National Jurist - November 2007 - (Page 29)

ontier The best international law firms: Why they made the cut International law is the buzzword of the new century, and law firms across the U.S. and worldwide have jumped in to handle the growing needs of clients. But the very best international firms go far beyond traditional public international law. And they all look for the same thing in possible associates — including cultural sensitivity, ambition and brightness. The Lawyer, a London-based legal publication, recognizes the top international firms each year for their adoption of global practices and success in transnational practice when in comes to both their offices and their clients. “You need to look for law firms that not only have international presence, but also practice across international boundaries,” says Michael Pollack, partner and director of strategic planning at Reed Smith, LLP, second on the list this year. What sets Reed Smith apart from other law firms is its collaborative and interactive practice, Pollack said. The firm’s 1,500 lawyers — a third of them in Europe — work together on behalf of clients. Attorneys at the firm can spend weeks or months at one of the firm’s local offices to work on cases or to simply get exposure to other legal cultures. Pollack, for example, spends about half of his time in Philadelphia and the other half in the firm’s London office. Being an international law firm means “fundamentally understanding the firm-wide implications of things that take place around the world,” Pollack said. The collegial atmosphere at the Salans law firm helped the full-service international firm make the top three, says Lora Moffatt, partner in Salans’ intellectual property department. Moffatt works regularly with the firm’s offices and clients in Paris, London, Moscow, and Warsaw, among other locations. “The work flows in both directions,” said Moffatt. “We want to be international. We want our clients to be international, and we give them a platform to work off of.” For Moffatt, what makes a truly great international firm is its attitude in dealing with clients. Even more important than studying international law, is learning to work with local foreign attorneys on BY URSULA FURI-PERRY 2006 Winner: DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary 2nd: Linklaters 3rd: Baker & McKenzie Shortlisted: Gide Loyrette Nouel Latham & Watkins White & Case 2005 Winner: Sullivan & Cromwell Second: Weil Gotshal & Manges Third: Gide Loyrette Nouel Shortlisted: Latham & Watkins Linklaters Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy 2004 Winner: Linklaters Second: Sullivan & Cromwell Third: Shearman & Sterling November 2007 THE NATIONAL JURIST 29

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - November 2007

National Jurist - November 2007 Contents Disturbing the Peace For the Record Blogs: The Death-knell for Law Reviews? Chemerinsky Heads UC-Irvine Ave Maria Dispute Raises ABA Inquiry John Marshall Establishes Veterans Clinic The Firm Report The Paper Chase Chronicles Law School Rankings at Math's Mercy Academic Freedom Called into Question St. Thomas Students Choose ‘Quality of Life’ Experience The Hidden Debt Crisis The Global Frontier International Education has to be a Part of Any Legal Education Employment Defender Career Hotline Off the Bench

National Jurist - November 2007

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