Week Two Recap & Highlights

Another week and we are over halfway through the WLG Fall eConference. We are thrilled to see so many of you taking part in multiple sessions. There is still time to sign up for the last week of sessions including topics on Brexit, venture capital, M&A, and a special closing session covering the office of the presidency with guest speaker, Bill Antholis, Director and CEO of the Miller Center.
 
Remember, colleagues in your firm are welcome to attend as well. Feel free to share this recap and the agenda with them. Full schedule details are on the right panel of this email. Unless the session notes that it is restricted to a specific group (e.g. KCPs only), you’re welcome to invite clients. 

Speed Networking

• Speed networking remains a popular and fun way for members to connect with new and familiar faces. The ongoing feedback and ideas generated support WLG initiatives and member business development. 
• Practice and industry groups have the option to add speed networking to their regular meetings to encourage peer-to-peer business development. 
• More business development opportunities, including speed networking and member sip and chats, will be promoted through the remainder of 2020 and 2021. 

Challenges for Infrastructure Projects in the Current Environment

• While supply chain issues have impacted the ability to continue projects under construction, the challenge is not insurmountable.
• Many constructors and suppliers have attempted to call Force Majeure to get additional time and costs for projects. While there are a number of disputes on the market, there is a lot of goodwill and parties are resolving them outside of court to avoid additional delays. Future contracts will need to consider pandemics.
• Governments are fast-tracking “shovel ready” projects to stimulate a post-COVID economy.
• There is a substantial move for environment social governance (ESG) investing and tax incentives for green energy investments.
• In Singapore, there is a focus to get domestic projects back on track, however elsewhere countries are still investing in both domestic and foreign projects.  There is no shortage in capital for projects. 
View Recording

Business in the Americas: A Review of the Geopolitical Landscape

• Mexico and Argentina's political leadership has changed in the past 12 months leaning the countries to the left. Latin America's GDP has been hit but recovery is expected to be higher than average. M&A transactions are picking up in the latter half of the year, and there is growth in the education, life sciences, and technology sectors. 
• Laws, politics, and economies vary greatly from province to province in Canada making the business landscape for new investment challenging. Canada is tightly linked to the US and with reduced obstacles under the current US administration, southbound investment and M&A activity trended upward in the past four years but is expected to stall if there is a change in administration.
• In the US, pandemic handling was managed by individual states with varying results. As the winners and the losers of the pandemic become more clear, banks, anecdotally, have renewed confidence to support deals which are trickling down to the mid- and lower-level market.
• All jurisdictions anxiously await the results of the US election which will impact the country’s global relations.
View Recording

Key Contact Partners Lounge

• A small but mighty group of KCPs enjoyed catching up with one another and considering the prospects of when we will be able to connect in person again. Be sure to add the last week's KCP lounge to your calendar. 

How to Pursue and Develop BD Opportunities & Strategies in the Virtual Environment

• It’s important to get young lawyers involved with clients. Consider having them be responsible for keeping up-to-date information on new programs and laws related to COVID and have them help more seasoned lawyers run virtual meetings so they have face time with clients.
• The low-hanging fruit of new business is your existing clients. In a way, the virtual environment makes it easier to cross-sell. Have practice groups host internal virtual programs discussing important issues that clients are dealing with and share more generally about their practices.
• Getting new clients in the virtual world is possible. Dig your heels in deeper in the associations and networks (like World Law Group!) that you are already involved in, leverage senior leadership within your firm to open doors, and have branded partners within industry sectors.
• Don’t be afraid to take risks, double down on your existing relationships, stay in touch with clients.
View Recording

             
We look forward to seeing you next week. 

Ashley LeCroy
World Law Group Manager, Events & Member Programs
+1 202 904 2477