Franke & De la Fuente, one of the Costa del Sol's most innovative and established law firms, has taken a further step in its expansion by opening its fourth office in Marbella, strengthening its position as a leading provider of legal advice to international investors in real estate and tax law.
The new office, located in a modern 263 square metre space at Calle Sierra Blanca, 1, 8º C, Marbella, was inaugurated at an event attended by international clients and local authorities, including Isabel Cintado, Delegate for Social Rights, Equality and Diversity and José Eduardo Díaz, Delegate for Human Resources, Town Planning, Public Safety, Industry and Public Roads. The evening, set by DJ Jordi Ruz, reflected the innovative and avant-garde approach that characterises the firm.
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A pioneering law firm in the use of Artificial Intelligence
What sets Franke & De la Fuente apart from other law firms is its firm's firm commitment to technological innovation. The firm is integrating state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence in the management of its clients' legal procedures, becoming the first law firm on the Costa del Sol to apply AI technology to optimise the monitoring of legal processes. This tool will offer an agile service adapted to the demands of an increasingly digital market.
Miguel Ángel de la Fuente, founding partner, comments: ‘Our aim is to be at the forefront of legal services, offering solutions that respond to the needs of the modern investor, who demands not only personalised attention, but also speed and precision in the execution of their projects’.
Referring to this initiative, Peter Franke, founding partner of the firm, adds: "What really sets Franke & De la Fuente apart is our constant commitment to innovation. We are not only looking to be a leader on the Costa del Sol, but also to expand our presence, catering to the growing demand from international clients. Our goal is to consolidate our position as one of the leading international law firms specialising in legal services, with plans to expand into other key regions in Spain and abroad in the coming years’.
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A demanding and international client profile
Franke & De la Fuente ‘s typical client is an international investor with high purchasing power, attracted by the real estate potential of the Costa del Sol, one of the most dynamic regions in Europe. These investors, coming from countries such as the UK, Sweden, Germany, United Arab Emirates and beyond, are looking for luxury properties, both residential and commercial, and require legal advice to ensure legal certainty and maximise their investment.
Currently, 35% of property sales on the Costa del Sol are to foreign investors, who see the region not only as a holiday destination, but also as an ideal place to establish their permanent residence. Marbella and the Costa del Sol have established themselves as epicentres of luxury residential tourism, with more than 4,000 real estate transactions registered in Marbella in 2023, according to data from the Spanish Association of Registrars and the Land Registry.
The profile of these investors goes beyond the acquisition of exclusive properties; many are moving in with their families, which is transforming the region's social and economic landscape. More than 63,000 foreign residents are registered in the province of Málaga, and more than 6,700 foreigners were registered in Marbella in 2023. These figures indicate a 20% growth since the pandemic, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) and the Municipal Register of Marbella, consolidating the Costa del Sol as a key destination for high-end investors. This trend has driven the demand for specialised services in international education, quality healthcare and luxury catering, tailored to the needs of this international population.
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Innovation and Accessibility: Lawyers at the Service of All
In its commitment to accessibility and inclusion, Franke & De la Fuente not only stands out for its use of advanced technology, but also for being an inclusive law firm. Its team of 25 professionals, spread across four offices in Marbella, Estepona and Fuengirola, speak 7 languages, including sign language, ensuring that no client is excluded due to language or hearing barriers.
From December 2022, the firm has appointed Francesca Pienariu as partner, who at 32 years of age heads the Estepona office and business area, a rare occurrence in the legal sector, where it is rare for such young female legal advisors to reach the position of partner. ‘We believe in the talent of our lawyers and we want to give them opportunities if they show effort and dedication,’ says Julian de la Fuente, reaffirming the firm's commitment to young talent and equal opportunities.
The firm also makes intensive use of social media as a platform for communication and training, accumulating thousands of views on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. "Our social media video content planning is aimed at making the legal world more accessible and easier to understand for everyone. This approach has not only allowed us to connect with a wider audience, but has also driven impressive organic growth of over 420% in just one year. We now receive hundreds of thousands of views, comments and enquiries on a daily basis," says Manuel Soriano, director of marketing and events at Franke & de la Fuente Abogados.
Training for the real estate sector
With a clear vision of the need to raise the level of professionalism in the real estate sector, Franke & De la Fuente has launched its Training Academy, aimed at training real estate agents with the necessary legal knowledge to operate on the Costa del Sol. "In this region there is no compulsory licence to work as an agent, which creates a significant training gap. Our Academy aims to fill this gap by offering basic training, open to anyone who wishes to acquire a solid grounding in the legal aspects of the sector," says Franke.
The courses, which are held quarterly at The Pool coworking space, have been a resounding success since their launch. The first two editions of the €60 introductory course quickly sold out, reflecting the high demand for training in the sector. Given this success, Franke & De la Fuente plans to expand the offering with the creation of more advanced courses that allow professionals to delve deeper into specific topics and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive real estate market. The next edition of the course will be held in January 2025.
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Sustained growth
Franke & De la Fuente ‘s growth is testimony to the quality of its work. In the last three years, the firm has grown from a small firm of three lawyers to 25 professionals and four offices. In 2023, they handled more than 300 real estate transactions, including the sale and purchase of homes, hotels and plots of land. By 2024, it is estimated that the firm will exceed 400 transactions, with ambitious expansion plans that include opening new offices both in other regions of Spain and abroad.
Franke & De la Fuente continues to revolutionise the legal sector on the Costa del Sol, offering its international clients innovative, accessible solutions adapted to the demands of the 21st century.