Leen Hooites is a tax and insolvency partner with PlasBossinade Advocaten in Groningen in the Netherlands, which is also an ILN member firm. In this episode, Lindsay and Leen consider the benefits of the firm’s ability to renovate and invest in technology at the start of the pandemic, the importance of in-person engagement despite the efficiency and effectiveness of remote working, and our collective contributions to improving the world around 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 | Leen Hooites, PlasBossinade Advocaten

Recently, I saw a quote that said that adulthood is not one crisis after another, it’s multiple crises, simultaneously, forever.

Is anyone else feeling that way lately?

We had a little bit of a breather this morning when we found out that our Ukrainian colleagues are making their way from Kyiv to safety, but the war for too many continues and the choice to have to leave their homes is a terrible and heartbreaking one. One they shouldn’t have had to make. Should anyone wish to contribute to a reputable NGO, the ILN’s chair recommends this one, which has a long track record – they have been embedded in Ukraine since 2014 and are already supplying Lviv and other places with humanitarian aid.
Continue Reading Leadership Lessons: Navigating a Crisis

Tomorrow is officially the 13th “blogiversary” for Zen & the Art of Legal Networking. At times, it’s difficult to believe that I’ve been writing in this corner of the blogosphere for so long and at other times, it’s flown by. This year in particular has been a lot and it’s hard to find the words to share with you all.

Traditionally, I use this post to either reflect on where we’ve been or what I’ve learned and I appreciate the opportunity to do that each year. It’s not often that we’re able to slow down and take a look back.
Continue Reading Happy 13th Blogiversary to Zen & the Art of Legal Networking!

If you’ve been here a while, you know that I like to look back to find out whether the predictions that we made in the past ever came true – we know that the legal market likes to move slowly, but how slowly? Is the industry that we imagined ten or fifteen years ago where we really are today?

It’s hard to believe that the great recession was 13/14 years ago already, but it’s true. And that means that in the years following the recession, we were all making big promises for change and a “new normal.” (I know, I know, we’re entering yet another “new normal” following the pandemic, which of course only reminds us that the only constant is change.)
Continue Reading Did We Ever Adjust to that “New Normal”?

I’m not big on resolutions.

Some years, I have some, other years I don’t, but they’re generally things I’d like to add more of to my life (like the year I decided I would try to learn how to knit – I’ve been crocheting since I was about five – yes, these are two different things).

Do I always have a business development plan? Yes.

So what am I advocating here? Sheer anarchy??

Uh, no. Don’t worry.
Continue Reading Resolve to Throw Out Your Business Development Plan Today

We’ve launched the eighth edition of our corporate guide!

The International Lawyers Network’s Corporate Specialty Group is delighted to announce the eighth release of its corporate publication, “Establishing a Business Entity: An International Guide.” This collaborative electronic guide offers a summary of key corporate law principles in 42 countries across the globe, serving as a quick, practical reference for those establishing an entity in these jurisdictions.
Continue Reading ILN Releases 8th Edition of Corporate Publication, Offering a Summary of Key Corporate Law Principles in 42 Countries

We’ve launched the second edition of our Insolvency guide!

The International Lawyers Network’s Restructuring & Insolvency Group has announced the second release of its publication, “Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Rehabilitation Proceedings: An International Guide.” This collaborative electronic guide offers a summary of key insolvency and bankruptcy law principles in 15 countries across the globe, serving as a quick, practical reference for those needing assistance in these jurisdictions.
Continue Reading ILN Releases 2nd Edition of “Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Rehabilitation Proceedings” Guide

Mythily Katsaris is a partner with Fladgate LLP, a firm focused on partnerships with its clients and a member of the International Lawyers Network. In this episode, Lindsay and Mythily discuss the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on women, particularly women of color, burnout, the changing legal profession, client empathy, and the impact of the pandemic on leadership and leadership opportunities.

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

Continue Reading Law Firm ILN-telligence Podcast | Mythily Katsaris, Fladgate LLP

Bad news everyone.

There’s no magic bullet when it comes to LinkedIn. Or, for that matter, any business development or marketing tool.

There’s only strategy and hard work.

Anyone who tells you differently is selling something.

Are there instances where you’ll connect with someone and they’ll immediately buy your services or you’ll write a post and it will go viral? Absolutely! That’s down to luck (and sometimes, strategy and hard work behind the scenes). But it’s not because there’s some trick to it all. You’re not going to suddenly “figure it all out” and have one tool be doing all the work for you and bringing you lots and lots of clients. It doesn’t work like that.
Continue Reading LinkedIn for Lawyers: There’s no Magic Bullet

“Unwrap” the latest edition of the ILN Real Estate Group’s Guide for Buying & Selling Real Estate!

The International Lawyers Network’s Real Estate Specialty Group is excited to announce the sixth release of its real estate publication, “Buying & Selling Real Estate: An International Guide.” This collaborative electronic guide offers a summary of key real