For years, lawyers have been told to “be on social media.”

But in 2026, that advice is no longer enough—and frankly, it’s not very helpful.

The reality is that social media is no longer just a visibility tool. It has become a core part of how lawyers build relationships, maintain networks, and stay top of mind across jurisdictions.

And importantly, it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing it differently.

Continue Reading Supercharge Your Networking with Social Media: A Lawyer’s Guide (2026 Update)

Over the years I’ve written quite a bit about client service and what lawyers can do to strengthen relationships with their clients. Recently I’ve been thinking about how much the expectations placed on lawyers have changed — and how the role of the lawyer continues to evolve.

For many years, lawyers have talked about the importance of becoming “trusted advisors” to their clients. That idea is not new.

What is new is the environment in which clients are operating — and the range of issues that now shape the legal questions they bring to their lawyers.

But what does that really mean in today’s marketplace?

Continue Reading What Clients Expect from Their Lawyers in a More Complex World

Cross-border disputes often require legal teams in multiple jurisdictions to work together quickly and effectively. For firms that participate in international legal networks, these relationships can make it much easier to connect clients with trusted counsel who already know how to collaborate.

A recent matter involving Ahlawat & Associates in India and Epstein Becker Green in the United States demonstrates how these connections can help clients navigate complex international litigation.

Continue Reading Cross-Border Litigation Success: ILN Firms Collaborate on U.S.–India Trade Secrets Dispute

As 2025 comes to a close, the International Lawyers Network reflects on a year defined by connection, collaboration, and meaningful engagement across our global community.

From in-person conferences and virtual programming to thought leadership and cross-border referrals, this year showcased what makes the ILN work: committed member firms, active collaboration, and a shared focus on delivering high-quality legal support to clients with international needs.

Continue Reading ILN 2025 Highlights: A Year of Global Collaboration and Momentum

As 2025 comes to a close (this year has FLOWN), I’ve been thinking about what it has meant — for the International Lawyers Network, for the legal profession, and for me personally as someone who spends her days at the intersection of connection, leadership, and global collaboration.

It wasn’t a year where I published as much as I would have liked (isn’t that always the way?), but it was a year full of learning, recalibration, and growth. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned after nearly two decades of community-building in the legal industry, it’s this:

Continue Reading What 2025 Taught Me About Community, Leadership, and Showing Up

With recent shifts in trade policies and tariffs, lawyers are increasingly called upon to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. We’ve long recognized that today’s legal advisors must act as business partners to their clients, but the reality is that geopolitical awareness is now a critical component of that role.

The practice of law doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The global stage is playing an increasingly powerful role in shaping how our clients do business. This truth was underscored at our two most recent ILN conferences — first in October 2024, when we hosted a panel discussion on the potential legal and economic impacts of the U.S. presidential election, and again this May in Bucharest, where our European members examined how U.S. tariffs are affecting clients around the world.

Continue Reading The Evolving Role of Lawyers as Geopolitical Analysts

Being a good communicator is central to being a good lawyer.

Last month, I sat in on a fireside chat between President Obama and the president of my alma mater, Hamilton College. As someone widely regarded as one of the most gifted public speakers in recent U.S. history, Obama shared the four key skills he believes every great communicator needs. Naturally, I took notes.

Continue Reading Want to Be a Better Lawyer? Start by Being a Better Communicator

Last week, many people tuned in to hear former President Barack Obama speak during an hour-long fireside chat filled with thoughtful insights and meaningful advice. What many don’t know is that this powerful conversation took place at my alma mater — Hamilton College.

Alumni had the opportunity to attend live or via video link. I opted for the latter (because I couldn’t get tickets) and took pages of notes — on what it means to be a strong communicator, how future leaders can engage with artificial intelligence, and how we all can make a difference. One theme that stood out was Obama’s advice for bridging gaps — something that feels especially vital in today’s fractured world.

Continue Reading What President Obama Taught Me (Again) About Bridging Gaps

Last week, I woke up with a migraine and a heavy heart.

If I’m honest, I was also angry. Very angry.

In part, that’s because I saw people – especially those with privilege and platforms – suddenly speaking out in defense of the rule of law, urging others to join them. And listen, that matters. It matters a lot.

But the first thing that I wondered was: Where have you been?

Continue Reading When It’s Safe to Speak Up

I was an early adopter of virtual networking. As an introvert and remote worker, for me, the ability to connect from my computer from wherever I am has a variety of benefits and always will – I know that I’m not alone in this. While I am confident that it’s possible to build and sustain strong personal relationships online, there is no true replacement for in-person connection. I know that we all lead incredibly busy lives, so it’s tempting to sign up for that one-hour or even three-hour virtual session instead of committing to a three-day event out of the office, especially when it means time away from your family. But I want to assure you that even if you use virtual networking to stay engaged, your relationships are suffering from the lack of your in-person presence.

Continue Reading Taking It Offline: Why In-Person Connections Still Matter in a Virtual World