Executive Director

Our recruiting efforts in 2007 have resulted in exciting new members joining LAW in the first quarter of 2008. Ward Keller Lawyers in Darwin, Australia became the 98th member of LAW on January 24, 2008. Three other observers from the 2007 Annual General Meeting are in the process of becoming members: Tay & Partners of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Horizon Law Group of Seoul, Korea; and DC Law of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

As LAW members identify additional jurisdictions where their clients need legal assistance, there is a team of individuals who evaluate the jurisdictions and the law firms to be considered. Recruiting Director Ward Bondurant of Morris, Manning & Martin, L.L.P. in Atlanta, Georgia leads the efforts for LAW. He is assisted by Executive Director Hallie Mann, as well as Chairman Chris McCracken and Vice Chairman Martin Davies. Ward looks at the legal environment in the requested cities as well as the rankings and reviews of the mid-market law firms in those markets by consulting international directories such as Chambers, Legal 500 and IFLR1000. One of the best sources to identify and evaluate prospective firms, however, continues to be our existing LAW members, who are frequently consulted on recruiting efforts aimed at other jurisdictions in their region. Once prospective firms have been identified, the correspondence begins. When possible, personal visits are made to the prospective firms by the executive director and Executive Committee member(s). Hallie follows up with the firms throughout the entire recruiting process. She sends them first a profile form to be completed. If the profile form is approved by the Executive Committee, then the firm is asked to complete the application form and to provide letters of reference. The application form is then approved by the Executive Committee, the region and all the members of LAW.

If there is a jurisdiction where your clients need help or if there is a firm that you would like to recommend for membership, please send the contact information to Ward Bondurant ( wbondurant@mmmlaw.com) and Hallie Mann (halliemann@lawyersworldwide.com).