I know, it’s summer and we’re trying to relax.

But just in case you find yourself at a networking event in the next few weeks (or plan to be at one this fall), there are a few key ways you can add value to your attendance in addition to your presence at the event. Of course, when you choose the right one, the networking alone provides a return on your investment.

But we’re often so eager for our actual attendance to equal business that we forget that as with any business development opportunity, it’s not one-and-done. In the dating game, while it might be possible for you to meet someone and marry them the same night, and find lasting happiness, it’s much more likely that you spend time getting to know each other before making a commitment. Your business relationships are much the same. Continue Reading 3 Tips to Translate Networking into Business Opportunities

Summer is often a time that we naturally slow down – the weather is warmer, we feel lazier, more people are out on vacation and we may be out ourselves.

You may be expecting me to suggest a litany of ways you can supercharge the time you have in the office or on your vacation to make the most of it, but I’m not going to do either of those things. First, I’m going to tell you – if you’re taking time away from the office this summer, take it. Delegate your workload as best as you can except for TRUE EMERGENCIES (and be honest with yourself about what those are) and don’t check your emails. Try turning your work email off your phone for the period that you’ll be out of the office. It sounds anxiety-producing, but I promise you that once you do it, it’s really quite freeing. If it feels like you’re neglecting your work, the truth is that we’re all better humans AND better at our jobs when we take a genuine break from our work and come back to it refreshed. Your clients want that for you too. Continue Reading Five Tips to Turn Hot Summer Days into Hot Fall Ideas

Raise your hand if you hate the word “authenticity.”

It’s right up there with some of the other most hated buzzwords and phrases – “at the end of the day,” “thinking outside of the box,” “synergy,” “value add,” “circle back,” “bandwidth.”

Are you cringing yet?

But even though the word “authenticity” might make your skin crawl, it’s actually a pretty important concept – it’s a buzzword for a reason. And actually, I don’t hate it, but I know a lot of people who do! 

One of the most often shared tips for networking is that being authentic is key – whether you’re networking in person or virtually. Continue Reading Authenticity: It’s a Buzzword, but Also the Key to Successful Networking

We are delighted to welcome a new member firm, Akerman, in Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio). The firm will also represent the ILN in New Orleans, Louisiana, Atlanta, Georgia, and Denver, Colorado.

Akerman is a full-service firm known for delivering results across the full scope of their practice areas, including Litigation and Arbitration, Bankruptcy and Reorganization, Consumer Financial Services, Construction, Data and Technology (CFS+); Corporate; Government Affairs and Public Policy; Healthcare; Intellectual Property; Labor and Employment; Real Estate; and Tax. Continue Reading International Lawyers Network Welcomes New Member, Akerman LLP

Tiago Dias José is a partner at MGRA & Associados in Lisbon, Portugal, where he focuses on public law. In this episode, Lindsay and Tiago delve into the ways in which the pandemic and the war in Ukraine continue to impact the legal profession and how lawyers can equally impact these global crises, and managing a law firm in modern times.

You can listen to the podcast here, or we’ve provided a transcript of the highlights below. Continue Reading Law Firm ILN-telligence Podcast | Tiago Dias José | MGRA

Yadira Flores is a partner in Fogler Rubinoff‘s Business Law department and is a member of the firm’s Indigenous Business Law practice group. Myriah Graves is the firm’s Director of Professional Development and formerly a litigator with the firm, who began as an articling student there. In this episode, Lindsay speaks with Yadira and Myriah about the impact of the pandemic on women, both generally and in the legal profession, how the return to work and continuing of hybrid working may continue to disproportionately affect women and their opportunities for advancement, and the ways in which young lawyers have also been impacted. This was a fun and fascinating conversation.

You can listen to the podcast here, or we’ve provided a transcript of the highlights below.

Continue Reading Law Firm ILN-telligence Podcast | Yadira Flores and Myriah Graves | Fogler Rubinoff LLP

Now. Before you freak out and imagine that I’m suggesting that you become either a bard or a liar, just bear with me for a little bit to understand what I mean by “storytelling.” (Hopefully, you’ve also read last week’s post as well.)

Daily, we interact with lots of people – this happens in person, at our offices, in the coffee shop, at our kids’ sporting events, or in art classes. It happens online, through our group chats, text messages with friends, Facebook shares, LinkedIn comments, etc. We interact so much and so frequently, that we’ve reached a real saturation point with these interactions, and even with our professional messages, we can see a lack of care that a lot of us are giving to the details over the tools and the shiny new thing. Instead, we’re just blindly producing more and more and more and more, adding more noise (as Adrian Lurssen would say). Continue Reading Lawyers: Develop Business with Storytelling

We are pleased to announce the addition of C. Mputhia Advocates, Kenya.

C. Mputhia Advocates is an award-winning, Nairobi-based law firm, whose main vision is to be a change agent in the legal and business environment. C.Mputhia advocates recently launched its strategic plan with a theme of pioneering, globalization, and innovation. C.Mputhia advocates offers advice to international businesses seeking to establish a presence in Africa. The firm has provided policy and legislative advisory services for various international bodies including the World Intellectual Property Organization ( WIPO) in drafting the Copyright and Collective Management Organization Regulations for the Kingdom Of Eswatini. Continue Reading International Lawyers Network Welcomes New Member in Kenya

Michael Tinkler is an experienced commercial and real estate lawyer at Burton Partners, the ILN’s member for New Zealand. In this episode, Lindsay and Michael discuss the hot property market in New Zealand, the challenges of finding good talent, and the things that unite us.

You can listen to the podcast here, or we’ve provided a transcript of the highlights below.

Continue Reading Law Firm ILN-telligence Podcast | Michael Tinkler | Burton Partners

Since 2019, I have had the pleasure of being involved in the Empowered Women’s Event series as a committee member, with our organization as an in-kind sponsor. The event focuses on storytelling and according to event founder and host, Susan Freeman,

Stories have a transformative power to allow us to see the world in a different way than we do if we just encounter it on our own. Stories are an entry point to understanding a different experience of the world. Storytelling, presenting a different perspective of the world, is important when it comes to connecting with each other. It gives us an opportunity to learn from another person’s experience and it can shape, strengthen, or challenge our opinions and values. When a story catches our attention and engages us, we are more likely to absorb the message and meaning within it than if the same message was presented simply in facts and figures. When someone tells their own personal story, we catch a glimpse of a view of the world that may be slightly or radically different from our own. When we see the world as they see it, or walk in their shoes, the experience can inspire empathy.”

Continue Reading Why Attend an Event Solely for Women?