If you could, where would you choose to meet with your lawyer — in the office, online or on a mountain trail riding a bike? Lawyer Mincho Minchev suggests choosing the last option. His work day is like most office people — many hours in front of the computer and meetings in person and online. Seeing that this way of life significantly reduces the time during which he moves and is active, he decides to change this daily routine. “I thought how can I introduce a healthier way of doing things for myself and my clients and achieve the same high standards of work and even exceed them? If we can make time for work and meetings online or in the office, why can’t we make time and organize our meetings with clients outdoors. On a mountain path, for example, riding top-class bicycles, turning the work meeting into a memorable experience,» says Mincho Minchev.The nascent idea began to captivate the lawyer so much that at the beginning of the summer of 2023, he decided that he would realize it. Initially, he needs partners to provide him with the best class of mountain bikes. «It took me a while, but I found the right people in the Aquamatrix company. They, like me, believe that the office can be moved to nature. And just like me, they strive for the best quality of services and service for their customers,» says Mincho Minchev.He is a lawyer with over 10 years of experience in corporate and intellectual property law. Advises clients from the telecom, software development, urban planning, culture, automotive and bicycle industries. He has participated in and developed projects for legislative changes in the Commercial Law and the Copyright Law.After finding the right partners, Mincho Minchev began to look for the perfect place for outdoor meetings. It should be in the mountains, but still not far from the city, with convenient roads to it. And it’s level enough that all his customers can feel comfortable, regardless of their cycling experience. And also that the path is wide enough to be able to have a conversation while driving. Last but not least, the location should provide an opportunity to rest, sit and take notes if necessary.Not long after, he found the ideal route: the path from the village of Bistrica to the village of Zheleznitsa on Vitosha. «It is an incredible asset that Sofia has its own mountain. And that one can reach it in less than 40 minutes from the city center if one leaves early, before the traffic has increased.»So, once he finds the right partner and the right place — it’s time to test his idea. He calls several clients and suggests that the next meeting be on the trail. The result? «Everyone was surprised, satisfied, and at the end of our working meeting, very happy, recharged and ready for their working day. This was the beginning of «Ride with your lawyer».
What kind of people benefit from the service?
The «Ride with your lawyer» adventure is starting soon, in August 2023, and at this stage, the people who have participated are men aged 25 to 45 who have their own business and lead a dynamic life. What is impressive is that they understand how important it is to feel good physically and mentally and see this type of work experience as an investment in their health. I have inquiries from ladies as well, but they haven’t dared to take part yet. From my conversations with them, I understand that mountain biking seems like an extreme place for a woman, even when the trail is specifically chosen so that everyone can enjoy the experience. The feedback I receive is very valuable to me and my team and I are working on new ideas to improve the service and make it available to more people.
What do you do with seasonality?
I am yet to assess the role of seasonality on the project because the initiative, as I said above, starts this summer. In recent years, the seasons in Bulgaria have changed — for example, last year, the autumn-winter season allowed cycling in Sofia, even in the mountains. Of course, when the weather conditions are not suitable, our legal work meeting, which is at the heart of the service, will take place in one of our other familiar formats — in our office or online.
How many customers have used the service so far?
Here I would like to share that the organization of Drive with your lawyer service is a serious undertaking in which more people are involved and the ultimate goal is quality. Legal consultations are services of trust, and in this line of thought, where and how they take place is of particular importance to me. On the one hand, I have to be in excellent physical and mental shape. On the other hand is the choice of the ideal wheel for the purpose according to the physical characteristics of the customer. The service preparation of the bicycle is important, guaranteeing a trouble-free ride. It is provided by my partners at Aquamatrix. The logistics must also be perfect – the bicycles must be at the place from which we start. From the very beginning, our focus has been on quality. To my great joy, the feedback is positive and I hope to train other colleagues in my team in the future, as well as inspire more fellow lawyers or other entrepreneurs to recognize the connection with nature, the benefits of movement and to include similar types of activities in their work process. And more people to use this type of service.
Does this mean that you will build a network with «Ride with your lawyer», that you will also attract other lawyers and law firms?
As I mentioned, I would love it if more colleagues started offering a similar service. I know from experience that implementing projects is a serious investment of time, money and effort, and I realize that this can be a challenge. I am available to share my experience and help in any way I can. The most important thing is the love for what we do.
Can this model become larger, to cover a wide range of people and companies from different fields?
Of course. The positive examples are inspiring. The role of the media to give publicity is also important. I believe that the initiative will inspire more entrepreneurs to find their own way to include physical activity in nature as part of their work process — either by riding a bike, by walking, by running in the park, in the mountains, by the sea. That’s my goal. The benefits of this will be many, the most important of which is that the movement, combined with the pleasant natural (park, mountain) environment, improves the work of the mind and the working capacity of each of us.
Do you charge customers for the service?
The ride and experience are provided as a right of choice for our customers. Whether we make the meeting in the office, online or in the mountains, riding a bike, the price is the same and includes the lawyer’s fee for the relevant consultation. In other words, our clients pay for the legal consultation and choose where it takes place.
How does a Drive with Your Lawyer meeting work?
We start early, at 8.00 am on the trail, to avoid the traffic, on the one hand, and on the other, so that we can all have our working day ahead of us. The bikes and equipment are delivered by us, and the customer has to come to the starting place, and if he is not able to do it himself, we take him. The distance we drive is about 5 km. in one direction or a total of about 10 km. The terrain is flat and pleasant. During this time, we discuss the questions that the client has previously sent us and any additional things that arise — as would normally happen in a meeting with a lawyer. The whole session lasts about 2 hours and at 10.00 we head back to the city. So by noon, not only have we checked off work, but we’ve also recharged for the rest of the day.
