The 10th BEST LEGAL Conference took place on October 10, 2024, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol, gathering around 150 delegates from Cyprus and abroad. Supported by the Cyprus Bar Association, the event attracted representatives from law firms, business founders, and embassy officials based in Cyprus. This year’s theme, Lawyers Meet Expats, focused on networking and took on a unique ‘Unconference’ format, designed to foster open discussion and personalized connections.

The morning session offered delegates the opportunity for 1-on-1 meetings arranged through a specialized platform, allowing participants to connect individually before the official sessions began. Following this, the first panel discussion featured a group of expat business founders, including:

• John Abraham – Founder and CEO of AEON Payment Technologies

• Vladimir Vishnevskiy – Partner at Quonota Investments

• Sergey Orlovskiy – Founder of Helio Games, Astrum Nival, Luden.io, and Uviz.io

Moderated by Sara Gunnervik, Partner at Kendris (Cyprus), the panelists explored the unique challenges they face operating in Cyprus. A key theme was the need for personalized legal support, as founders noted an increased demand for lawyers who provide customized services at every stage of business growth. The discussion also addressed AI’s evolving role in potentially automating some legal services, emphasizing the importance of adaptability for modern legal professionals.

The second panel session featured leading Cypriot lawyers who provided insights based on the concerns raised by the expat founders. Panelists included:

• Stella Koukounis – Managing Partner of Solsidus Law

• George Economides – Partner at E&G Economides LLC and Vice-Chairman of Totalserve

• Marilia Paraschou – Founder of M. Paraschou Law

• Alexey Rudenko – Managing Partner at A.Rudenko LLC

Natalia Kardash, chairwoman of the BEST LEGAL Conference and founder of the Successful Business Leaders’ Club, moderated the panel. The discussion covered a range of issues, from legal requirements for expat business integration to regulatory adjustments, with panelists offering actionable strategies and resources for overcoming these challenges.

Following the panels, the event hosted an interactive Q&A session, allowing delegates to engage directly with the speakers. The final session featured a moderated networking session, encouraging further dialogue between lawyers and expats. The conference concluded with an Anniversary Cocktail Networking event, celebrating ten years of fostering connections between the legal sector and the international business community in Cyprus.

The organizers extended their gratitude to all participants, with special thanks to supporters and sponsors Lextax and 4Sight Group, media sponsors Digital Tree Group, and communication partners Panis Media and CBG.