ILN-terviews: Ioana Racoti, Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu

Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Ioana Racoti of Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu in Romania.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
I am a business lawyer assisting a broad spectrum of clients, particularly in the corporate and financial sectors, in M&A, Banking & Finance, Energy, and Capital Markets matters. 

Who would be your typical client?
Local companies and multinationals with business interests and business activities in Romania, no matter the industry area they focus on.  We offer a full business law service and this enables us to support our clients in all areas of operation.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
ZRP always meets and exceeds a client's expectations, by delivering flawless and outstanding legal services.  We are always one move ahead and know how to play the winning game.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
Every project has its own particularities and characteristics, involves and develops different skills. Starting with approach, vision, innovation, legal work, team structure, capabilities, client relationship, set objectives all the way to how these objectives are achieved, make a project unique and challenging.

Still, there is one project I would like to share with you: the IPO listing on the London Stock Exchange of one of our clients - it was the first project of its kind on the Romanian market, involving a multidisciplinary team of over 10 lawyers. We worked with prestigious law firms and financial companies, and it was a great opportunity to share experience and knowledge.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
The set up of my law firm in 1996, at the age of 26, in partnership with my colleague Catalin Predoiu, at present Minister of Justice in Romania.

What do you do when you're not practicing law?
Travelling around the world. And wandering through the streets of New York at least once a year.

What would surprise people most about you?
I usually deliver bluntly my ideas and opinions, my likes and dislikes. This could sometimes take other people by surprise.

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
The Annual 2007 ILN Conference in New York, where I had the chance to meet extraordinary people and outstanding professionals.

What career would you have chosen if you weren't a lawyer?
I would have probably been a biochemist.

If a movie were made out of your life, who would you want to play you?
Definitely Uma Thurman.

How would you like to be remembered?
Professionally, as an outstanding lawyer. Personally, as a reliable friend and travel companion.