In an increasingly complex and interconnected economic environment, the role of the corporate lawyer is undergoing a radical transformation. No longer is the lawyer merely a professional who intervenes once litigation has begun, but rather a strategic figure capable of preventing legal risks, optimizing business processes, and supporting the entrepreneur in daily operational decisions. This is the so-called “ex-ante” consulting approach—one that anticipates problems instead of simply limiting the damage once issues arise. But that’s not all. The advent of new technologies—from blockchain to artificial intelligence to decentralized finance—is also generating unprecedented legal challenges. Today’s lawyer must reinterpret their role by developing new competencies to offer innovative and practical legal solutions. We spoke about this with lawyer Giovanni Palermo, legal consultant and founder of Quinta Dimensione Studio, a multidisciplinary firm that supports businesses with an integrated, agile, and future-oriented approach.
by Roberta Imbimbo
Lawyer Palermo, in Italy only 6.3% of companies make use of in-house legal resources. What does this figure tell us?
It’s a very telling number, which highlights that Italian businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises—are often not structured with stable internal legal departments. As a result, they need to rely on qualified external professionals to manage increasingly complex legal matters related to business operations. In practice, the lack of internal resources naturally fuels the demand for external legal services, making the relationship of trust between entrepreneur and lawyer not just important, but essential. It’s no longer just about providing technical assistance, but about building a long-term relationship founded on a deep understanding of the company’s dynamics and the ability to offer quick, concrete, and personalized solutions.
How has the role of the lawyer in business evolved in recent years?
I believe the role of the corporate lawyer has changed profoundly over time. Today, a lawyer can no longer limit their activity to handling litigation—they must work alongside the company continuously, becoming a true strategic advisor. The ex-ante lawyer—present, engaged, and integrated into company processes—is now indispensable for effectively tackling the daily challenges businesses face. The modern business lawyer must be versatile: supporting day-to-day operations, contributing to the attraction of investments, overseeing complex projects, and identifying concrete tools for growth, such as public funding, certifications, and strategic qualifications. Legal consulting can no longer be limited to strictly legal matters but must extend to internal organization, financial efficiency, overall cash flow improvement, and the company’s competitive positioning. In an ever-changing environment, the lawyer becomes a stable partner—someone who can build effective solutions and generate real value. This is why I’ve strongly advocated for a preventative approach with my clients, emphasizing the strategic importance of intervening before problems arise. This shift in perspective has produced tangible benefits: reduced costs—since targeted legal consulting is far less expensive than a multi-year lawsuit—and greater business resilience, thanks to litigation prevention and asset protection.
Are new technologies changing the legal landscape too? How should lawyers adapt?
Absolutely. New technologies are revolutionizing not just markets but also the regulatory framework and associated responsibilities. Just think of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), or the use of artificial intelligence in business processes. These are rapidly evolving areas, often not yet fully regulated, but which raise real and complex legal issues. The lawyer’s role must evolve accordingly: we need new tools, an open mindset, and the ability to interpret technological innovation from a legal perspective. Learning to manage new instruments to support businesses becomes essential to maintaining both domestic and international competitiveness. Today, legal risk is often tied to digital tools. Those unfamiliar with these tools risk being left behind—or worse, failing to adequately protect their clients. Ultimately, the law can no longer lag behind innovation: it must learn to move alongside it.
You founded “Quinta Dimensione Studio”, a professional partnership. Why this choice?
Because today’s business challenges are complex and require multidisciplinary solutions. No single professional can meet all the needs of a modern company. That’s the thinking behind “Quinta Dimensione Studio”: an integrated team of lawyers, engineers, architects, brokers, and accountants. We wanted to create a single point of reference for entrepreneurs—capable of delivering fast, complete, and coordinated responses. Having multiple professionals under one roof allows us to address a company’s challenges from every angle: legal, fiscal, technical, and organizational. Interdisciplinarity is now the key to providing truly valuable service—one that doesn’t just manage the ordinary, but anticipates problems and identifies real opportunities for growth and corporate stability. At Quinta Dimensione Studio, we place the entrepreneur at the center, offering tailored, coordinated services that support them through all phases of business—from day-to-day operations to long-term strategic planning.
What advice would you give a young lawyer who wants to work with businesses today?
Be curious, open to innovation, and committed to continuous learning. The business world is dynamic and complex, and the legal landscape is constantly evolving—with rapid legislative proliferation and changing case law. A young lawyer needs a cross-disciplinary approach. A purely legal education is no longer enough: one must have a 360-degree vision that encompasses economic, organizational, and strategic aspects. Only in this way can one truly understand a company’s reality and provide effective solutions. A modern lawyer must become a strategic partner to the entrepreneur—capable of interpreting the law flexibly and grasping the nuances that arise in the globalized contexts in which businesses now operate. Drafting contracts or handling litigation is still essential—but no longer sufficient. One must know how to prevent problems, read market signals, navigate public incentives, emerging technologies, subsidized finance, compliance—and transform these into opportunities. This requires meta-legal training—that is, the ability to integrate legal knowledge with economic, organizational, and technological understanding, as well as mental agility, a collaborative spirit, and the willingness to step up every day. Today’s corporate lawyer is no longer just a legal technician, but a strategic ally in the company’s growth and protection.
