Member Spotlight – Gonzi & Associates: A Boutique Law Firm that Loves Tech

For a boutique law firm Gonzi & Associates has gathered expertise in a surprisingly wide array of practice areas.

The firm has also embraced technology and financial services, and more importantly, developed the ability to connect both fields. Managing Partner David Gonzi tells us more about his firm.

For those that don’t know Gonzi & Associates, can you provide some background on the firm?

Gonzi & Associates is a boutique law firm founded in 2002 with offices in Valletta focusing primarily on providing legal advice in the fields of financial services, information technology and corporate and commercial law.

The firm offers its range of legal services to a diversified client base, including well-known local and multinational companies. It has assisted a number of companies to set up, license and maintain their investment services, financial institution, or blockchain operations in Malta.

The firm has a corporate services arm licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) to incorporate and maintain companies in Malta. It is the exclusive Maltese member of Pangeanet, an international network of independent law firms.

Can you share a little-known fact about Gonzi & Associates?

Whilst, as a profession, lawyers are not generally known for their competence with technology, we like to think of ourselves as tech-savvy lawyers. We love new technologies and the way the law struggles to catch up.

What are you currently working on and what are your firm’s plans and strategic priorities for the coming years?

The influx of compliance and regulatory related obligations presents both challenges and opportunities to law firms in Malta. Our strategic priority over the next year is to leverage our expertise in our current areas of specialisation and focus on providing advice on regulation, AML and compliance, offeri

ng representation to clients particularly during related litigation procedures.

Are there any projects/achievements of your company that you are exceptionally proud of?

In the past, we were one of the first law firms to successfully assist a client apply in Malta for a financial institution licence providing electronic money. More recently, the firm assisted with the registration of what, to our knowledge, is the first smart company in Malta – a company which has all its shares registered as tokens on the Blockchain.

What in your opinion makes Malta an effective jurisdiction to set up a business?

Key to Malta’s success has been the ability to attract and support new businesses and incentivise investment. This has over the years created a pro-business environment largely attributed to the growth of service-focused businesses in fields such as ICT, the financial services industry and fintech. As a member of the European Union, Malta benefits from constant regulation and monitoring, ensuring that the jurisdiction maintains the highest regulatory standards.

What kind of people/companies in the financial services community would you want to connect with?

While the firm can assist any client operating or interested in operating in Malta in the financial services space, we are particularly interested in connecting with companies focusing on providing digital financial services and differentiated payment products.

Bio:

David Gonzi is Managing Partner of Gonzi & Associates, Advocates. With nearly 20 years of experience in the provision of legal services, he has assisted various companies with obtaining Malta licences for investment services, financial institutions, e-money and payment services. He has a Masters (MA) in Financial Services from the University of Malta, a Masters in IT and Telecoms Law (LLM) from the University College of London, a Doctorate of Law from the University of Malta and a Diploma in Taxation from the Malta Institute of Taxation.