Hall of fame: Robert W Zelnick
Robert W Zelnick talks about his successful work at McDermott Will & Emery LLP.
What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional and personal capability? I was first-chair trial counsel for a major boat manufacturer, which was sued under a then-new federal law that protected ornamental boat designs. This was the first federal court case to consider the new law, and the case included additional trade dress and …
Hall of fame: William Perkins
The Legal 500 Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence
What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional and personal capability? Receiving a Cornerstone award for pro bono legal representation of a not for profit organization that provides employment, education, health, legal, social, business development and youth services in Flatbush, Brooklyn. What do you do differently from your peers in the industry? Because I …
Hall of fame: Yasmine Tarasewicz
Yasmine Tarasewicz predicts the biggest challenge for clients in the face of new potential legislation.
What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional and personal capability? Having trained a new generation of lawyers who have impressive legal skills but are also business-minded, client-oriented and conscious of their social responsibilities. What do you do differently from your peers in the industry? Thanks to our international mindset, my team focuses first …
Interview with: Esteban Raventós
The newest member of Baker McKenzie’s global executive committee talks about entrenching diversity, innovation, and adapting to the thinking of new lawyers.
Tell us about yourself and your practice? I have always been practicing in tax in two main areas: tax transactions and wealth management. Over the last 20 years, I have had management roles in the firm, both locally as managing partner of the Barcelona office, and regionally and globally within my specialty, taxation. In addition, …
Continue reading “Why I became a lawyer? Curiosity and youthful rebellion”
The Bar
Fiona Horlick QC explains what it means to take silk a century after women obtained the right to enter the profession and why it’s important the next generation sees more female leaders.
It is both a proud and humbling moment to be selected for appointment to silk after a rigorous selection process. But it is especially so for a woman in the centenary anniversary year of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, the legislation that removed the bar on women joining the profession. The 100 years since …
Interview with: Juan Camilo Rodríguez
CMS Rodríguez-Azuero’s managing partner talks about the challenges facing lawyers in Colombia and the positive impact of his firm’s recent integration into the CMS fold.
How would you define your firm’s culture? How important is that culture to you? Our firm’s culture is based on team work. We work together towards the same goals and objectives. The foundation of our work is based on strong values and principles that guide us to always be client centric and work towards protecting …
The Bar
As the latest batch of silks are sworn in, Michelle Heeley QC offers her advice to those at the Bar considering their next big career leap.
Applying for silk is a big step. It’s expensive, it’s stressful, it’s time consuming and yet, every year hundreds of barristers and solicitors put themselves through the tortuous process. If you are considering applying, then this article is written to give you a few things to consider before you send off that cheque for £3,000. …
Interview with: Nick Thomas
Kennedys’ senior partner talks future proofing for Brexit, the firm’s expansion across Latin America, and why clients should see their lawyers as human beings.
What is the leadership structure at Kennedys? As the senior partner of Kennedys I am supported by a global strategy board which meets monthly. The board includes partners from across our global network of offices, ensuring that global perspectives are always considered in advance of any key developments at the firm. In addition to this, …
Continue reading “Legal
ability is no more than permission to play”
Career corner
The Legal 500 Hall of Famer and Dechert partner Andrew L. Oringer reflects on the ever-changing nature of ERISA and how young lawyers can take advantage of the practice’s ongoing evolution.
I’ve been asked to write about issues facing US lawyers in the area of ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 1974) and executive compensation (for convenience, I’ll consider the executive compensation practice to be a part of the ERISA practice, in references below). I think the keyword here is ‘change’ – it’s clear to …
Continue reading “The one constant is that there is no constant”
Interview with: Rafael Briz
Mayora & Mayora’s senior partner extolls the virtues of flexible working and work-life balance for associates.
How would you define Mayora & Mayora’s culture? I would define our firm’s culture externally as one that is centred on personalised service to the client. The partners and associates in charge of handling cases know every detail of the case and this allows us to provide an excellent service to the client. Internally, the …
Continue reading “Morning person or late riser?
It doesn’t matter”