Legally On the Move: Careers, Tech & Insights from Dubai – Janine De Keersmaecker – E14

You can hear Rob and Janine discussing:

– Human-Centred Lawyering at Argentum Law

– Diversity and Inclusion in the UAE Legal Sector

– Legal Tech and AI Integration

– The Challenges of Scaling Businesses in the UAE

– Leveraging Technology and Remote Support to Create a Flexible Work Environment

Connect with Janine here: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/janine-de-keersmaecker-37762b

Argentum Law: https://www.argentumlaw.com/

Transcript

00:00

Welcome to Legally on the Move.

00:02

Careers, tech and insights from Dubai.

00:04

In this exclusive miniseries of the Legally Speaking podcast, we’re taking you to the heart of Dubai, a global hub for legal innovation, cutting edge technology and transformative career opportunities.

00:15

Here’s what you’ll gain.

00:16

Career inspiration, unlock the secrets to thriving in Dubai’s dynamic legal market, tech trends, dive into how AI, blockchain and legal tech are reshaping the industry, diversity and leadership, hear from trailblazers,is driving inclusivity and innovation in the UAE and global perspectives explore how Dubai’s unique blend of tradition and ambition is creating a thriving legal ecosystem.

00:40

Recorded in iconic locations, these episodes bring you the energy and insights of one of the world’s most exciting legal hubs.

00:48

Don’t just listen, experience the future of law.

00:50

Ready to move forward with us?

00:52

Let’s go.

00:53

So welcome to the Legally Speaking podcast, Name, Title and Firm.

00:59

My name is Janine De Keersmaecker.

01:02

I’m a principal at Argentum Law.

01:04

You are indeed, and it’s an absolute pleasure to be recording with you live here in Dubai.

01:10

Yeah, and it’s been many years since we’ve actually connected.

01:13

First time in person, but from over the years, so it’s nice to do this and have the opportunity to do it with you.

01:17

But let’s get into it.

01:18

Let’s talk about legal disruption, particularly within the UAE.

01:22

We’ve just been at a legal event together today, Tech Focus, very exciting.

01:26

How is Argentum Law, in short,Shaping legal services, our chance for law is reshaping legal services through the use of technology in the 1st place, but also through really focusing on…

01:42

It’s people, not only our team of lawyers, but also our clients.

01:46

So we like to say that we are doing human-centered lawyering.

01:50

At the big firms, very often you become just a number.

01:54

I really liked when I joined Argentum 7 years ago.

01:58

Everything is very personal.

02:00

Also, to work with startups and entrepreneurs make things very relatable.

02:06

Yeah, Argentum Law is really trying to be a lifestyle firm.

02:10

I think that’s another thing where we’re making a difference.

02:13

We really like to focus on creating a balanced life for our lawyers, and that is also possible through technology and through working remotely.

02:23

Yeah, and I love that, and you know, it allows people, if you do have a passion, to be more than a lawyer, right, and to be able to carry that through.

02:30

Okay, let’s talk about impact-driven businesses then, because you advise companies from startups to expansion.

02:36

What’s the biggest legal challenges for businesses looking to try and scale within the UAE?

02:42

A regulatory framework, I would say, as they scale, a lot more regulations might apply to them.

02:48

And also just compared to seven years ago, for example, there are just a lot more new regulations.

02:54

So as they grow, the landscape is becoming more sophisticated.

03:00

But also that they don’t really think about corporate structuring from the start.

03:05

So they probably only consult a lawyer when it’s already too late.

03:10

So they don’t think forward necessarily.

03:13

And we really come in thinking about what would be the best setup for investors to come in for incentive plans for employees and so on.

03:22

So it’s really the scaling vision.

03:24

Recently we’ve incorporated corporate service provider business as well, so we can actually help them with settingup whole companies in the AGM and the DFC.

03:34

Which is a huge value add knowing the amount of work that goes into that as well.

03:39

I know something else that you’re passionate about and something we’re passionate about here on The League’s Podcast as well is diversity and inclusion.

03:45

So you’ve been recognized for championing diversity.

03:49

How can the UAE legal sector further promote inclusivity?

03:53

The UAE is already doing a great job, really incredible job.

03:56

Did you know that this is one of the few countries that actually has a 50% female parliament?

04:03

That’s exceptional.

04:04

Yeah.

04:05

So we already are in a context where also just through the diversity of, you know, the differentcultures, we’re in a very diverse context, but I like to look at diversity and inclusion from a community perspective.

04:19

I like to really create a space where people feel they belong, that they kind of have found their tribe.

04:28

So I think from a structural point of view, there’s a lot of stuff already in place, but of course, there are also still some culturalElements that might create a landscape that is a little more diverse than you would see at first sight.

04:44

Yeah, no, I’m with you.

04:45

I’m with you, and I think, like you say, I think Dubai and the UAE is doing a great job, and that statistic that you said in terms of 50% on the government is brilliant.

04:52

You know, we’re all for that.

04:54

Let’s switch back to technology, because Agentum Law uses Clio.

05:00

What do you like about it?

05:01

Clio is fantastic.

05:02

It’s very user-friendly, it’s great with generating reports, showing data.

05:07

There is really power in data, especially if you have to manage a firm and if you have a team of lawyers that are working remotely all over the world, you know, like at least you have this collection point, Clio thattranslates what they’re doing, how involved they are.

05:25

But then also as an originator in the firm, having an overview of your clients, the invoices that you’ve built over all the years, just to have this all gathered in one place and easily accessible to everyone.

05:38

Yeah, no, absolutely.

05:39

And data is the new one and the current goal, isn’t it?

05:41

So I think if you can get access to that, you can make far better informed decisions.

05:45

And yeah, I like the fact that you’re really utilizing it.

05:47

Okay, before I let you go, I want to talk about looking forwards in terms of the future ofcorporate law within the UAE?

05:53

What are the key trends that will shape corporate law and indeed M&A within the UAE over the coming years, in your opinion?

05:59

Well, we talked about it at the conference, AI.

06:02

There’s still a lot of questions around it.

06:04

In the UK, you’ll also see that a lot of people are trying to come to this region.

06:09

The UAE is a very popular place right now.

06:12

I see the same thing in Belgium.

06:14

I’m working on companies coming here, like re-demonciliation projects.

06:19

So you can really feel howplace becomes more and more important.

06:24

It’s taken more and more seriously.

06:27

There’s also more regulation that creates more credibility.

06:31

So I think the future is very positive.

06:35

Yeah, we’re all for positive and I’m excited about the future.

06:38

And I’m excited we managed to make this interview happen as well.

06:40

So if folks want to know more about you, or indeed, or Jen some law, what’s the best way for them to get in touch or find out more?

06:46

Feel free to share any websites, any social media handles, and we’ll share them in this episode for you too.

06:51

Yeah, our website for sure.

06:54

LinkedIn.

06:55

There we go.

06:56

Simple.

06:56

Go to the website, check out the LinkedIn.

06:57

It just needs me to say thank you so much for joining me today.

07:00

From all of us on the Legally Speaking podcast, over and out.

07:02

Thank you.

07:03

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of our Legally on the Move from Dubai series.

07:08

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07:14

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07:16

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07:21

or visit our official website, legallyspeakingpodcast.com, for more updates and ways to get involved.

07:27

Stay tuned.

07:28

We’ll see you again soon.

07:29

Over and out.