Advocacy Matters - Spring 2024

More documents

Recommendations

Info

WORKING AT AN INTERNATIONAL FIRM Beyond Borders: Canadian Lawyers’ Perspectives from International Law Firms Eric Morgan, Kushneryk Morgan LLP Practicing law in Canada does not necessarily mean practicing at a firm with offices only in Canada. International firms have operated in Canada for decades, either by merging with established Canadian firms or growing offices from scratch. Working at an international law firm can add interesting dimensions to a law practice, but also comes with a complex landscape of structures, collaborations, and conflict management strategies unique to each firm. One significant allure of working at an international law firm is the opportunity to handle complex, cross-border cases. Chloe Snider, a litigation partner at Dentons LLP, the world’s largest law firm by number of lawyers, highlighted the global platform offered by her firm which enables 22
her to engage in diverse legal matters spanning different jurisdictions. From collaborating with colleagues in Amsterdam on enforcement of foreign judgments to working on cross-border M&A arbitrations with a New York counterpart, Snider emphasized the enriching experiences and professional relationships fostered through these interactions. "These are things I wouldn’t get to do without the global platform," she said. Similarly, Jeff Rosekat at Dickinson Wright LLP (a firm with offices across the U.S. and Canada), underscored the appeal of working on cross-border insolvencies, citing the challenging nature of these kinds of cases. "Having that strength on both sides of the border means that we provide a unique seamless approach for clients who are involved in cross-border insolvencies." Rosekat noted the firm's goal of providing a comprehensive North American service to clients globally, aiming to be a "one-stop North American shop." In terms of firm structure and collaboration, Snider explained that her firm operates as a Swiss Verein, comprising different partnerships. Despite this, collaboration is actively encouraged, with global practice groups and industry groups facilitating cooperation across regions. “Some of my closest friends at the firm are from the U.S. region as a result of file-driven work, partner meetings and regular Zoom calls.” Similarly, Rosekat noted his firm's emphasis on collaboration, describing it as "one firm that just happens to have a bunch of offices." Rosekat highlighted that lawyers across offices work together, not only on cross-border matters but also in leveraging subject matter expertise to address client needs effectively. Regarding managing conflicts, Dentons’ conflicts are handled at a global level, with a concerted effort towards streamlining conflict checks across regions. Dickinson Wright LLP implements a collaborative approach in their intake and conflict checking processes. Working at an international law firm in Canada offers lawyers a blend of complex legal work and opportunities for professional growth, while needing to navigate complex challenges that come with those opportunities. 23
Page 1 and 2: ADVOCACY MATTERS The Advocates’ S
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS 05 07 10 12 15 19 22 24 27
Page 5 and 6: CHAIR CHAT Chair Chat Steven G. Fra
Page 7 and 8: SECTION RETURN TO TITLE WORK In Per
Page 9 and 10: yourself alone and logging into vid
Page 11 and 12: urning the candle at both ends to m
Page 13 and 14: Dunn (two members of the three-pers
Page 15 and 16: JUSTICE DELAYED PART II Justice Del
Page 17 and 18: factums. In the event the case mana
Page 19 and 20: MENTOR BURNOUT Word to the Wise: Ho
Page 21: ing commutes to and from the office
Page 25 and 26: 1. Give your undivided attention Li
Page 27 and 28: Q: The 2024 Winter Summit: The Big
Page 29 and 30: The Patrick D. Schmidt Future of Fa
Page 31 and 32: 31

Advocacy Matters - Spring 2024

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?