Interview with...
K&L Gates’ global managing partner on the influence of legal tech, alternatives to the billable hour, and what business drivers are critical to clients
How is technology changing the way you meet client needs? Which areas will be most affected by new tech? We have sought to be very proactive in utilising technology to meet client needs because it is a key vehicle for delivery of value to clients. Much of the focus in the business of law is …
Continue reading “James Segerdahl: Price is a poor proxy for quality or value”
Interview with...
Payne Hicks Beach’s new chair explains the importance of being empathic when acting for ultra-high-net-worth clients, and why lawyers should put themselves in their clients’ shoes
What made you want to become the new chair of Payne Hicks Beach and what do you hope to achieve? It is a great honour to be responsible for a firm that has been around for almost 300 years. The private client landscape has altered dramatically in the last 25 years with an explosion of …
Continue reading “Robert Brodrick: Innovation from a different perspective”
Interview with...
Galicia Abogados’ founding partner talks about developing his firm in Mexico, incentivising innovation, and what associates must do to make partner
How would you define your firm’s culture? How important is firm culture to you? Our firm’s culture is based on (i) collaboration and respect in order to offer the best possible multidisciplinary service in the market; (ii) helping our clients to make business happen and to make better business decisions; and (iii) assuring the best …
Continue reading “Manuel Galicia R: The process of institutionalisation”
Interview with...
The leaders of Crowell & Moring Brussels on the challenges of management, growth, and why law firm culture is key for clients and fee earners
How would you define your firm’s culture? Our firm was founded in the US in 1979 by a group of lawyers, staff, and clients who left a large corporate firm because they believed in doing things differently. Four decades later, this belief is still a cornerstone of the firm’s culture. Our Brussels office was started …
Continue reading “Kristof Roox and Thomas De Meese: Managing partners shouldn’t hide behind their role”
Interview with: Dorothy Cory-Wright
The former barrister, now Dechert’s head of disputes in London, talks about her firm’s recent growth, lateral hires, cost control in litigation, and peer recognition
What have been your greatest personal/professional achievements to date and why? Professionally, the many cases where we made new law, seeing the inner workings of a great banking institution through advising the Monitor on HSBC, and leading the investigation for the FIA stewards into Crashgate at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix; uncovering what The Times …
Continue reading “Ready for take-off”
Interview with: Heidi Keefe
The astrophysicist turned patent trial lawyer on why she dislikes ‘managing expectations’, the importance of connecting with an audience, and why she compares Cooley’s lawyers to entrepreneurs
What makes a great trial lawyer? What do clients look for? I don’t think there is a single definition of a great trial lawyer, but perhaps the one thing they all have in common is an ability to captivate an audience. You have to be a storyteller, a teacher, and a motivator. Grab their attention …
Continue reading “Do great work, get more work, repeat”
Interview with: Jessica Roland
Mourant Guernsey’s managing partner on not being tied too closely to the traditional law firm model and why leadership is a collective responsibility
What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients? As managing partner of our Guernsey office, one of my proudest moments in the last few years was completing our move from old offices in two buildings to one, single site, bringing all of our people under one roof. Since early 2018 …
Continue reading “Greater than the sum of our parts”
Interview with: Juan Francisco Torres Landa Ruffo
The head of Hogan Lovells’ Mexico office on the importance of managing partners avoiding isolation, leading by example, and why future lawyers will need a different skillset
How would you define your firm’s culture? How important is that culture to you? Our firm’s culture is client-focused. We are dedicated to providing a seamless service, one that gives our clients a sense of excellence, depth, full expertise, and focus on their industries. We pursue long-term and mutually rewarding relationships with all our clients. …
Continue reading “Avoid getting rusty”
Interview with: Sadiq Jafar
The managing partner of Hadef & Partners talks about the latest growth trends in the UAE and working alongside international law firms
How are client demands in the UAE changing? The UAE is a relatively young jurisdiction and, to support domestic growth, there is parallel development of laws and regulations, courts, arbitration centres and other soft infrastructure. This, together with the emergence of financial free zones, contributes to changing client demand patterns. The introduction of new legislation …
Continue reading “The collaborative approach”
Interview with...
Lydian’s employment, pensions, and benefits partner on what sets his firm apart in the Belgium market and the challenges facing his clients
What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional and personal capability? In a law firm, it is all about teamwork and people. You can only deliver high quality services to your clients when you have a strong team of experienced and talented lawyers around you. I am very proud of the team of 17 …
Continue reading “Jan Hofkens: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”
