The firm's consistent focus on excellence and responsiveness has earned DSM Avocats à la Cour an international reputation as a ‘domestic firm offering top quality work’ and ‘a mid-sized firm that can boast significant capability in acting on high-end transactions,’” says Mario Di Stefano, Partner, Avocat à la Cour at DSM Avocats à la Cour.
Mario Di Stefano (DSM Avocats à la Cour): Recruit to Support Legal Market Trends
Can you describe your company in a few words?
I founded DSM Avocats à la Cour in 2004. Currently, the firm has 25 lawyers, jurists and staff. The arrival of professionals with varied competencies has progressively expanded the range of services that we offer to our clients, making us a full-service business law firm. We are also proud to note that, apart from the trust our clients have placed in us for several years, the firm is recognized by the main legal directories such as Chambers, Legal 500 and Leaders League as one of the most reputable law firms in Luxembourg. Our main areas of expertise are commercial and business law, particularly in M&A and all aspects of real estate law, banking and finance law, direct and indirect taxation, health and life sciences, labor and employment law, as well as new technologies and digital law and data protection. We advise on these practice areas and, where we cannot avoid it, we represent our clients in dispute resolution. Beyond our legal capabilities, we rely heavily on our relationships and communication with our clients. DSM Avocats à la Cour is also a member of several independent, international legal networks allowing us to bring in legal advisors from other jurisdictions, thereby broadening our service offering to our clients.
Beyond our legal capabilities, inherent to the legal profession, we rely heavily on the relationship and communication with our clients." - Mario Di Stefano
Which risks and challenges do you identify for your firm in the competitiveness of Luxembourg?
The influx of international firms has significantly increased local competition, in particular for international clients. Additionally, the talent pool is limited and it can be difficult for certain businesses to recruit the people that fit particular requirements, a challenge for all law firms. That is also why we invest in our brand as an employer. The well-being of the firm’s members was attested by our obtaining the “Best Workplace” Luxembourg certification. Finally, housing prices are becoming problematic for people seeking employment and living in Luxembourg. DSM is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg’s Real Estate Committee and we are organizing some events to discuss the issue and attempt to find solutions, including increasing the construction of single-occupant housing.
Which legal trends do you identify and how are you adapting to them?
Well, and I’m sure we are not the only ones to get the message: ESG factors, particularly as related to the financial sectors and IT/cybersecurity are very hot topics to be addressed. The development of hybrid work is and will increasingly be a reality, with its share of legal issues such as the right to disconnection. We also understand that businesses must process an increasingly large volume of data and that requires attention to certain issues such as those associated with the GDPR and AML. Our firm has been experimenting with different types of artificial intelligence platforms built specifically for the legal sector and, while there are tradeoffs, we believe we have found the one that best suits our needs. Our experience has been that it is a useful tool but cannot replace an experienced legal professional, particularly when it comes to drafting and reviewing complex contracts.