Interview with: Dries Joseph, Managing Partner

Managing Partner Dries Joseph explains the firm rapid expansion and unique position within the legal landscape.

 

1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate DNA Law from your competitors?

As a partner in our law firm, I believe the following differentiates us from our competitors:

Our legal services excel in being able to deliver synergistic solutions that transcend traditional legal boundaries. A capability often missing amongst other, more traditional legal service providers.

The reason for this is because we, as a law firm, are embedded in a wider multidisciplinary corporate finance, accounting, audit and tax firm (Baker Tilly Belgium), and therefore are able to offer a unique advantage by seamlessly combining our legal expertise with the expertise of our other colleagues in the aforementioned fields. Our lawyers work closely with finance, tax and accounting professionals, allowing us to take a hands-on approach and swiftly make the necessary and appropriate reflections when a client explains its situation. Unlike other legal firms, we are thus not forced to unleash an army of advisers, each with their own defined expertise, on our clients. With a limited number of established contacts, we offer our clients comprehensive solutions that address both the legal and financial/fiscal aspects of our clients’ needs and do so in a highly efficient manner that is enterprise-level clear.

An additional important fact is that through our integrated approach, we streamline compliance efforts and better manage regulatory complexity. This makes us strong in helping minimise our clients’ burdens, mitigate their risks and optimise their regulatory position.

 

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

Together with our corporate finance team we were ranked number 1 in the mid-market league table of Refinitiv (60 deals). With businesses increasingly focusing on strategic transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring, we expect our corporate advisory and transactional practice to grow also this year. Our integration with Baker Tilly provides clients with comprehensive support throughout the transaction lifecycle, including due diligence, financial modeling, tax optimization, and regulatory compliance. Our holistic approach enhances deal execution efficiency and creates value for clients seeking to capitalize on strategic opportunities in the evolving market landscape.

We also recognize the increasing demand for holistic services in the field of restructuring and insolvency. To meet this growing need and further enhance our capabilities, we have recently welcomed a new partner to our law firm, Mr Rubben Lindemans. By integrating the expertise of our legal team with the financial insights provided by our colleagues from Baker Tilly, we aim to provide unparalleled support to clients navigating complex restructuring challenges. This strategic move not only reinforces our commitment to collaboration but also positions us as a one-stop solution for businesses facing financial restructuring and insolvency issues.

 

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

The most important element that benefits our clients is the ever-increasing complementarity of our office with the other Baker Tilly departments within the entire global Baker Tilly network. The resulting synergies result in swift and efficient, yet comprehensive legal service.

 

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

Clients get used to digital meetings faster and this is a convenient medium for urgent discussions.

Nevertheless, we continue to prefer physical meetings. Human contact remains indispensable in our sector and ensures a personal approach.

 

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

In November 2023, we were contacted by the board of directors and various shareholders of a Belgian company with foreign subsidiaries.

In the context of various questions concerning directors’ liability, gaps and shortcomings in the accounts were discovered in Belgium and neighboring countries. Thanks to the multi-disciplinary formation of the Belgian team, this could be acted upon quickly and we were also able to switch quickly with colleagues from our international network.

When the company, in restructured form, subsequently received takeover bids, we were able to supervise this transaction flawlessly; the team’s strength lies in providing pragmatic, high-quality advice in the short term. An approach that our clients particularly appreciated

 

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

Over the coming years, we are committed to expanding our legal expertise, laying the foundation to become a full-service law firm tailored to the diverse needs of businesses. Our vision is centered on providing comprehensive legal solutions, and to achieve this, we recognize the importance of cultivating our existing talent pool and strategically augmenting it with experienced lateral hires.

By broadening our expertise, we aim to cater to the multifaceted legal needs of enterprises, acting as a trusted legal partner throughout their journey. We are dedicated to evolving into a full-service law firm that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of businesses, providing them with unparalleled legal counsel and support.