“The volume of activities rose after the association, as did the portfolio of clients. An excellent understanding exists between Garrigues and other law firms in London and the US who, because they have no office in Romania, have begun using us,” said Mares, who became Equity Partner of the international Garrigues firm following the merger. Mares indicated that the firm’s local level target for 2009 is a turnover worth €2 million, but did not specify what its business amounted to last year.
“We are in the midst of a recruiting campaign. We intend to reach 20 attorneys in the shortest possible time. This is a suitable figure for the first year of activity,” Mares added. Salaries on the legal market rose spectacularly, so firms were obliged to offer some €1,000 for an entry level position. In spite of this, there continues to be a 30 percent deficit of lawyers, although the crisis has brought about some changes, as it is now easier to recruit and salaries are negotiated differently. Mares mentioned that the firm will continue to offer around €1,000 for entry level positions, but it will focus on recruiting experienced attorneys.
Garrigues’ local level strategy does not exclude the opening of offices outside Bucharest, if the level of business in smaller cities warrants this, and Mares indicated that the short list includes Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca and Constanta.
Its local clients include La Caixa, FCC and Riofisa.
The local business law market is dominated by Romanian firms. Other international law firms on the market are Clifford Chance, Salans, Allen&Overy, and White&Case.
