Michalis Economides studied at Queen Mary University of London and University College London (UCL) before becoming a Barrister-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn.

As he tells GOLD, the idea of founding his own law firm began to take shape during his legal studies.

“When I was in the UK, I had the privilege to work in a major law firm, handling various arbitrary, corporate and court cases. Through my interactions with fellow professionals and my experience of operating in that environment, I realized that the legal profession could fulfil me and give me a solid purpose: offering advice and services to business and individuals, assisting in dispute resolution and providing solutions to personal or business problems”.

Michalis Economides decided to follow his instincts regarding the profession, and as he gave more thought to what he could do to contribute to any changes and improvements, he moved a step further:

“I realized that, to make the desired changes, I needed to have my own law firm, and that is what led to the formation of Chambersfield Economides Kranos.”

Seven years after its establishment, Chambersfield Economides Kranos has a physical presence in nine countries.

Its experienced team of lawyers undertakes cases that fall within the scope of litigation and arbitration, corporate and commercial law, admiralty and shipping, banking and finance, competition law, criminal law, debt recovery, employment law, energy law, European law, family law, immigration law, tenancy issues, intellectual Property law, internet business law, real estate and tax law.

Meanwhile, the firm’s sister company, GFA Trust, provides corporate, fiduciary and commercial services in more than 21 jurisdictions.

“The uniqueness of Chambersfield Economides Kranos mainly relies on the composition of its team,” says the founder. “Our team consists of experienced, determined, highly educated and knowledgeable professionals sharing an unparalleled passion for their profession. They embrace the firm’s vision and recognize that each case is important and unique, irrespective of the client’s status. Consequently, we personalize our recommendations and solutions to enhance the materialization of each client’s goal”.

Of course, the journey has not been easy, given that the firm was founded at what some might consider the most difficult time in the country’s recent history: April 2013.

“If I could highlight two of the most crucial challenges we have faced, I would have to mention the 2013 banking crisis, during which only essential business transactions were taking place in Cyprus, and, of course, this year’s coronavirus pandemic, which has practically stopped the world and changed global business thinking. Both of these unprecedented crises were very stressful and demanded that we implemented a thorough, open-minded and groundbreaking way of thinking in order to deal with them successfully”.

In addition to those two major crises, law firms face other significant challenges: “I believe that the legal sector needs to enter the digital era dynamically and embrace it by simplifying and speeding up all its procedures with the aim of improving communication among all the involved parties,” says Michalis Economides.

“The last decade has given us solid proof that our generation must always be alert and have a Plan B for handling crises. Nowadays, due to digitalization, there are no limits or restrictions on the flow of information, but this means that a crisis can occur at any time, spreading like wildfire and affecting national and international markets alike. So, preparation, fast response and participation in the digitalization system is essential if firms are to continue their business operations.”

The goal of the firm is to further expand its operations in the international market, aiming to offer clients comprehensive international services with a local touch.

At the same time, Chambersfield Economides Kranos will continue to implement its customer-centric approach, as it cherishes and strengthens customer relationships and develops its business operations.

“Undeniably, clients want law firms that not only offer them high-calibre legal and corporate services but are partners in this relationship, complying with the notions of loyalty, trust, professionalism, personalisation, respect and understanding,” says Michalis Economides.

“Chambersfield Economides Kranos is a law firm that prioritizes its clients’ needs and personalizes the proposed solutions in such a way that they yield exceptional results in each case or project.”

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Article Publication: Forbes Magazine April 2019

Our era is characterized by intense economic, political, social fluctuations, technological changes and complex legal conditions, which, combined with the companies’ activities in an internationalized and fully legislated environment, make the Legal Advisor an important key partner when conducting business.

The Legal Advisor, due to its specialized knowledge of the legal framework, is the most suitable partner, who meets the requirements to provide professional consulting services to the entrepreneurs.

Besides, it is no coincidence that several modern companies cooperate with law firms on a yearly basis to provide legal and advisory services, covering their entire activities range and their legal relationships with customers as well as their employees.

The importance of a Legal Advisor for the businesses is essential, especially in matters such as business’ strategic actions mainly aimed at reducing and minimizing the risks, increasing the activities as well as improving their management and operation.

The Legal Advisor in association with the entrepreneur can design and create the appropriate development conditions by implementing strategies intended to achieve the set goals.

For example, in many cases, our company has been called upon to advise and undertake the formation of strategic prerequisites for:

• Optimizing the company’s organizational structure
• Establishment of subsidiaries in more favorable jurisdictions
• Creating effective strategies for collecting outstanding amounts
• Creating strategies including corporate loan restructuring, for a more efficient management
• Drafting new trade agreements and exploiting business opportunities
• Forming franchise
• Evaluation of investments for further expansion of the existing portfolio as well as liquidation of businesses that harm and negatively affect the viability of the business and significantly increase operating expenses
• Generating strategies for improving asset performance and utilization
• Intellectual Property registration which is considered an intangible asset
• Drafting manuals for actions and procedures to be followed within the company in order to harmonize the business in accordance with:

*  The AML (Anti-Money Laundering) guidelines to prevent and combat money laundering,

*  The guidelines of the European regulation concerning the protection of personal data of European citizens in a global scale. (GDPR)

*  Τhe legal framework governing the jurisdictions in which the companies operate (Legal Audit)

My personal viewpoint is that all strategies of modern businesses must be thoroughly studied and after the proper legal guidance, to be adopted. This is mainly because the corporate and legal framework cannot be easily understood because of specific conceptual terms involved.Every transaction, agreement and operation is considered to follow the legislative framework while the legal advice ensures complete harmonization.

As a lawyer and founder of the international law firm Chambersfield Economides Kranos, I therefore advise entrepreneurs to establish a systematic partnership with a well-established law firm which specializes in corporate, commercial and labor law, has the knowledge and experience in the business, financial and investment sectors and be distinguished and well-established in the domestic and international market.

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Webinar Discussion Follows

Date: Thursday 09^th April 2020 | Time: 10:00am-11:15am

Language: English | Free Participation 

Topics Overview

• General Measures by the government – Registrar of Companies.
• Bank loans
• Tax, Social insurance, VAT
• Employment measures/issues
• Legal – default of agreements/force majeure/contracts/rent.
• The day after?
• Business Crisis Management Service

Viewers are more than welcome to submit their questions at info@eklawyers.com

The Discussion will be hosted by Chambersfield Economides Kranos law firm professionals with expertise on corporate, banking, commercial, tax and employment law.

Speakers:

Michalis Economides | Managing Director | Advocate & Legal Consultant

Louiza Georgiou | Advocate & Legal Consultant

Elena Christofi | Advocate & Legal Consultant

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In the last few years the term “StartUps” has become quite popular, despite the fact that this business model first appeared in 1950s.

“StartUps or Young Entrepreneurships” are newly established enterprises which offer innovative ideas, aim at extremely fast business development and reach a wide audience.

Their main goal is to create a model that can evolve and repeat itself.

Due to the above-mentioned characteristics, a large percentage of these companies originate from the field of technology aiming at the dynamic development of an existing idea or the creation of an innovation that will satisfy a new need.

Based on our experience, the past has repeatedly demonstrated that there is no “secret recipe for success”. Each case is different and unique, it accepts either positive or negative influences from the various changes and fluctuations that occur in the domestic and international market, as they result from the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal framework.

Due to the complexity of the aforementioned factors as they arise from the markets, especially from the legal perspective, it is important for StartUps companies, from the conception of the idea until its realization, to cooperate with a law firm specializing in company and business law. Embracing this approach, you directly ensure the protection of the newly established company, the implementation of the correct procedures and due diligence on the points of cooperation. It also prevents uncertainties on terms and conditions, while providing legal and business advices at every stage of the business development.

Although each case is unique, we have noticed that there are common legal questions about the establishment of the StartUp corporate entity, such as:

• Which is the most appropriate type of forming a corporate entity for a “StartUp” company?

The most popular corporate entity of a “StartUp” type is the Limited Liability Company (LTD). This is because the company is a separate legal entity and the responsibility of the owners and shareholders is limited to their share of the investment capital, without any extension to their personal assets, unless of course the case is of a criminal nature.

• Where will the headquarters of the new entity’s StartUp be?

Because of the European Union as well as globalization, a “StartUp” company can choose its headquarters among multiple jurisdictions. Cyprus is one of the most popular jurisdictions for the incorporation of a company since it has a straightforward taxation system and a 12.5% corporate tax, one of the lowest in Europe. In addition, among others reasons, Cyprus has more than 60 double taxation treaties established with other countries, is a Member State of the European Union, operates in a favorable tax regime, has a low to zero retention of dividend taxes, any financial losses of a company may be transferred against future profits for an indefinite period, while the company registration is quick and immediate.
Additionally, Cyprus’s investment strategy is strongly supported by the government and is constantly creating new business opportunities.

• How long does it take to establish a new legal entity in Cyprus?

7 – 9 days

• What is the appropriate structure / organization chart of the new legal entity “StartUp”?

The appropriate structure / organization chart of the new legal entity depends on a case-by-case basis; however, it is explained in a descriptive way in the Memorandum and Article of Association, defining the relations of the contracting parties.

• What should be mentioned in the Memorandum and Article of Association of the new legal entity?

The Memorandum and Article of Association mentions, all general terms as well as specific, all the conditions that ensure and regulate the relations of all the Contracting Parties involved, as they result from the legislative framework of the jurisdiction in which the new legal entity will operate.

• How will the ownership of partners and / or shareholders and employees be divided in the new legal entity?

The drafting of a shareholders’ agreement defines, inter alia, their obligations and rights, their meetings, the decision-making process to be followed, the terms and conditions of a voluntary resolution and the provision of the necessary mechanisms for the immediate settlement of disputes between the parties.

• What contracts are needed to ensure the stable and continuous development of the new legal entity?

It is wise to have shareholders and employee contracts that will define and clarify the relationship of all the parties involved.

• Is the drafting of a Privacy and Confidentiality Agreement needed?

Because of the innovative nature of “StartUps”, it is advised to draft a Privacy and Confidentiality Agreement when two or more members exist, to preserve the idea until the new entity has its proprietary intellectual property in its possession.

• Do the “StartUps” need to register their intellectual property?

The main competitive advantage and the most important predictor of StartUps’ success is innovation. Therefore, safeguarding and protecting intellectual property is of major economic importance for the enterprises of this type.

My legal and business advice for StartUps, is to work with a law firm specialized in corporate, commercial and employment law, prior to the start of the company, which will also have the necessary knowledge and connections at an international level. This cooperation will ensure the protection of the new corporate entity while the company is in line with all procedures resulting from the legislative framework.

In addition, such cooperation is a necessary pillar for setting the right foundations of the enterprise, which can later evolve into an international “StartUp”. Unfortunately, we have repeatedly observed that the founders of companies turn to legal advisors at a later stage and they are called upon to solve various problems that could be avoided with the proper cooperation of reliable lawyers who are familiar with this company model.

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