About us

FOR LAWYERS

Our vision

The recent evolution of the global landscape has brought about unprecedented transformations, reshaping the way successful businesses operate. The COVID-19 pandemic, acting as an accelerator of digital services, has ushered in a new era that demands the utmost flexibility and adaptability.

Amid these changes, WOLEP - "World Online Lawyers with Excellent Practice", the International Network of Lawyers, came into being in 2021. Since its inception, WOLEP has rapidly expanded its diverse portfolio, attracting members from over 40 countries, totaling in excess of 200 lawyers, and over 30 Law Firms worldwide (as of May 2024). As an alliance, WOLEP aims to cultivate and fortify robust professional relations, providing an avenue for lawyers to elevate their global relevance and strengthen their collaborative ties.

WOLEP's Vision:
Empowering Professional Collaboration in a Digital Era

In today's digitally integrated world, WOLEP seeks to act as a catalyst, connecting legal practitioners globally and facilitating opportunities for professional collaboration. While WOLEP acknowledges the potential of online legal consultations and document drafting, and offers the tools to do it, we’re venturing beyond mere online consultancy. WOLEP’s primary focus lies in nurturing meaningful professional connections and collaborative endeavors among its esteemed members.

The Threat of Artificial Intelligence and the Power of Teamwork

In an era where AI (Artificial Intelligence) poses a significant challenge to the legal profession, collaborative efforts among lawyers are crucial for maintaining relevance and acquiring new Clients and projects. WOLEP serves as an invaluable tool, fostering collaboration and unity within the legal community.

Facilitating Client Sharing and Win-Win Collaborations between Lawyers

One of the key facets of WOLEP lies in the successful collaboration and sharing of projects and Clients. Through our platform, member lawyers have the opportunity to engage in cross-border collaborations, share projects, and recommend peers to Clients. Members can also subcontract other lawyers from different regions, thereby broadening the scope of their professional endeavors and becoming even more valuable in the eyes of their Client. Upon the successful conclusion of a shared project, the collaborating lawyers are entitled to share the fee, ensuring a fair and reciprocal exchange within WOLEP.

Fostering Knowledge Sharing and Thought Leadership

WOLEP stands as a platform that not only encourages professional collaboration but also provides opportunities for knowledge sharing and thought leadership. Through avenues such as interviews and podcasts hosted by WOLEP, members have the chance to showcase their expertise, thus enhancing their industry visibility and gaining client leads. Additionally, the network offers thought leadership opportunities, serving as a springboard for lawyers to grow their profiles and expand their reach within the legal fraternity.

Exemplary Professionalism and Collegiate Ethics

At the core of WOLEP lies a commitment to uphold the highest standard of legal practice. Members adhere to stringent professional standards and values, including professional secrecy and independence. Through its ethical and honest peer relationships, WOLEP promotes a culture of trust, ensuring robust collaboration opportunities among lawyers.

Diversified Portfolio and Academic Extent

WOLEP offers a diversified portfolio, including specialized communities such as WOLEP Law Firms, various legal Practices (e.g., the WOLEP Corporate Law Practice, the WOLEP Criminal Law Practice etc,), and an academic community - WOLEP Academic - dedicated to lawyers within the scholarly field.

In conclusion, WOLEP is committed to advancing a thriving and collaborative environment for lawyers, providing thought leadership opportunities, and offering a platform for ongoing knowledge exchange within the global legal community.

Our mission

The WOLEP Network is committed to pursuing the following objectives that epitomize our dedication to integrity, professionalism, and collaborative excellence:

Professional Collaboration

Our primary mission is to facilitate robust professional collaboration among Lawyers within the WOLEP - “World Online Lawyers with Excellent Practice” Network, encompassing cross-border partnerships and collaborations due to our international scope. By continuously mediating partnerships and teamwork, we aim to enhance the collective expertise of our Members and deliver superior legal services to our Clients.

Branding and Prestige

We believe in showcasing the excellence of our Members through various branding initiatives including editorial pieces, member profiles, WOLEP Talks and interviews, WOLEP Podcasts, Webinars, and round table discussions. Membership with WOLEP solidifies the professionalism of our Lawyers, elevating their credibility, and building a stronger reputation, ultimately earning increased recognition among Clients and potential Clients.

International Recognition and Revenue Growth for WOLEP Members

Affiliation with WOLEP for both Lawyers and Law Firms brings recognition within the legal industry, validating professionalism, and enhancing reputation in the eyes of Clients. As WOLEP continues to expand, our Members benefit from heightened exposure and increased income through shared projects and fees, providing a thriving environment for professional growth and prosperity.

Becoming the Top Choice for Online Legal Services

In line with the evolving legal landscape, the WOLEP International Network aims to transform Client-Lawyer interactions through online platforms. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate our Lawyers into the digital realm, ensuring accessibility and responsiveness for Clients seeking legal assistance, thereby establishing us as the preferred choice for Clients in the digital legal ecosystem.

By embodying these principles, we empower our Members, be they Lawyers or Law Firms, we bolster their professional image, and elevate their success within the dynamic and ever changing legal landscape.

Our values

The WOLEP International Network is duty-bound by a set of fundamental values that guide the professional conduct of the Network and its Members. These values reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional legal services and maintaining a collaborative and respectful environment.

1. Professional Excellence

We consistently uphold the highest standards of legal practice to ensure complete Client satisfaction. The relentless pursuit of excellence defines WOLEP, enabling us to provide superior legal representation in varied practice areas, as reflected by our specialised legal departments featuring international experts.

2. Professional Collaboration

We embrace opportunities for collaborative endeavors within the WOLEP Network while preserving professional independence and prior commitments. Our collaborative spirit brings together diverse legal expertise, allowing us to deliver comprehensive solutions to global legal challenges.

3. Respect and Integrity

We hold utmost respect for the professional integrity, prestige, and values of our fellow Lawyers. Our commitment to mutual respect underlines a culture of fairness, transparency, and ethical conduct.

4. Network and Members’ Prestige

We are dedicated to not only enhancing and upholding the prestige of the WOLEP Network itself but also that of each individual Member. Our collective commitment to network prestige reflects our shared aspiration to be a leading force in the global legal community. We believe that by elevating the standing of each Member, we strengthen the overall reputation and influence of the WOLEP Network worldwide.

5. Loyalty and Accountability

We prioritize the interests of the WOLEP Network and remain loyal, especially by recommending Clients to colleagues with specialized expertise. Our allegiance to WOLEP and its members strengthens the fabric of our global legal community.

6. Transparency and Confidentiality

WOLEP members adhere to the highest standards of professional secrecy, refraining from seeking, sharing, or disclosing confidential information. Upholding fundamental principles of trust and confidentiality is central for maintaining the integrity of the WOLEP Network.

7. Independence and Client Relations

Each WOLEP Member respects the autonomy of their peers and their client relations, ensuring that no infringement occurs upon established Client partnerships. Our commitment to professional independence and client relations boosts trust and cooperation within our international lawyers’ network.

8. Security and Technological Know-How

WOLEP remains at the forefront of technological advancements to better serve our Members and Clients accessing legal services. Our online audio-video consultancy benefits from the latest technology and security advancements, ensuring a cutting-edge and secure experience for Clients engaging in remote legal consultations. We are committed to staying informed of all technological advancements to maintain the highest standards in client service and data security.

9. Cultural Sensitivity and Respect for Diversity

The WOLEP Network values and honours cultural diversity, understanding its significance in the practice of law on a global scale. Our commitment to cultural sensitivity translates into an attitude of acceptance and understanding in our international legal interactions.

10. Global Legal Intelligence

We pledge to stay informed about diverse legal systems, international regulations, and cross-border implications, enabling us to effectively navigate the complexities of global legal practices in all our dealings.

The WOLEP International Network is a dynamic platform for Lawyers who not only understand the power of the internet and the immense potential of professional networking but also seek to leverage these forces to enrich and elevate their careers. Whether being involved in academia, representing a Law Firm, or practicing independently, our Network offers an elite community where legal experts can amplify their professional brand, gain added prestige through legal and scholarly connections, and employ collaborative opportunities to propel their careers to new heights.

Key Benefits of WOLEP Membership

1. International Exposure and Enhanced Brand

Members benefit from global promotion through the network's online platforms and participation in WOLEP Talks, thus extending their reach to clients, peers, and partners on a worldwide scale. This exposure, alongside interviews, podcasts, and other media opportunities, as well as marketing counsel by our dedicated staff, contributes to enhancing their professional prestige and credibility within the legal community and academia, thus further solidifying their brand and impact.

2. International Collaboration and Client Opportunities

WOLEP members have been involved in professional collaborations, such as client sharing in projects for obtaining citizenship, legal opinions, and real estate transactions among others. This has led to shared opportunities and compensations while obtaining direct financial gains for services rendered and recommendations made.

3. Multiple Languages Bring Members a Wider Audience

The WOLEP website is currently available in 8 international languages (e.g. English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Romanian, Polish), ensuring that all articles published on our website are translated into these languages. This not only enables Clients who speak these languages to access legal knowledge in their native language, but also connects WOLEP members with a wider audience of potential Clients and partners.

4. Tailored Community for Law Firms

Law Firms within WOLEP can form alliances, collaborate on projects, and leverage shared resources, thus enhancing their collective impact and visibility. These professional collaborations result in financial gains and added opportunities for the member Firms.

5. Global Legal Services, Academic Support, and Professional Networking

Our Network not only offers legal services in all countries where WOLEP has Lawyers but also fosters academic and professional growth. Additionally, Members have expanded their network of professional contacts, leading to the identification of new, often cross-border business opportunities and mutual support in solving legal problems for their clients.

6. Continuous Professional Development and Access to Exclusive Resources

WOLEP's resources are available for all member Lawyers and Law Firms, offering decisive support, collaborative prospects, and continuous professional development. Participation in webinars, roundtables, and other events organized by WOLEP enables Members to broaden their knowledge and stay updated with the latest trends and advancements within the legal domain.

7. Online Legal Consultations and Document Drafting

WOLEP Members can conduct online legal consultations, including video and audio sessions, and can provide professional document drafting services while collecting fees for these activities. The Network's infrastructure ensures secure and confidential operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the WOLEP Network?

The WOLEP Network - “World Online Lawyers with Excellent Practice” is an international community of lawyers who have adhered to the Vision, Mission and Values of the Network as they are presented publicly. Only lawyers who have the right to practice law according to the law of the country where they normally practice law can join the Network.

2. What are my obligations if I join the WOLEP?

As a member of the WOLEP Network you undertake to observe the Values of the network, to contribute to the success of the Mission of the network and you agree with its Vision.

The WOLEP Network is a community of lawyers who have a high standard of legal practice, who appreciate professional cooperation and who want to access the market for legal services on the Internet. Obligations of lawyers who have joined the WOLEP Network are in the category of those who define the professionalism of lawyers and their ethical collegial conduct.

3. What are my rights if I join the WOLEP Network?

Any member of the WOLEP Network has the right to make full use of the infrastructure and tools made available to the Network by the WOLEP website.

4. Do I have to pay a fee to be a member of the WOLEP Network or to use the WOLEP platform?

Members of the WOLEP Network do not have to pay an annual fee just to join the network and have a Profile Page on WOLEP.

At this time, lawyers who have joined the WOLEP Network do not pay an “annual membership fee” or “usage fee” for the WOLEP platform, as there are no monthly expenses to be borne by the Network for the benefit of these members. The network is in the process of being set up.

From the perspective of the internet law services market, the network's Mission is to be relevant, a real option for Clients who need law services and who are looking for such services on the internet.

We appreciate that in order to be relevant, to represent a real option in choosing a lawyer, Clients looking for lawyer services on the internet should find on the WOLEP platform at least 20 lawyers from a country.

Only after at least 20 lawyers from one country are registered on the WOLEP platform, we will be able to start the promotion campaigns on Google Ads and Facebook, etc. in order to attract Clients for the benefit of those lawyers and only then will there be expenses. That is the time when lawyers who have joined the Network should pay a membership fee.

Until then, it is not necessary for Lawyers joining the WOLEP Network to pay a "membership fee" or a "platform usage fee".

The value of the "membership fee" or the "platform usage fee" for a lawyer is 1000 Euro / year. In the case of law firms, the amount of the fee is reduced depending on the number of lawyers.

Lawyers who will get involved and join the Network, since the establishment of the network, will benefit from a 50% discount on the "user fee - membership fee" for the first year.

5. Can joining the WOLEP Network attract incompatibilities or situations specific to the "conflict of interest" for lawyers who are part of the Network?

Lawyers joining the WOLEP Network do not share data or information related to professional secrecy. In fact, maintaining professional secrecy is a Value for lawyers in the WOLEP Network.

This is why joining the WOLEP Network cannot lead to incompatibilities or “conflict of interest” situations for lawyers in the Network.

Romeo Cosma

COORDINATOR, WOLEP NETWORK

Romeo Cosma is a lawyer with over 26 years of professional experience, of which 22 years at the head of his own law firm, with offices in Bucharest, Galați and Constanța.

Romeo confesses that the WOLEP project was born, for him, as part of a natural process of professional evolution, thanks to his work experiences, the environment in which he has been working for a long time and the realization that professional collaboration between lawyers is a fundamental value.

With a proven pedigree in the legal business, confirmed by the success of the legal portal Avocatura.com, one of the pioneers of the market in Romania since the 90s, Romeo believes in lawyers working with each other, but also in their professionalism and honesty in dealing with clients.

His passions outside the office include spending time with his family, travelling, psychology and quantum physics.

Adelina Zapis

HEAD OF NETWORK DEVELOPMENT AT WOLEP

Adelina Zapis is Head of Network Development at WOLEP, with 8 years of previous experience in marketing for real estate projects.

She is a graduate of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, majoring in Marketing and of the Master's degree, majoring in International Business Administration, from the University "Dunărea de Jos" Galați. She is currently enrolled in the Faculty of Law at "Danubius" University of Galați.

After graduation, she worked for a Spanish real estate company where she carried out specific real estate marketing activities. During this collaboration, Adelina discovered her passion for foreign languages, a passion that she has put to good use by obtaining a translator's license for Spanish and English. Becoming a translator is one of her greatest achievements.

Among the values she believes in are professional commitment, passion for the profession and respect for the work of others.

Teodor Burnar

CHIEF OF CONTENT AT WOLEP

Teodor Burnar is Chief of Content at WOLEP, a position in which he uses his more than 15 years of experience in publishing and online and print media. Throughout his career, Teodor has coordinated several successful publications and projects, one of the most important being the legal portal Avocatura.com, with which he has been recognized in the legal press in Romania.

For Teodor, the WOLEP project is an opportunity to develop his outstanding interpersonal skills on an international stage and to broaden his linguistic and cultural horizons. In fact, what made him join the project was precisely its scope and eminently generous goals.

When he's not talking to lawyers and partners all over the world, Teodor maintains his passion for writing - a field in which he has already published two books of poetry and as many books of prose, travel, football and technology. As Teodor Burnar holds a PhD in History from the University of Bucharest, his motto is "Aut caesar aut nihil" ("Either Caesar or nothing").

Ștefania Bicher

UI/UX & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

In the course of your professional life, you may discover many things you are passionate about, but only a few will bring you true satisfaction and keep you motivated. This principle also applies to Ștefania's career path.

Her career in communication and marketing started at 19, with her first role as a copywriter, while studying at SNSPA - Communication and Public Relations. A year later, she also discovered her passion for graphic design, which proved to be defining for the projects she has been involved in so far. Today, after 8 years experimenting in the fields of copywriting, performance, photography, graphic design and UI/UX, Ștefania can say that she has gained a broad perspective on the activities that contribute to the growth of a business, from startup to successful company.

Costinel Manole

ADMINISTRATOR, WOLEP.COM

Costinel Manole is the manager of Avocatura COM SRL, which created and manages Wolep.com. Licensed in programming, Costinel has been working since 2003 in the online services industry dedicated to lawyers.

His previous projects include web portals that have registered up to 500,000 visitors per month, such as Executari.com and Avocatura.com. He is motivated by innovative and complex projects but also by simple problems for which others are yet to find a solution.

Costinel is passionate about the latest technologies but at the same time spends most of his free time in nature. A week without any contact with nature is in his opinion a week spent in vain.