SCG Legal extends its appreciation to host firm — GvW Graf von Westphalen — for Its generous support of the 2023 Annual Meeting!

********************

Presentations

Session titles link to videos, presenter names link to bios.
Click HERE for the full 2023 Annual Meeting Agenda.

WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Christof Kleinmann and Dr. Robert Theissen, Managing Partners, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Mark Dunphy, Partner, Hall & Wilcox (Australia: Melbourne) | Board Chair, SCG Legal
Alina Gorokhovsky, CEO, SCG Legal

KEYNOTE: THE FUTURE READY LAWYER – LEADING CHANGE
Christian Lindemann, Managing Director and Head of Business Unit Legal & Regulatory, Wolters Kluwer Deutschland

LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES: ESG & DEI INITIATIVES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MATTER
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environment, social, and governance (ESG) are continuing concerns in the business and legal communities. While successful DEI and ESG initiatives would undoubtedly benefit the legal industry, many firms struggle to seamlessly incorporate them into existing cultures. As a result, effective DEI and ESG programs are moving targets for law firm executives, and corporate general counsel. These dynamic and evolving efforts warrant a deeper dive into how achievable targets can be structured for success. Law firm leaders will discuss the challenges and changes that have emerged over the past few years as well as the importance of including effective initiatives into firm business activities and culture.
Moderator
Ken Baldwin, Robinson+Cole LLP (US: Connecticut)
Panelists
Dr. Martin Fischer, Vice President, General Counsel EMEA, Celanese
Dr. Annika Bleier, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Brian Burdick, Barnes & Thornburg LLP (US: Indiana)
Cristina Sánchez Vebber, Sánchez Devanny (Mexico)

NAVIGATING THE WORLD: AN UPDATE ON KEY GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT LAWS & TRENDS
Panelists will share the latest employment law updates and trends impacting multinational employers with business operations across the globe, including: the impact of the current social and political climate on multinational employers; new significant legislative developments; DEI advancements and trends; best practices for a flexible workforce (addressing remote and hybrid workforce); and evolving cross-border remote working arrangements and associated challenges.
Moderator
Ulrike Weber, Vice President Human Resources EMEA, Sysmex Europe
Panelists
Sarah Marmor, Scharf Banks Marmor LLC (US: Chicago)
Porfírio Moreira, Ferreira Pinto Cardigos Advogados (Portugal)
Aaron Makovka, Dunton Rainville (Canada: Quebec)
Ottavio Sangiorgio, Pirola Pennuto Zei E Associati (Italy)
Christof Kleinmann, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN LEGAL TECH: BRINGING CLIENTS, LAWYERS, AND TECHNOLOGY TOGETHER
From the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to automating repetitive tasks to building office spaces and training facilities in Metaverse, the practice of law is not what it used to be…and there is no turning back. The impacts of innovative technologies in the legal industry are being experienced everywhere. According to the LegalTech Association, 49% of law firms have implemented some form of AI/VR technology in their practice. The panel will discuss the exciting intersection of technology and the field of law, explaining how innovative tech platforms can offer more sophisticated matter management, professional development, and business development opportunities.
Moderator
Alina Gorokhovsky, SCG Legal
Panelists
Ava Moussavi, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Mark Davison, Mills & Reeve (UK)
Sander Marges, Van Benthem & Keulen (Netherlands)
Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer, Nexl

CROSS-BORDER MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS: ASSESSING THE RISKS & REWARDS
As companies look for more opportunities in new places in which to grow, cross-border mergers and acquisitions have emerged as one of the ways to gain new market and customer access. As cross-border deal activity continues, companies need to consider the risks and rewards associated with pursuing these ventures versus making greenfield investments. This session will examine the issues for which companies must prepare when engaging in cross-border deals and offer insights on how these complexities can successfully be managed.
Moderator
Vinita Mehra, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter (US: Ohio)
Panelists
Lalit Kumar, JSA Law (India)
Julio Menchaca, AGM Abogados (Spain)
Thilo Schneider, Mills & Reeve (UK)
Oliver Jankowsky, Hall & Wilcox (Australia: Melbourne)
Dr. Ritesh Rajani, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Stephen Barak Rozen, Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co. (Israel)

ARE BANKRUPTCIES/INSOLVENCIES/RESTRUCTURINGS RETURNING?
With the expected uptick in bankruptcy filings and corporate restructurings in 2023, panelists will discuss what increases in interest rates, inflation, cryptocurrency scandals, political conflicts, and asset class volatility will mean for Bankruptcy and Insolvency practices around the globe and how to best guide and support clients through these challenging times.
Moderator
Dan Lowenthal, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP (US: New York City)
Panelists
Alice van der Schee, Van Benthem & Keulen (Netherlands)
Barry Cahir, Beauchamps (Ireland)
Dr. Wolfram Desch, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
J. Thomas Beckett, Parsons Behle & Latimer (US: Utah)

FIRESIDE CHAT: WOMEN IN LAW & LEADERSHIP
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer buzz terms, they are tangible actions, programs, policies and cultural shifts. And women in the legal industry are leading the way forward to ensure sustained progress. Panelists will discuss the strategies, challenges, and rewards of advancing women in the legal community and how successfully creating a culture of inclusivity encourages talent retention, drives mentorship/sponsorship, and develops a truly dynamic workforce experience.
Moderator
Lisa Borsook, WeirFoulds LLP (Canada: Ontario)
Panelists
Stephanie Scharf, Scharf Banks Marmor (US: Chicago)
Dr. Maren Mönchmeyer, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)

CYBERSECURITY/GDPR AND DATA PRIVACY OUTLOOK AND REVIEW
There has been an increase in the number of data protection laws passed across the globe, and it is expected that government authorities will make full use of their new powers to apply and enforce their respective data protection and cybersecurity legislation in the future. This panel will discuss the past, current, and future developments related to global privacy and cybersecurity laws.
Moderator
Kathleen Porter, Robinson+Cole LLP (US: Connecticut)
Panelists
Bartosz Marcinkowski, Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka (Poland)
Dr. Axel von Walter, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Tijana Žunic Maric, Zunic Law (Serbia)
Erika Carrasco, Field Law (Canada: Alberta)
Kathleen Scott, Wiley (US: Washington, D.C.)

INSIGHTS AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF CONTEMPORARY WITNESSES OF GERMANY’S & BERLIN’S PAST
Moderator
Stephan Menzemer, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Panelists
Patrick Heid, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Felix Prozorov-Bastians, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)
Tanja Galander, GvW Graf von Westphalen (Germany)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR. THEODOR (Theo) WAIGEL
Dr. Waigel is a lawyer and politician, known—among other significant achievements—for being the longest-serving Federal Minister of Finance for the Federal Republic of Germany. During his tenure as Finance Minister, he played a pivotal role in the country’s unification efforts, including securing Russia’s agreement to allow Germany to join NATO. He was also a driving force behind the Maastricht Treaty for European political and monetary union and the Stability and Growth Pact, a set of rules designed to ensure that countries in the European Union pursue sound public finances and coordinate their fiscal policies.