Trends in the legal sector in Spain and Latin America in 2022

Finally we share with you the video analysis of the legal sector 2022

At Gericó Associates we have talked to some of the largest firms in Spain and Latin America and asked them about the trends in the legal sector for this year 2022.

Seven top-level partners have responded to all these questions:

• José Antonio Ambrosi, partner at Baker McKenzie Mexico.
• Sergio Barboza, partner at DLA Piper Peru.
• Claudia Barrero, partner at Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría in Colombia.
• Carlos Correa, managing partner at ONTIER Chile.
• Liz Gordillo, managing partner at Arias Guatemala.
• Mauricio Piñeros, partner at Gómez-Pinzón en Colombia.
• Pedro Rodero, managing partner at ONTIER España.

These experts, brought together by Gericó Associates, have analyzed the current situation of the sector, delving into issues such as the lessons that have remained after these two years of pandemic, which has generated not only a global health crisis, but also a social and economic one.

“We have been more careful than ever in our relationship with our clients, in our communication with them. We have been more careful than ever in monitoring our work processes, in the search for profitability and efficiency, and also in the communication and cohesion with our work teams,” says Pedro Rodero, managing partner at Ontier.

Regarding how the legal market is developing in each country’s jurisdiction, Sergio Barboza, partner at DLA Piper Peru, assures that “we are moving from a very prolonged stage of uncertainty” to a stage, in his opinion, of “relative normality” in which “the pace of growth is recovering”.

What does a General Counsel demand when hiring his or her supplier in the legal sector?

In this regard, Liz Gordillo, managing partner at Arias Guatemala, maintains that “we will continue to require the high standard of these external lawyers and seek fee agreements for fixed amounts, discarding hourly payment, except for very specific cases”.

According to Mauricio Piñeros, partner at Gómez-Pinzón, “There are basically three things: One, opportunity, permanent contact, permanent availability. Secondly, a reduction in costs, in legal fees. To be much more efficient in charging for legal services. And thirdly, I think, much more added value, not just answering what is asked”.

On the other hand, Gericó Associates has asked these seven professionals about trends in business law.

Carlos Correa, managing partner at Ontier Chile, highlights three: “First, that lawyers understand and know the business they are advising. Second, the lawyer should be flexible when structuring his or her fee proposal. They must be aligned with the client’s business. And finally, the business lawyer should not only give legal advice, but also help the client to generate business opportunities”.

As for ways to build bridges with other countries, Claudia Barrero, partner at PPU Colombia, explains that “we have a very close relationship with Uría Menéndez, which has a network of European best friends, and through that network we also build those bridges with European firms.

Regarding the competence of international business law firms in each jurisdiction, José Antonio Ambrosi says that “Spanish firms have been characterized by their professionalism. And when they grow, I would say, they do it very seriously, with knowledge of the market”.

If you want to know in depth the analysis of the legal sector made by these seven experts and their conclusions, here is the complete video:

Gericó Associates is the first legal marketing, communications and business development consultancy for law firms in Europe and Latin America. If you need advice for your law firm, please contact us.