Assistant Attorney-at-Law Andrius Būdvytis Law firm Pukas and partners K.Donelaičio str. 71-2, Kaunas Tel. +370 6 8790090 Fax. +370 7 321919 Email: andriusbudvytis@yahoo.com 2005-10-15, Kaunas, Lithuania REPORT On International Bar Association Conference 25-30 September, 2005, Prague In the spring of 2005 from the Lithuanian Bar Association I received a letter, concerning the annual International Bar Association Conference in Prague on the 25-30 of September 2005. In the prospect was settled the information that The IBA offers a fund from which scholarships are awarded to young lawyers who wish to participate in the Annual Conference, but are unable to do so owing to financial constraints. Interested persons are invited to apply for a scholarship, which will cover accommodation and provide a contribution towards registration and travel costs for the Conference. The scholarship will also include two years free membership of the IBA, LPD and PPID, including two free Committees, a waiver of either the next IBA Annual Conference registration fee or the registration fee of one of your chosen Committees annual Conferences in 2006 and free membership of the Scholarship Alumni Group. Since I am interested in the development of my legal practise, at once I decided to apply for the scholarship. Fortunately I was awarded the scholarship. My performance in the International Bar Association Conference, held on the 25-30 September, 2005, in Prague day by day: 23 th of September (Friday), 2005 The day of arrival. I arrived only in the evening, so I decided to stay in the hotel and have some rest before next day s training courses. 24 th of September (Saturday), 2005 All of the scholars, who arrived including me, participated in the Training Course on the European Company, which was held at the Czech Bar Association. This highly interactive course provided exposure to the international legal business practise, which, in light of the current climate of globalisation, is becoming increasingly important for the next generation of the profession. Several speakers spoke about the historical development of SE, involvement of employees of SE, discussed how to structure SE, overlooked tax treatment of the SE. Finally, the speakers came to the conclusion that SE is important developing cross border activity but concluded that the benefit of SE depends on many issues. For me topic about SE 1
was not a new thing but it was really interesting to find out brief and different approaches of the SE. The evening was spent socializing with the other scholars, tasting Czech cuisine, visiting Prague old town. 25 th of September (Sunday), 2005 On Sunday I had to perform three events registration, Scholars meeting and Welcome Party in the Municipal House. During the Scholars meeting each of us introduced ourselves, listened the main instructions on sessions, dress, how to write report, met our buddies. Some free time was spent reviewing legal publishers, settled in the Conference Hall, gathering legal material. The second day was finished with the wonderful Welcome Party in the Municipal House. I spent a very good time there, it was a good opportunity to make new contacts, have an interesting talks. 26 th of September (Monday), 2005 Participation in the Opening Ceremony. The president of Czech Republic opened the Conference. I was surprised by a huge number of delegates from different countries. I have never participated in such big Conference. On the first part of the day I attended Showcase Session about enforcement of EU law and competition law by private parties. This showcase discussed the channels available for private parties to enforce EU law and competition law, be in relation to Member States, authorities or other private parties. Since it was not my working field, and I don t meet problems discussed in this session in my legal practise yet, the session broadens my view in this field. Second part of the day was spent attending the session about compensation for management and directors in M&A transactions. The speakers examined employment matters to be reviewed before and after completion of a transaction, the intrinsic principle/agency problems, corporate governance matters and incentives such as golden parachutes, success fees, and long-term employment contract, ect. I found this session very interesting. In Lithuania in last years we have more and more M&A transactions (124 transactions in 2001 comparing with 245 transaction in 2004), so the know ledges, practise received in this session could be used assisting the clients in these transactions. In the evening I attended the Reception in the grounds of Prague Castle hosted by the Czech Bar Association and Czech law firms. It was not only a good place to socialize with the delegates of the Conference but also it was a good possibility to have mini historical tour on Czech s history. 27 th of September (Tuesday), 2005 On Tuesday I attended the session about Law Firm Management. Various speakers talked about how to manage, motivate and develop the partners. The session took place the whole day. Several issues were discussed during the session: partnership structures and the role of the partner, personal and professional development of partners and partner s compensations. Session about partnership structures and the role of the partner examined the role and contribution of partners in 2
today s modern law firms. Session about personal and professional development of partners mostly discussed managing partner s performance, partner review, partner development, coaching partners and developing partners into firm leaders. The last day s session partner compensation looked at different profit-sharing schemes operated by firms and the criteria used to determine partner compensation. I was of big interest of Tuesday s session. Nevertheless it lasted the whole day, I found out a lot of interesting things. The speakers discussed different approaches, speakers represented different continents, different sizes of law firms, so it was the possibility to know how different organisations solve the same problems. In the nearest future I am going to set up my own law firm, so the knowledge and practical issues gotten during this session will be very valuable. Tuesday was completed with the participation in the Newcomer s Reception. 28 th of September (Wednesday), 2005 On Wednesday I continued the acquaintance with Law Firm Management. In the early morning I attended Managing Partner s Breakfast and later joined the session Why bigger is not always better developing and marketing the smaller firm. Since this conference is the first for me and I participated in the events as a scholar, I wanted to attend as much sessions as I could. The decision to take part in Managing Partner s Breakfast was right. I met there interesting people, got useful advises. During the whole day session Why bigger is not always better developing and marketing the smaller firm to my mind, very important issues were discussed: 1. Challenges in managing small law firms this session included the results of a worldwide survey of managing partners of small law firms conducted in July and August 2005. 2. Maintaining the balance the issue how managing partners and their firms manage the dual responsibilities of management and full-time law practice were discussed. 3. Competing for talent during this session I could find out how small law firms can compete and retain legal talent against larger and betterknown firms. 4. Marketing the small firm the speakers shared their experience how small law firm can create a strong market profile, a marketing culture and develop lasting, profitable client relationship. 5. Succession planning: a survival skill for small law firms. It was stated that most small law firms do not survive the retirement of their founding partners. The issue how small law firms can pass management responsibilities and client relationship to the next generation was discussed. Tuesday and Wednesday sessions were the most interesting for me. In Lithuania we don t have any methodical material, concerning the set up and development of the law firm. I received a lot of interesting and valuable advises and practical issues. After the conference I am continuing to develop this topic and have intentions to join Law firm management Committee. 29 th of September (Thursday), 2005 3
Since the schedule of the conference was very intensive, the first part of the day I decided to spend having some sightseeing of the Prague. After lunch I attended the session of general interest Turn contacts into clients: five simple steps. This session helped me turn more contacts into clients, expand my practise into areas I want, identify the targets, find a reason to be in touch, maintain a relationship. During the session the delegates were divided into small groups, discussed on several issues. Practical work in groups led to master the skills more easy. Evening events began with the Young Lawyer s Reception. Once again it was a great pleasure to meet all the scholars, buddies, other young lawyers, talk and drink a glass of wine. Most of us continued the evening in the MECA nightclub. 29 th of September (Friday), 2005 On the last day of the conference I attended the session of general interest Increase the value of current clients: the rainbow approach. As in the yesterday s session, we worked in small groups developing issues how to increase the value of current clients. Since my group consisted of me and other delegates from Africa continent, it was really interesting to find out their approach, discussed and study. Last performance Scholars lunch was sadder event than funny. All of the scholars came to say good-bye to each other. In one week we became good friends, the time elapsed instantly. All of us had an excellent time in conference, in Prague. To the conclusion: The conference was interesting and intensive. Time to time I am participating in various conferences but this one was the most impressive. The conference surpassed all my expectation I got a lot of experience, met new interesting people. After the conference I feel more comfortable and confident. I got al lot of new ideas. Since yet it is only in a vision level but I with other scholars from Spain and Romania are developing some interesting projects. I am glad I had the opportunity to apply for scholarship and attend the conference. To my mind you are doing big job for young lawyers proposing scholarship programme. I am sure I will participate in the IBA s activity in the future. Next step the conference in Chicago. Also I will join some of the committees of the IBA I am interested in. In the future I would like not only participate in the conferences as a delegate but also as a speaker. Having the opportunity, once again I d like to thank Kerri Deegan for the care and assistance. I really the appreciate it. Also I d like to thank our buddies and all scholars for great company and good time. It was a great pleasure for me to meet all of you and I hope not the last time. Sincerely, Andrius Budvytis 4
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