Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff is in Washington DC this week, attending the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of International Law Spring Meeting.
The spring meeting is one of the most important events for international lawyers, with over 1,500 attendees expected at this year's event.
Ms Scott-Moncrieff will lead a delegation of UK law firms forming part of a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)-supported trade mission, seeking to strengthen commercial links between UK and American law firms.
Working with UKTI London, the Law Society is organising a programme of activities to help UK lawyers get the most out of the meeting and their time in Washington DC.
The programme includes:
- a market briefing with UKTI to provide market intelligence on growth sectors and business development opportunities for UK law firms in the DC area;
- a networking reception for UK law firms, leading local firms, general counsel, and members of the ABA Section of International Law at the British Embassy in Washington DC, hosted by Ms Scott-Moncrieff and deputy ambassador Philip Barton.
As part of the official spring meeting programme, Ms Scott-Moncrieff will join the panel at a session on the future of the legal profession and a networking event discussing the role of women in the law.
Ms Scott-Moncrieff is also due to meet with foreign bar associations, including the Japanese Bar Association and the Korean Bar Association, as well as UK firms based in DC.
Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, president of the Law Society, said:
'It may sound clichéd to talk of a 'special relationship' but the US is a natural partner for many UK law firms and their clients.
'This is the fifth year the Law Society is attending the spring meeting, in order to support our members in developing their transatlantic ties. We look forward to building further links in October as the ABA's International Section come together for their fall meeting in London.
'Most UK firms have offices in New York, but there is increased interest in Washington DC with two magic circle firms opening DC offices in the past two years.'
Elizabeth Fehnrich, international trade adviser for UKTI London, said:
'We are delighted to be able to help London firms attend this conference and develop links with their counterparts in the USA. We hope these links will lead to strong relationships benefiting the flow of trade and investment between our two countries.'
Ends
Notes to editors
- The American Bar Association (ABA) Section of International Law 2013 Spring Meeting takes place in Washington DC, 23 − 27 April 2013.
- Over 1,500 attendees are expected at this year's event in Washington DC.
- UK firms joining the trade mission include Alliott Group, CM Murray, Merchant Legal, Mishcon de Reya, Peters and Peters, Sherrards, and SJ Berwin.
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