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CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

Whatever Became of the Old LAW?

[Somewhere over the Atlantic, Monday 5 November 2007]

I’m wide awake, 11,277 meters (37,000 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting on the just completed 2007 Annual General Meeting of Lawyers Associated Worldwide, and feeling very good about the organization that LAW has become.

Nearly twenty years ago, LAW started out small, like most organizations. It was the brainchild of a few “internationally minded” lawyers who thought that it might make good sense (and be good fun) to periodically meet with other like-minded professional colleagues to discuss legal and business issues of common concern. These get-togethers could take place at least once a year at different lawyers’ offices around the world. They would be accompanied by good food and spirits, a touch of entertainment, and a large dose of camaraderie. Business relationships (and personal friendships) would no doubt follow. The formula worked and “LAW” was born.

During the past two decades, globalization of the business community has really taken hold, and the practice of law has changed dramatically. More and more clients require assistance from their lawyers for activities taking place outside of their local jurisdictions. The past twenty years have made the concepts behind LAW even more relevant for the law firms that serve those clients.

At LAW’s 2007 Annual General Meeting, we had delegates from nearly 100 member and observer law firms from commercial centers all over the world. They were gathered for a few days on the banks of Lake Lucerne to discuss legal and business issues. Although these delegates come from nearly 60 countries on six different continents, they checked their political, religious and ethnic differences at the door. They were there to do business with each other and to learn about opportunities in other parts of the world that might benefit their clients back home. They were there to discuss new ideas and technologies of value to their law firms. They were there to get to know more about each other’s firms, practices and capabilities. Their physical presence and active participation in all aspects of the AGM would be invaluable in establishing (or renewing) professional bonds and personal friendships with their fellow LAW members.

Some of the information was shared, and some of the relationships were developed, in formal meetings, with power point presentations by thoughtful speakers. Even more of it occurred in small group discussions. However, a lot of it also occurred in social settings in interesting venues, involving good food and spirits.

Whatever became of the old LAW from 1989? The original ideas from 20 years ago have taken root and matured. The concept of LAW has caught on with many more firms, and the value of our membership in LAW has been enhanced for all of us. The new relationships that were established, and the insights that were gained by coming together this year in Lucerne have already become part of the enhanced capabilities of each member firm, positioning it to better serve the needs of its clients.

The time passed very quickly this year in Lucerne, and a lot of activities were packed into a few short days. I hope that the 2007 AGM was an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all attendees. I also look forward to seeing everyone next year in Washington D.C.

Best regards,

Christopher C. McCracken
Chairman
Lawyers Associated Worldwide

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It was wonderful to see everyone in Lucerne. With close to 100 member firms, the meetings are so essential to understanding the expertise of new firms and to strengthening the friendships and working relationships between existing members. It was exciting to hear the hum of voices exchanging information about their firms during the “speed-networking.” Thanks again to the Grüninger Hunziker Roth Rechtsanwälte firm for all their help in organizing the meeting and their selection of the excellent venues and menus for the dinners.

Recap of the 2007 AGM:

• Held at Palace Luzern in Lucerne, Switzerland
  
• 111 Delegates
  
• 49 Accompanying Persons
  
• 5 Observers
  • DC Law
    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    www.dclaw.com.vn
  • Horizon Law Group
    Seoul, Korea
    www.horizonlaw.com
  • Ward Keller Lawyers
    Darwin, Australia
    www.wardkeller.com.au
  • Gordon & Mott P.C. (became new member at AGM)
    www.gordonmottpc.com
  • Habib Al Mulla & Co. (became new member at AGM)
    www.habibalmulla.com

• Breakout session topics (presentations and handouts available on Member Section of www.lawyersworldwide.com)
  
  • Relocation (for entities/private persons and its legal/tax problems)
    Facilitated by Marcus Waldispühl of Julius Baer Group and Marc Grüninger
    
  • A facilitated discussion of Trends, Challenges and Solutions for Law Firm Management (Alternative billing arrangements, competitive market differentiation, attorney compensation and retention, new technology and online marketing, and much more…)
    Facilitated by Ward Bondurant
    
  • “International ADR”
    Facilitated by Seymour Mansfield and Eduardo Wolle of Gilbert Mediation Center
    
  • China Law Updates
    Facilitated by:
    • McCandlish Holton China, PLLC – Practical Due Diligence Issues
    • Sphere Logic – (1) Special Stipulations for Civil Procedures Involving Foreign Interests and their Application in Judicial Practice; (2) RMB Fund Set up by Foreign Investors.
    • RayYin Partners – Opening of Chinese Energy Market for Foreign Investors (and related legal business).
      
  • Legal Toolbox & Logic 100
    Facilitated by Andrew Smith, David Daniel and Steve Johnson
    
  • E-mail Retention - Issues for Your Clients
    Facilitated by Bill Savarino
    
  • Strategic Initiatives – the “LAW Suggestion Box”
    Facilitated by Chris McCracken

Hallie Mann
Executive Director
Lawyers Associated Worldwide

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Peggie Pelosi, consultant on corporate philanthropy and author of Corporate Karma: How Business Can Move Forward by Giving Back, spoke to a joint luncheon group of delegates and accompanying persons. In a dynamic presentation, Ms. Pelosi presented the powerful results of businesses giving back to the community through philanthropy projects that resonate with their employees. For more information on Ms. Pelosi and corporate philanthropy, please go to www.orendaconnections.com.

This year's AGM used an exercise to enable the membership to share more about their firms on a one-to-one basis. Looking a bit like a combination of sardines-in-a can and a relay race, the delegates arranged themselves for an experimental “speed-networking” exercise. There were two rows of chairs, one side stationary, and the opposite side moving every five minutes. Sitting opposite a colleague, participants quickly and efficiently shared expertise and firm specialties in five-minute intervals. The challenges were not only limited to keeping to five minutes, but in being able to hear over the conversations of the surrounding networking pairs. But the group stayed with it and rotated through the entire line of colleagues, getting to know more about each firm’s capabilities and specialties.

LAW Vice Chairman Martin Davies commented, "When plans for the 'speed networking' session, a first for LAW, were rolled out, I feared that despite the best efforts of all concerned, human inertia and the well known 'herding cats' syndrome as well as the very novelty of the concept would jeopardize our objective.

I am delighted to say that my fears were totally unfounded! The energy, concentration and positive spirit which delegates took into the session were impressive. The result was a very successful business development initiative, which I believe is supported by the feedback received from members after the meeting.

There will, of course, be some adjustments to make, primarily concerned with noise levels, physical proximity and the number of 'dates' per session but those improvements will be relatively straightforward to implement. Another 'first' for the LAW membership -- well done to all!"

BOAT TRIP

After a vigorous and intense networking experience in the morning, the delegates got a chance to network again on a more casual level with lunch onboard the boat, M.S. Gotthard. The three-hour afternoon session allowed everyone to network again while enjoying lunch and incredible views of the lake and a number of its picturesque inlets. Instead of being confined to the inside of the usual conference room, everyone appreciated the “room with a view” provided by the two decks of the boat with indoor and outdoor seating.

BUSINESS MEETING

On Saturday afternoon, the 2007 AGM Business Meeting took place. LAW's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2006 were formally approved, and the 2008 budget was presented for informational purposes. A new Treasurer, Rodger Wheaton, from the Lugenbuhl, Wheaton, Peck, Ranking & Hubbard firm in New Orleans, Louisiana USA, was elected to succeed Lewis Sassoon, of Sassoon & Cymrot LLP, Boston, Massachusetts USA, whose term expired. Rodger was warmly welcomed, and Lew was given a fond "thank you" for his service. It was noted that all Executive Committee positions (including officers and regional representatives) other than Secretary and Treasurer will be up for election at the 2008 AGM.

The applications for membership by Habib Al Mulla & Co. of Dubai, UAE, and by Gordon & Mott P.C. of El Paso, Texas, USA, were approved by the members, and both firms were officially welcomed to LAW.

Several proposed amendments to LAW's Articles of Incorporation were presented and debated. All of the proposed amendments were approved by a substantial majority of those present, but several of them failed to attain the "super majority" vote (75%of all members, whether or not present) required, so those that did not went down to defeat. [Details of the voting and related commentary will be found in the minutes of the meeting.]

The Business Meeting concluded with announcements of the locations for LAW's 2008 meetings. The 2008 AGM will be held in September in Washington D.C. [Those members who will need visas to attend the meeting were strongly encouraged to start the visa application process early.] 2008 Regional Meetings will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Americas), Xiamen, PRC (Asia Pacific) and Porto, Portugal (Europe, Africa & Middle East). [SAVE THE DATE announcements for all of the 2008 meetings are found elsewhere in this e-Newsletter.]

NEW MEMBERS

LAW welcomed its two newest members – Habib Al Mulla & Co. of Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Gordon & Mott P.C. of El Paso, Texas, USA.

Habib Al Mulla & Co. was founded in 1984, has 27 lawyers, and has evolved to become one of the leading and largest law firms in Dubai. It is staffed by a team of high caliber lawyers from around the world, who have obtained their degrees and licenses from U.A.E., the U.K., New York, U.S.A., Australia, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt. It also has an office in Abu Dhabi. Representing Habib Al Mulla & Co. at the AGM were Abdul Aziz Al Hanee and Rania Yousseph.

Gordon & Mott P.C., with 19 lawyers, concentrates its practice on business transactions and business-related litigation. The firm enjoys a special niche in planning international transactions, especially those involving transactions with Mexico. Uniquely positioned on the international border, Gordon & Mott P.C. is regularly involved in cross-border transactions for international manufacturing, construction and development companies. David Leffman attended the AGM on behalf of the firm.

SPONSORS OF THE AGM

This year’s sponsors for the Annual General Meeting were:

1. Bank Julius Baer from Zurich, Switzerland;
2. Logic 100 and Legal Toolbox, Brisbane, Australia;
3. The National Arbitration Forum, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Julius Baer Group presented an overview of the bank and its services to the delegates and observers in the historic and beautiful Guild House: Zunfthaus zur Meisen in Zurich. This was followed by a wonderful reception and dinner at the Guild House with accompanying persons joining the group as well.

The Julius Baer Group

The Julius Baer Group is the leading dedicated wealth manager in Switzerland. The Group, which has roots dating to the nineteenth century, concentrates exclusively on private banking and asset management for private and institutional clients. GAM, a leading global active asset manager, has been part of the Julius Baer Group since 2005. With more than 3800 employees worldwide, the Group managed assets in excess of CHF 400 billion at the end of June 2007. The Julius Baer Group’s global presence comprises more than 30 locations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia, including Zurich (head office), Buenos Aires, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Lugano, New York, Singapore and Tokyo. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., the key company of the Group, has an Aa3 rating from Moody’s. The shares of Julius Baer Holding Ltd. are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange.

For more information: www.juliusbaer.com

Legal Toolbox and Logic 100

Legal Toolbox

Legal Toolbox is a suite of industry bundled legal precedents and information, sold to small to medium sized businesses.

Legal Toolbox facilitates new client flow into all LAW members both nationally and internationally, and requires little adaptation for each global market. Once set up the automated product delivery and payment systems take care of the back end and operations and you get to focus on what’s important, looking after new business.

By combining basic legal precedents with credible network partners (accountants, banks, digital storage, and insurance), Legal Toolbox delivers both qualified clients to the participating LAW member, and expands the LAW international footprint for each member.

As a LAW member, by participating in the Legal Toolbox international rollout, you receive:

• Income streams from sales;
• Regular flow of new, qualified clients, locally;
• Greater access to international clients from other LAW members;
• A more prominent profile in your market place; and
• Increased international exposure.

Logic 100 - Professional Practice Client Management, Document storage and CRM

Logic 100 is a new breed professional practice platform that facilitates instant updating of client status, needs and opportunity. Designed by professional practice operators, Logic 100 enables practices to ensure that ALL information pertinent to clients and your practices ability to assist them is at your fingertips 24/7/365.

Accessible via secure three-tier log-in from any computer anywhere in the world at any time by you, your client and even their other advisors, Logic 100 empowers your practice with a multiplicity of ways to identify clients needs and opportunities for your practice including non-traditional legal, financial and professional advice service opportunities

Expand your practice opportunities and revenues, engage your clients more holistically and identify fellow LAW member practice clients that you can assist in your region or specific area of expertise.

As a LAW community platform, Logic 100 allows you to share in a global database of client opportunity.

www.logic100.net

The National Arbitration Forum

The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM), and Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW) work together on an international level. The FORUM has forged its reputation by tailoring dispute resolution programs to meet the specific objectives of the parties involved. From expedited mediation to arbitration to Special Master panels, the FORUM crafts the right combination of services, rules and neutrals for the task at hand.

The National Arbitration Forum, a leader in arbitration and mediation services for over 20 years, is an expert in the resolution of Internet-based disputes. An innovator in the industry, the National Arbitration Forum serves as one of three primary providers of the ICANN domain name dispute resolution program, resolving issues involving disputed trademarks. Over 8,000 intellectual property cases have been filed through the National Arbitration Forum's state-of-the-art case management system.

www.arb-forum.com

SAVE THE DATE FOR 2008 LAW MEETINGS

• Americas Regional Meeting
  Buenos Aires, Argentina
  April 10-12
  
• Asia Pacific Regional Meeting
  Xiamen, P.R. China
  April 24-26
  
• Europe Africa Middle East Regional Meeting
  Porto, Portugal
  May 22-24
  
• Annual General Meeting
  Washington DC
  September 17-20

AGM HIGHLIGHTS