestionable success despite the difficulties!
Article by: Emanuela Vunge
