Nowadays, the role of a legal advisor is no longer limited to knowing and applying rules. Increasingly, a lawyer is expected to act as a strategic advisor, sparring partner, and trusted confidant.
In this capacity, legal expertise alone is not enough. To perform their work properly—that is, carefully, effectively, with integrity, and with attention to all relevant aspects of a matter—it is important that the advisor shares, as much as possible, a similar business and personal “DNA” with their client. A shared personal, moral, and business understanding, grounded in the same values and principles, is the only key to success in such a collaboration.
This includes, among other things, the way someone conducts business or approaches life: their view on risks, long- and short-term interests, interactions with stakeholders, internal decision-making, and commercial objectives.
It also involves more personal, sometimes culturally or socially influenced values that guide the choices that will need to be made. Consider, for example, the importance a person places on integrity, transparency, social responsibility, empathy in dealing with others, respect for rules, and so on.
Trust as a Foundation
The relationship between lawyer and client is essentially one of trust. Without trust, there is no openness; without openness, there is no complete picture of the situation; without a complete picture, there is no proper advice. When both parties share a compatible moral and business compass, it becomes easier to understand each other and communicate honestly—even about sensitive matters.
A client who knows their lawyer is not only legally competent but also understands their business culture and values is more likely to share all relevant information spontaneously. This is especially true in complex matters where legal interests intersect with family relationships, personal frustrations, and other tensions.
Strategic Advice Requires Business Insight
A lawyer-advisor is not a neutral observer who merely inventories legal risks. They think strategically: litigate or settle, escalate or de-escalate, act publicly or exercise discretion. These choices are rarely purely legal; they directly touch on the client’s strategy, decisions, and expectations.
When a lawyer understands the entrepreneur’s business DNA, they can better tailor their advice. A company that places great value on its public reputation may prefer a solution that is legally suboptimal but prudent from a reputational perspective. A family-owned business with a long-term focus may make different trade-offs than a private equity-driven organization with a shorter investment horizon.
An advisor who does not understand these underlying drivers risks giving advice that is legally correct but strategically unusable.
Moral Consistency and Integrity
A lawyer must act in the best interests of his client. However, this does not mean executing every wish or whim uncritically. On the contrary, the lawyer must also set boundaries when a client acts contrary to the law or fundamental principles.
When the moral DNA of both parties diverges significantly, tension can arise that undermines the quality of service. This may lead to internal conflicts, hesitation, or even reputational risks for both sides.
Shared moral DNA, on the other hand, ensures consistency. A lawyer can confidently act for a client whose actions they can broadly justify. This not only strengthens the quality of advice but also enhances credibility.
Respect for All Aspects of a Matter
Proper execution of duties requires knowledge of and respect for all aspects of a case. This includes not only legal analysis but also understanding economic, societal, emotional, and sometimes political dimensions. Complex cases often involve multiple interests simultaneously.
When lawyer and client share a business and moral framework, they can weigh these different interests together. The lawyer will consider not just legal feasibility but also the impact on employees, shareholders, clients, and society. They will ask: what is legally possible, and what is responsible?
Effective Communication and Decision-Making
In practice, time is often critical. Decisions must be made quickly, sometimes based on incomplete information. When lawyer and client speak the same language—not just legally, but also in terms of values and business priorities—communication is more efficient.
The lawyer can anticipate the client’s questions and concerns because they understand the client’s mindset. The client, in turn, can more quickly grasp the nuances in the lawyer’s advice because they understand the lawyer’s moral and professional principles.
Boundaries and Diversity of Perspectives
The importance of shared DNA does not mean that the lawyer must be a copy of the client. On the contrary, professional distance and critical reflection remain essential. A good lawyer dares to challenge, suggest alternatives, and point out risks—even when it is uncomfortable.
It is not about complete uniformity, but fundamental compatibility. There must be enough common ground to understand and respect each other while preserving professional independence. Within a shared values framework, critical dialogue can be highly productive.
Conclusion
At Vanbelle Law Boutique, we have long understood the essential importance of compatible DNA in our relationships with clients and matters. That is why we call ourselves a “boutique”: a place where everything and everyone is unique—and treated as such.
As advisors, we increasingly operate at the intersection of law, economics, strategy, and ethics. To perform our work properly, we must offer more than legal knowledge and experience alone: we must move forward with you together. You need to know what you can expect from us, and we from you.
To achieve that, we must first get to know each other well. This starts with the somewhat mundane “know your client” process or initial intake, whether in the office or online. But for us, it can just as easily happen over dinner, drinks, or an enjoyable outdoor activity.
Shared DNA between lawyer and client is not a luxury—it is a prerequisite for proper, careful, and future-proof service.
We are here for you.
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