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The end of the year is approaching, and this is usually a time for summarizing and celebrating. Therefore, we have prepared a small summary of the events and changes in IAG that happened and accompanied us this year.

We hope that the moments of emotion and memories of the past year will also be with you in the coming New Year, which promises to be exceptionally exciting.

Over the past months, the Board has been taking a number of steps to further develop the organisation and strengthen it. However, the sole aim of the actions taken has been to build an organisation that responds to the needs of its members. An organisation that brings together not only business partners, but also friends. We sincerely believe that we are achieving this goal, mainly thanks to you.

On behalf of the IAG Board and the Executive Office, we thank you, our members, for being with us and hope that you will continue to grow and develop our organisation with us.

Tomasz Szarek
Chairman

IAG Global was delighted to welcome two new members during the Los Angeles Assembly in October 2024.

Stelios Ieronymides and Associates LLC is a law firm based in Nicosia, Cyprus. You can find the firm’s profile here

Vertical Advogados is a law firm based in Lisboa, Portugal and here is the link to their profile

We are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with both firms.

Photo – Members of the IAG Board with representatives from Vertical Advogados and Stelios Ieronymides & Associates at the Los Angeles Assembly in October 2024

IAG Chair Tomasz Szarek and fellow IAG member Stuart Haynes of UK-member firm Aaron & Partners, represented IAG at the Prague Morison Global conference.

It was a great chance to strengthen the relations between IAG and Morison Global. It was also a chance to again meet Morison Global Chairman Paul Wan after him joining the IAG Global Singapore Assembly in October 2023.

On a sunny day in mid-March, Spanish IAG Member Lozano Schindhelm welcomed nearly 90 delegates to Madrid for the first IAG Global Assembly of 2024.

Delegates and guests travelled from all parts of the world, from Australia to the West Coast of America, making Madrid the largest Assembly since pre-covid times.

Lozano Schindhelm’s Managing Partner Fernando Lozano and his team welcomed everyone to Madrid at a Drinks Reception held on the Rooftop Bar of Casa Suecia, which held fantastic views of the city in the setting sun.

During the two day event, delegates attended the Business Session while their guests visited the Prado Museum before meeting up for a delicious traditional Spanish tapas lunch.

The highlight for everyone was the Gala Dinner which was hosted in the unique 90 year old Casino de Madrid. With its incredible architecture and stunning staircases it was the perfect location for the black tie event.

IAG Global Chairman Tomasz Szarek said: “What makes IAG unique is the relationships that are built between members at events like this. To see so many of our members gather from all over the world shows how much they value the opportunity to network and work each other.

“It was a truly memorable event and I am very grateful to Fernando and his team for giving us all such a warm welcome and wonderful time in Madrid.”

Fernando Lozano added, “IAG is all about people. It was a real pleasure to welcome such a fantastic (and numerous!) group of people to Madrid.”

The large number of delegates included a really good number of observers, which reflects the positive pipeline of firms interested in joining the organisation.

Meeting three times a year, IAG Global Assemblies allow members to get together to create new relationships, build on relationships and catch up with old friends. Close personal relationships, trusts and friendships between members are what makes IAG unique.

The IAG Board and Executive Office are now looking forward to the General Assembly being hosted in Hamburg, Germany, in June with hosts SNB Law.

For more information on how to become a member of IAG Global please go to the Contact Us page

Pacific Islands member Pacific Legal Network has strengthened it’s presence with a new affiliation in the Kingdom of Tonga.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tevita Aho and R&S into the Pacific Legal Network family,” said John Ridgway, Head of Legal Services at PLN. “Tevita’s deep roots in Tonga and his commitment to excellence align perfectly with our network’s values. This affiliation allows us to further expand our footprint and offer enhanced legal services to our clients in the Pacific.”

Read the full story on the PLN website HERE

IAG was delighted to welcome new member SKT Law during the Singapore Assembly in October 2023.

Eliot Krieger, Partner at SKT Law, joined his third assembly and was unanimously voted in by members during the Business Session.

SKT Law are lawyers based in California, USA and Vietnam.

You can view their profile here

IAG Global has created a report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) covering regulations and legislations in jurisdictions around the world.

AI has emerged as a force with the potential to revolutionise various sectors, including industry and science. However it raises complex legal and ethical international questions, and this report aims to provide a global perspective on AI regulations and the legal situation in different countries.

This comprehensive guide asks the questions:
• Is it possible to regulate AI?
• Who owns the right to works created by AI?
• Is AI the end of human skills?
• Legal AI – a threat or an opportunity for legal business?

The answers cover the global situation as discussed by IAG Global members, from America to Australia including Brazil, UK, Europe, China, India and Singapore.

The IAG AI Report is available to everyone, and will be helpful to any legal professionals and IT entrepreneurs, as well as anyone interested in trying to navigate the complex world of AI in our interconnected global society.

To access the AI Report please click here

IAG member firms Hawksford and Gateway Law Corporation welcomed delegates from around the world to the IAG Global Assembly in Singapore in October.

Delegates stayed in the iconic The Fullerton Hotel and enjoyed their first evening at The Lantern rooftop bar of The Fullerton Bay Hotel.

The AI-themed Business Session was lively and engaging, which was followed by a dining experience at Jumbo Seafood, famous for their chilli crab.

Saturday included a trip to the stunning Botanic Gardens with a walk around the Orchid Gardens and other beautiful areas before the Saturday night black tie Gala Dinner in The Straits Room of The Fullerton Hotel.

During the 3-day assembly was also a “Next Generation” drinks event which is aimed at associates and junior members who are starting their journey with IAG. The informal setting provides the perfect atmosphere to create great connections and new friends.

See our highlights here

IAG is an international network of independent law firms, accountants, tax advisers and other professional services firms. Our membership extends a firms’ reach and capabilities across borders by establishing and facilitating strong business relationships.

Close professional relationships, trust and friendships between members are what makes IAG unique.

To find out more about who we are, click here Who We Are or fill in our Contact Us form

Australian lawyer Damian Kelly, who works for member firm Pacific Legal Network, shares his experience of being part of the IAG Global Exchange Programme when he spent two weeks in the Polish town of Wroclaw working with member firm SDZLEGAL Schindhelm.

You can read the full story about Damian’s experience here

Photo: Damian Kelly with fellow exchange participant Aleksandra Pludowska from SDZLEGAL, and PLN’s Managing Principal John Ridgway

Building on the success of the acquisition of Rose Carson LLP in 2021, Jewell Stewart & Pratt (JSP) has now acquired another San Francisco Bay Area business immigration practice: E&M Mayock (EM), whose Managing Partner James Mayock, two associate attorneys, and 3 paralegals will be joining JSP along with their clients in July 2023. The highly-regarded EM team will bring a wealth of experience to JSP including an investor visa practice.

For more info, please see JSP’s website announcement: https://www.jspvisa.com/blog/2023/6/28/jewell-stewart-amp-pratt-pc-welcomes-the-lawyers-staff-and-clients-of-eampm-mayock. For background on EM including profiles of attorneys James Mayock, Julienne Maribao, and Melanie Ong, see: https://emvisa.com/.

JSP welcomes inquiries from IAG members and clients on U.S. immigration, citizenship, and visa matters via [email protected].