Rob Horgan
THEY may operate in the farthest-reaching corners of the globe, but the team at Konsell Abogados & Asesores has a distinct feel much closer to home.
Operating out of Jerez, the international legal and tax firm has clients scattered across every continent, yet remains dedicated to getting to know each of them on an individual level.
Working with people in Europe, Japan, Canada and even Singapore, Konsell’s lawyers pride themselves on putting their clients’ needs first.
With a team of nine, including three paralegals, director and senior lawyer Jose Manuel Diaz explains that the ‘Konsell ethos’ is to do best by the client.
“Because we have a relatively small team we have the luxury of being able to hand-pick our clients,” he says.
“We only take on people we can help. We explore which avenues we can go down to help them and then if it works for us and the client then we go ahead with a customised strategy.”
He added: “The most important thing for us is getting justice for the client. On occasions when a client cannot afford to pay straight away we make an allowance in order to get justice.”
Set up in 2013 alongside partner Antonio Lara, Konsell covers everything from property purchase – sale, rentals claims and town planning applications to inheritance, wills disputes and tax matters.
During the last three years the firm has successfully won several ‘big cases’. These include overturning a €70,000 tax fine for a Dutch client, as well as reversing a €95,000 administrative fine imposed on a British-run Marbella beach restaurant, and winning a critical foreclose case against a bank for a group of Brits.
Studying at Cadiz university, boss Diaz underwent postgraduate specialist training in Madrid and Sevilla before cutting his teeth at a big law firm.
“I’m always looking to build on my knowledge,” Diaz said. “Every strand of law needs specialist training.”
But after almost two decades in the business it was time to be his own boss from the comfort of his hometown in Jerez.
However, the biggest threat to Diaz’s success is perhaps his 20-year-old daughter Gloria!
Currently studying to become a lawyer and business administrator Diaz jokes that she has threatened to open a rival firm.
“It is great to see her going into law and business,” he said. “We have talked about her one day maybe taking over the reins at Konsell but she is determined to make it on her own first.
“She has even threatened to open a rival firm.”
The father of two is in no such danger from his 16-year-old daughter Alicia, who is preparing herself to study Psychology.
A fully registered Professional Services Firm, Konsell offers specialist international services including legal and tax advice, strategy design and planning, solutions implementation, legal representation, negotiation, mediation and litigation.
And as registered members of the AEA, International Lawyers Network, Konsell provides legal support in more than 60 countries.
The firm also offer advice on estate planning, business consulting, company formation, and intellectual property.
• For more information visit www.konsell.com or call 956 33 00 83
