Conference programme
Networking reception - Wednesday 17 March 2010
18.30 Drinks reception and networking
21.30 Carriages
Conference programme - Thursday 18 March 2010
09.30 Registration & morning coffee
09.55 Chairman’s opening remarks
John Malpas, editor-in-chief & publisher, Legal
Week
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HERE TO LISTEN TO JOHN MALPAS' INTRODUCTION TO THE INDEPENDENT LAW FIRMS
FORUM
10.00 Keynote: Current state of European economy
Following the challenges presented during 2009, this keynote will give
an overview of the European economies and what should be expected for the next
12 months. Many economic indicators have direct links to law firm operations and
the current developments are to be taken into consideration when planning the
future of your firm.
Roger Nightingale, global economist, Pointon York
10.30 Panel discussion: Lessons from the frontline
With the recession putting costs under review, many firms are
retrenching with several pulling out of jurisdictions they no longer deem key.
How is the market shaping up for the resultant spin-off firms, why did they
chose to start their own practice and what do they do differently – and does a
reduction in the presence of international firms mean local independents benefit
from less competition?
Marc Blom, chairman, NautaDutilh, Netherlands
John Kettle, partner, Mason Hayes + Curran, Ireland
Pedro Pais de Almeida, partner, Abreu Advogados, Portugal
11.15 Interactive Focus Groups: Keeping up to date with the market
A. Understanding clients: domestic vs. international clients
Domestic and international clients have different outlooks and different demands
from their advisers. How should firms distinguish between the two and how has
the economic downturn affected these relationships?
Joanna Day, head of retail legal, Santander UK plc
Charles Martin, senior partner, Macfarlanes, UK
Vittorio Noseda, managing partner, NCTM, Italy
B. Adapting to survive: how firms have responded
With the dramatic decline in big-ticket deals, law firms are turning
their attention to the mid-market to make up the shortfall in work. This session
will look at the key sectors throwing up work and issues advisers should be
aware of.
Alex Holtum, director, International Law Firm Solutions, UK
Pav Younis, partner, Weinhold Legal, Czech Republic
C. Building alliances: the future of networks
As many firms see office openings in the current market as risky or too
expensive, legal alliances are coming to the fore once more. This session will
look at which structures work best and help participants understand the value of
larger networks and how to go about joining them.
Jan Hofkens, managing partner, Lydian, Belgium
Filipe Lowndes Marques, partner, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles,
Soares da Silva & Associados, Portugal
Charles Vernon, managing partner, Vernon|David, Romania
12.30 Networking lunch
14.00 Interactive focus groups – Keeping up to date with the firm
A. Developing new products & services
With clients’ minds on cutting costs, law firms are coming under
increasing pressure to add value to their services. How can independent firms
use this opportunity to cross-sell and win new business?
Ari-Pekka Saanio, partner, Borenius & Kemppinen, Finland
Anders Worsøe, managing partner, Magnusson, Denmark
Ori Wiener, consultant, Gara Consulting, Germany
B. Acquiring and integrating new teams
The departure of international firms from certain jurisdictions, plus
many independents refocusing their business has given local firms the chance to
make opportunistic hires. This session will look at how best to integrate new
teams, as well as consolidate existing ones.
Carl-Henrik Wallin, managing partner, Hannes Snellman, Finland
Christoph Lindinger, managing partner, Schoenherr, Austria
C. Building effective support functions
Over many years law firms have been able to grow. It is of great
importance to distinguish between organic growth and acquisitions. Structuring
the support functions is key to performance and efficiency. The focus group will
review how independent law firms deal with the need for e.g. Finance or HR
Directors.
Filip Klavins, managing partner, Klavins & Slaidins LAWIN,
Latvia
Peter Lakatos, founding partner, Lakatos, Köves & Partners,
Hungary
Fernando Quicios, partner, Perez–Llorca, Spain
15.15 Panel discussion: Coming out of the recession – has there been
a permanent change in client expectations?
The global recession has led to predictions that there will be a
permanent shift in the way clients expect legal services to be delivered. With
the help of key findings from the latest Legal Week Intelligence Client
Satisfaction Survey, this panel will debate the extent to which law firms must
change their practices in order to prosper in this new environment.
Luis de Carlos, managing partner, Uría Menéndez, Spain
Joanna Day, head of retail legal, Santander UK plc
Des Cahill, director of research, Legal Week Intelligence
15.55 Chairman’s closing remarks
John Malpas, editor-in-chief, Legal Week
16.00 Close of conference
To reserve your place at the Independent Law Firms Forum 2010, download and return the booking form or call Moira McCarthy on +44 (0)20 7004 7436. Alternatively, please email legalweekconference@incisivemedia.com
