The Internationalization of the Practice of Law

ISBN-13: 9789041116208 / Angielski / Twarda / 2001 / 544 str.

Jens Drolshammer

Opis

This volume brings together the results of an international research project co-ordinated by Jens Drolshammer and Michael Pfeifer. The editors, both of whom are attorneys and permanent adjunct professors at law schools, invited a number of representatives of the legal profession and some experienced law professors to share their views on the ongoing internationalization of the legal profession and what it means for the education and practice of law in the 21st century. The contributions cover the topic from many different angles: managing an international law firm; different approaches in Europe and the USA; collaboration and strategic alliances between firms from different countries and legal systems; the legal profession in Japan and China; developments in international arbitration and mediation; the perspective of in-house legal counsel; the perspective of management and consultants; multidisciplinary practice; repercussions on education in law schools and in continuing education programmes; the benefit of having a diverse group of attorneys in a firm and the problems this may entail; and, of course, the impact of electronic media on the profession. The internationalization of the legal profession raises many questions: The changes we experience or foresee, are they for the better? Are they for the benefit of the clients and their business? Or for the benefit of the lawyers? Or of society, the law, the international community as a whole? Are they inevitable? And what may need to be done in order to secure a fair distribution of the benefits and a safe check against the perils? The essays in this book will not provide all the answers but they are sure to stimulate a debate and a more critical and proactive approach to a process that needs to be managed and not just endured.