Perspectives
Back from Moscow
This month has been an exciting one for WFJ in expanding its network of business relationships and referral connections. One of the highlights was my trip with Brad Hauswirth, to the World Link for Law Global Conference in Moscow, Russia.
The group of attorneys we met was fantastic, with over 20 countries represented and a shared interest in serving our clients wherever they do business worldwide. We deepened our connection with the firms Hutchings Barsamian in Boston and Pryke, Lambert, Leathley, and Russell in Vancouver; as well as Jim Dawe, David Franklin, and others. In addition to those we met in Chicago at the regional conference, Brad and I met a large number of attorneys for the first time, from across the world, practicing in areas including commercial litigation, anti-trust law, labor law, mergers & acquisitions, and family law. The breadth of World Law Link’s member group was readily apparent, and in break-out sessions, both Brad and I gained a better understanding of the substantial depth and experience of several firms, in their respective practice areas.
The conference had a series of presenters speaking on the Russian legal system, international commercial arbitration, international legal tax considerations, and other interesting topics. One exciting aspect of World Link for Law was that, in addition to growing the services as knowledge we can provide to our clients, we also got to learn about how other countries and cultures deal with creating contracts and resolving disputes. For example, it surprised me that in Russia, there is little to no testimony taken at trial in a commercial dispute. Instead, almost everything is submitted via paper submissions, and the most common experts are handwriting and document authentication experts. Another fascinating piece was the fee structure existing in Vienna where pleadings, motions, and other documents have mandatory set flat fees for each submitted document; and contingent fees are improper in that jurisdiction.
Our time in Moscow wasn’t all work and no play, either. Brad and I participated in a bus tour of Moscow, seeing Red Square, the outside of the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theatre, and what I understood to be a nunnery. We were so captivated by Moscow that we spent the next day exploring the inside of the Kremlin, taking a quick walk back to the Radisson, and going up the Moskva River, which winds through downtown Moscow. I’ve attached a few pictures to share more about our experience at the conference. A huge thank you to Tony Firth, Paul Sillis, and the great many individuals involved in making the 2012 World Link for Law Global Conference work. I know I speak for Brad and myself when I say that it was a great networking event, an informational conference, and a fantastic venue.
Spasibo Balshoye!
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Entry to the Kremlin
The Kremlin, from the Moskva River
Statue of Peter the Great
Matt and Brad on the Moskva