Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Giannella Barbieri | Founder and Partner at GB Legal

Dr. Giannella Barbieri is a legal professional with extensive experience in corporate, commercial, employment, and immigration law. In 2024, she founded her own law firm, GB Legal, with a goal of delivering tailored legal services that truly meet the clients’ needs.

Before establishing her firm, Dr. Barbieri headed the legal team at a prominent firm in Malta, where she gained significant leadership experience and worked closely with clients on a wide variety of legal matters. Over the years, she has successfully assisted clients with a diverse range of projects, including mergers and acquisitions, company formations and restructurings, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transactions.

Dr. Barbieri is passionate about helping individuals and businesses succeed. She strives to provide advice that is both practical and focused on finding solutions that work. She’s also a strong advocate for young women in business and hopes to inspire others to take charge of their careers with confidence and determination.

Blue Ocean: What inspired you to pursue the legal services industry?

Dr. Giannella: I’ve always been inspired by professional women from a very young age, especially those confidently leading meetings in boardrooms. That image left a strong impression on me. Law felt like a natural path for me, not only because I enjoyed it, but because it combined structure with purpose. At the same time, I also developed a deep interest in business— seeing how it operates, grows, and evolves was fascinating to me, and I knew early on that I wanted to work at the intersection of both worlds. 

I began my legal career at one of the Big Four firms to build a solid foundation through steady career progression. Along the way, I was fortunate to be presented with opportunities that allowed me to gain broad experience and develop a dynamic, versatile skill set. 

This journey eventually led me to the role of Head of Legal at a respected mid-tier firm in Malta, where I was able to grow further and contribute meaningfully to the organisation. Over time, I realized that what I valued most was building strong, trust-based relationships with clients by understanding their needs in depth and supporting them in a way that felt both personal and strategic. That desire to work more closely with clients and make a meaningful impact ultimately led me to establish my own law firm.  

Since its inception, GB Legal has grown steadily and organically, expanding its services to include tax advisory, corporate structuring, and immigration consultancy. We have recently moved into a new office, marking an important step forward in our journey. 

We’re now supporting a growing network of start-ups and SMEs, particularly in the finance and tech sectors, with a strong focus on international structuring. Our client base has also become increasingly international, with more businesses and individuals seeking trusted guidance on Malta’s legal and tax framework.

Blue Ocean: What does a typical day in your life look like?

Dr. Giannella:  A career in law isn’t easy, especially when you’re balancing work, family life, and your own well-being. That’s why I plan my calendar a week in advance.

I schedule time to exercise and write down my thoughts. Even just five minutes of quiet in the morning – undisturbed- is something I prioritise. After that, I get my daughter ready and take her to school. Then comes my small daily ritual: a cappuccino before my workday begins. 

I try to group my meetings on the same day of the week, which helps me protect blocks of focused time. During those periods, I switch off all non-essential notifications and dedicate myself entirely to client work.

I won’t say I have a lot of free time – most days are full- but I make a conscious effort to block off time in my calendar and say, “This is my time.” That might mean taking my daughter out or spending quality time with family.

Because at the end of the day, life moves quickly. I believe in working hard—there are no shortcuts if you want to build and run your own business. But it’s just as important to make space for the things that matter most.

Blue Ocean: Which emerging trends in your industry most excite you?

Dr. Giannella: At the moment, I’m genuinely excited about the potential of AI, not simply because it’s topical, but because of the profound implications it has for the legal profession and the way we deliver value to our clients. 

What I find most interesting is that AI will allow us to focus more on building relationships with our clients. Before AI, certain processes were time-consuming and didn’t necessarily add value to the client experience. Now, these processes are being handled by AI. They’re already being streamlined, and they continue to improve every day.

This shift shall allow us to focus our time and energy on what truly matters – building stronger client relationships and delivering meaningful, high-value advice, rather than getting caught up in tasks that add little to no real benefit. 

That said, I am also interested in the legal and ethical frameworks that will need to evolve alongside these technologies. The potential for bias, misuse, and unintended harm is real, particularly for marginalised groups. Regulation must catch up, not only to protect rights, but also to maintain the integrity of professional practice.

Blue Ocean: What do you believe is the key to your success, and how do you stay ahead in such a competitive environment?

Dr. Giannella: One of the core ways I’ve built my business is through networking. For me, networking is sacred when it comes to building a business from the ground up. That said, when you’re just starting out, it’s easy to see networking solely as a way to get more clients.

But networking isn’t just about client acquisition; it’s also one of the most powerful tools for staying informed. It helps you keep up with industry trends, understand new regulations, and gain insight into how others in the field are adapting. When you attend networking or industry events, you get exposed to different perspectives and fresh ideas. At many of these events, regulators themselves are invited to speak, offering valuable perspective on how the law is being applied in practice.

Reading a new law or a new framework isn’t enough. You also need to understand how it’s being interpreted—how your peers are responding to it, how regulators are communicating it, and where the practical challenges lie. That kind of understanding only comes from being in the room, asking questions, and hearing what others have to say.

In my experience, some of the most valuable business relationships, ideas, and even collaborations have come from these conversations. Networking helps you build trust and visibility, not just as a service provider, but as a thought partner.

So yes, I believe attending events and engaging with the wider professional community is not just useful—it’s essential. It keeps you informed, grounded, and open to what’s next.

Blue Ocean: What is something unique you offer to your clients?

Dr. Giannella: One of the things that I truly prioritise in my work is delivering personalized, strategic advice. I never want a client to feel that once a relationship is established, their file will be handed off and they’ll only hear from me when something goes wrong.

That commitment to continuity and care is one of the key reasons I started my own law firm. I wanted clients to have peace of mind that—even if other lawyers are involved in their matters—I remain actively engaged, overseeing the work and ensuring consistency at every stage.

When I give advice, I try to step into the client’s shoes and ask, “How will this decision affect their business? Can this be profitable? What’s the risk if a certain scenario plays out? It’s never just about ticking legal boxes. Compliance is fundamental, of course—but a business that is compliant and yet unprofitable is not sustainable.

My goal is to help clients strike the right balance—making sure they’re legally protected, while also supporting their growth, profitability, and long-term success.

Blue Ocean: In your experience, what qualities separate those who excel in their field from those who don’t?

Dr. Giannella: I believe that anyone can be successful. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can always find your path. There will be tough days – days when you feel like shutting everything down and heading to the beach or going shopping just to clear your head. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you should do. But what matters is that you come back the next day and say to yourself, “I’m going to try again.”

The relationship you build with your clients plays just as big a role in success. It’s not just about delivering a contract or completing a task; it’s about creating an environment where clients feel comfortable reaching out, especially when something doesn’t sit right. They shouldn’t hesitate to email you or start a conversation. That kind of trust is essential.

I believe there are no fixed limits on what anyone can achieve. We all come from different backgrounds, and some people are more fortunate than others in terms of their support systems. But even with those differences, I still believe that in one way or another, you can make it work.

Also, success doesn’t look the same for everyone. For one person, success might be building a business. For someone else, it might be raising a family and being there for their loved ones. I think true success is whatever makes you feel fulfilled and makes you feel like you’re leaving a meaningful mark in this life.

Blue Ocean: How do you approach mentoring or guiding those who look up to you?

Dr. Giannella: The way I approach it is simple: I just ask, “When are you free for a coffee?”

Just yesterday, I was at an event and met a young entrepreneur who had recently launched her own venture. We got talking, and I could tell she was full of energy and ideas, but also feeling a little overwhelmed about where to focus next. I remember being in that position myself, not too long ago. And while I’m still learning every day, I was lucky to have had some experience behind me when I took the leap, which gave me a bit more clarity at the start.

So I said to her, “Next week is a bit packed for me—how about the week after? Let’s grab a coffee.”

Sometimes that’s all it takes. A simple conversation. I don’t go into it with an agenda—I just listen, share what I can, and offer a bit of guidance where it feels helpful. Most of the time, people will follow up on their own. But every now and then, I’ll check in on myself and ask, “How’s everything going?”

Over time, these kinds of connections often grow into something more. Some become collaborators, others refer clients, and many simply become part of my professional circle. It’s a rewarding part of what I do—being able to support someone on their journey while also building genuine relationships.

I’m a huge believer in knowledge sharing as well. When you share knowledge, you’re not creating competitors, but creating potential collaborations.

Blue Ocean: What advice would you give to your younger self as you were starting your career in this multifaceted industry?

Dr. Giannella: I would tell my younger self not to overthink and plan everything too rigidly. I used to plan far ahead, always focusing intensely on achieving a particular goal and then immediately planning what came next.

Yes, it’s important to have a vision. Because without a vision, you won’t get anywhere. But it’s just as important not to over-regulate that vision. Because sometimes life surprises you with opportunities that turn out to be a better fit than anything you could’ve imagined years earlier.

My advice would be: work hard, give your best, but embrace whatever comes your way as well. Sometimes the unexpected path is the one you were meant to take.

Blue Ocean: What is something you are most grateful for, either professionally or personally?

Dr. Giannella: I’m really grateful for my family. And I’m grateful for my husband, who’s super supportive of my career. He’s a great dad as well, and I truly appreciate the role he plays in helping us find balance as a family. Having a strong support system makes a real difference, and I’m fully aware that not everyone has that privilege.

I’m also thankful every day for the way the business continues to grow. It’s a reminder that hard work, consistency, and the right people around you can take you far.

Blue Ocean: What’s one lesson in life that changed your perspective?

Dr. Giannella: One thing that truly changed everything for me was learning to stop worrying so much about what other people think and just do what I really want to do. Letting go of that need for external validation gave me the clarity and the confidence to make decisions that align with my values, not just expectations. 

In a professional setting—especially in law and business—it’s easy to fall into the trap of following a set path or doing what you think you should be doing. But real growth and real impact come from being honest with yourself about what you want to build, how you want to work, and the kind of legacy you want to leave behind.

That mindset shift allowed me to take bold steps—like starting my own firm—not because everything was perfectly lined up, but because I trusted that I could learn, adapt, and grow along the way. And that has made all the difference. Another lesson along the way was realizing the importance of surrounding yourself with people who genuinely support you. It’s not always obvious at first who those people are, so you have to be intentional about distancing yourself from anyone who brings negativity or drains your energy.

That doesn’t mean cutting everyone off. It just means making sure the people closest to you bring good vibes and help you grow.

Blue Ocean: Is there a particular quote or piece of advice that has guided you through your career?

Dr. Giannella: Just this week, I attended an event where one of the speakers said, ‘Legacy is not about the bank account that you leave behind. It’s about the impact that you leave on other people’s lives.’ That line really resonated with me and served as a powerful reminder of what truly matters.

If I had to choose the piece of advice that’s helped me the most, it would be this: other people’s opinions of your abilities don’t define what you’re capable of. There will always be those who underestimate you, and if you’re not mindful, you might start to internalise their limitations as your own. Staying true to your vision and believing in your potential, even when others don’t, is what makes the real difference.

Blue Ocean: What hobbies or interests help you maintain a balanced lifestyle outside of work?

Dr. Giannella: The truth is, when you’re juggling a career and family, carving out time for yourself isn’t easy. One thing I do make sure of, though, is to find time for exercise. It clears my mind and makes me feel productive.

Most of my personal time naturally revolves around my family, especially with my daughter, and I truly value those moments. That said, in an ideal world, I’d love to have more time to travel, because I really enjoy it.

I used to read a lot, particularly growing up. I had a deep love for English literature and was especially drawn to old novels. I remember reading them and then visiting the UK, trying to find the real-life places that inspired the stories. That blend of literature and history always fascinated me. My favorite novel of all time is Wuthering Heights.

It holds a special place in my heart—not just for the story, but because of a memory tied to my grandfather. When I was a girl, he stayed up late to record the film adaptation on VHS for me—back when if you missed something on TV, it was gone. That small gesture made the story even more meaningful.

Conclusion

From watching inspiring women in childhood to becoming one herself, Giannella Barbieri’s journey highlights the significance of resilience and courage. As the founder of GB Legal, Giannella demonstrates that legal practice is not just about interpreting laws—it’s about offering meaningful, strategic support to clients at every stage of their business and personal journeys. 

For Giannella, anyone can be successful with perseverance and a clear sense of purpose. Her true strength lies in building long-lasting relationships with her clients and offering strategic, solution-driven advice that supports their growth.