Franke & De la Fuente Abogados leads legal transformation with Artificial Intelligence and inclusive accessibility
- Franke & De la Fuente is leading the legal revolution on the Costa del Sol, integrating Artificial Intelligence in its processes to offer an agile service adapted to the needs of the modern investor.
- With more than 25 professionals and 7 languages, including sign language, the firm is committed to inclusion and accessibility in legal advice to international clients.
- The firm promotes the professionalisation of the real estate sector with its Training Academy, offering specialised courses for agents, covering an important training need on the Costa del Sol.
- The firm opens its fourth office in Marbella, reinforcing its presence in a growing market, with forecasts to exceed 400 real estate transactions this 2024
Marbella, 4 October 2024 – Franke & De la Fuente, one of the most innovative and established law firms on the Costa del Sol, 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 meter space in 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, Urban Planning, Public Safety, Industry and Public Roads. The evening, set by DJ Jordi Ruz, reflected the innovative and avant-garde approach that characterizes the firm.
Pioneering firm in the use of Artificial Intelligence
What sets Franke & De la Fuente apart from other law firms is its 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’.
Regarding this initiative, Peter Franke, founder of the firm, adds: “What truly sets Franke & De la Fuente apart is our constant commitment to innovation. We not only aim to be leaders on the Costa del Sol but also to expand our presence, addressing the growing demand from international clients. Our goal is to establish ourselves as one of the leading international law firms specializing in legal services, with plans to expand into other key regions of Spain and abroad in the coming years.”
A demanding and international customer profile
The typical Franke & De la Fuente 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 choose to move in with their families, which is transforming the social and economic landscape of the region. 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 demand for specialised services in international education, quality healthcare and luxury dining, tailored to the needs of this international population.
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. Among its team of 25 professionals, spread across four offices in Marbella, Estepona and Fuengirola, seven languages are spoken, including sign language, ensuring that no client is excluded due to language or hearing barriers.
Since December 2022, the firm has appointed Francesca Pienariu as a partner, who at 32 years old leads the office and business area in Estepona—a rare achievement in the legal sector, where it is uncommon for such young female legal consultants to reach the position of partner. “We believe in the talent of our lawyers and want to provide them with opportunities if they demonstrate effort and dedication,” notes 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 video content planification on social media is aimed at making the legal world more accessible and easier to understand for everyone. This approach has not only allowed us to engage with a broader audience, but it has also driven remarkable organic growth—over 420% in just one year. We now receive hundreds of thousands of views, comments, and inquiries daily,” says Manuel Soriano, Head of Marketing and Events at Franke & de la Fuente Abogados.
Training for the real estate industry
With a clear vision of the need to raise the level of professionalism in the real estate industry, 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 Peter Franke, founding partner of the firm.
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 Academy will take place in January 2025.
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 residential, hotel and land sales and purchases. By 2024, the firm is expected to surpass 400 transactions, with ambitious expansion plans that include opening new offices 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.
For further information:
Teba Siles
Mobile: 696 321 130
