Now there’s one-top shopping for finding ADR information. Look no further than the World Directory of Alternative Dispute Resolution Blogs compiled by mediator and blogger Diane Levin. If you have an ADR inquiry, there’s bound to be a blog listed that addresses your issue.
Speaking of International ADR, this past week Diane Levin blogged about new podcast series by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR). Titled International Dispute Negotiation, the podcasts discuss how professionals from different cultures approach ADR; they are hosted by Michael McIlwrath, Senior Counsel, Litigation for GE Infrastructure - Oil & Gas, both from his Florence, Italy home base and from the road. (What a great home base, Michael!)
Thanks to Dan Hull’s What about the Clients? for having alerted me to this topic.
No international firm can have offices in every promising international jurisdiction-unless you’re Baker & McKenzie, of course.
And so, many international law firms join networks like the International Lawyers Network and Lex Mundi to boost their ties abroad. Each of the nine or so established international lawyer networks vets its members before letting one join. Each also charges a membership fee. In return, the law fims build relationships with each other– and hopefully receive lucrative referrals as a result.
Increasingly, networks are offering educational components, like webinars, and even secundment options. A recent article titled A Crowded Marketplace in the ABA International Daily News discusses the advantages of such international lawyer networks.
While in London earlier this month, we discussed the merits of these networks during the panel discussion I led on Cross-Cultural Client Development at the recent ABA Section of International Law conference. Some lawyers-particularly those from regional law firms–felt that international lawyer networks had really benefited them by meaningfully connecting them to firms throughout the world. However, others (such as some in house international lawyers) expressed concern about relying on such networks; these attorneys preferred to hire the best attorney in each location regardless of the network connection.
The consensus favored (i) joining networks to increase referrals and build relationships but (ii) not to feel obligated to work with a particular network member, and only to work with the ones best suited for the matter at hand.
Meet me in London next week when I lead a panel discussion during the fall conference of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association about Cross-Cultural Client Development. The session takes place on Thursday, October 4 from 10:45-12:15, and my fellow panel members will include, Derek Jones of Baker Botts (London office), Professor Susan Segal-Horn and Jose Antonio Munoz of Arias & Munoz.
Later that day I will also be presenting a mini-training session on Global Rainmaking with international trainer Megan Walters of Isongo.
I hope to see you then!
For tips on how to be successful as a partner, read my latest article in the July/August 2007 issue of the ABA’s Law Practice Magazine titled It’s Only Just Begun: Strategies for Staying Successful as a New Partner. Despite the title, both new and experienced partners can benefit from these tips.
Fellow lawyer, fellow coach, friend, and expert sailor (with World Cup experience) Peter Branning has become affiliated with Captains Courageous, which provides Caribbean sailing adventures in professional and personal development. Participants work with founder Martha Boston and other trained coaches like Peter to improve their leadership, teamwork and other skills–all while enjoying tropical scenery. Having recently led a trip to the Grenadines, coaching/sailing trips to the Bahamas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are in the works.
Although I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Martha, I have met and worked with Peter. He has also coached me. Peter is a wise, warm, caring and insightful coach–and an expert (and I mean EXPERT) sailor to boot. Set sail with him on one of these adventures, and return with a New and Improved You.
