Thursday, April 6, I’ll be participating
in Indiana University
Law School’s "Globalization
Conference," organized by my good friend Prof. William
Henderson. From the summary of the symposium:
"Much has been written on the process of globalization
and its effects on international and individual state
law. The impact of globalization on the legal profession
has received far less systematic attention, despite a
universal recognition that the practice of law and the
economic and personal lives of lawyers may be on the
brink of profound transformation."The purpose of this
unique symposium is to initiate dialogue about how globalization
is fundamentally changing the work lives and professional
opportunities of lawyers in the U.S. and abroad. Prominent
figures in the global legal industry will explore various
interrelated themes on the issues facing legal profession,
including law firm strategy, the relevance of geography,
the lawmaking role of transnational lawyers, and how
cultural norms affect or shape our perceptions of ethical
lawyering. The program will include presentation of scholarly
papers and responses by symposium participants."
Some of those participating include R.
Bruce McLean, Chairman of Akin-Gump, Patrick
McKenna of
Edge International, Larry
Ribstein. and
yours truly.
You can register here ($50
for IU alumni, $100 for everyone else) and find out how
to get to Bloomington here. Earn
CLE credit (woooheee!).
Having been to Bloomington previously
and enjoyed the Law School’s hospitality, I can report
that it is a quintessential Midwestern college town,
with the brick sidewalks, shady avenues, frat-house
row, and surfeit of used bookstores that are de rigueur.
I am somewhat surprised that no one will be discussing the impact that GATS (the General Agreement on Trade in Services) will have on lowering jurisdictional barriers that presently make it difficult for lawyers qualified in one jurisdiction to practice in another. Once the barriers to entry are lowered, it will be far easier for law firms with global aspirations to open foreign offices and practice not only their “home” law but also the law of the local jurisdiction. This will particularly assist in opening closed jurisdictions like India, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and, to a lesser degree, China. It will also make it easier for foreign law firms to have access to the world’s most lucrative legal market, the U.S.