<p>With the IBA conference being held in Dubai, there&rsquo;s no better time to get up  to speed with the latest legal professional developments in the Middle East and  beyond.<br />What we also know is that the IBA conference offers many other  opportunities including of course, the opportunity to form new relationships and  re-kindle old ones.<br /><br />So what does the IBA mean to you? Why do you attend  the conference year in, year out? We asked some of our good friends from around  the world including Akira Kawamura the President of the IBA.<br /><br /><strong>What  do you believe are the main benefits for lawyers attending the IBA Conference  and why do you continue to return to the conference each  year?</strong><br /><br /><strong>Akira Kawamura, President of the  IBA</strong><br /><br />I think lawyers attending the IBA&rsquo;s Annual Conference are  provided with the excellent opportunity of professional development on a number  of levels. International lawyers of all jurisdictions and specialisms attending  the event develop their professional networks, and utilise business  opportunities; hear the latest thinking of the legal profession; advance their  knowledge base and skills sets; debate with their peers; and form life-long  relationships. Some delegates have been attending the IBA Annual Conference for  more than a quarter of a century. Also, Bob Stein, an IBA elder, once said as an  officer that lawyers should use the skills of our profession to serve the public  for the betterment of society. I believe in this ethos and as President of the  IBA, I have asked my colleagues to devote their efforts to this objective. I am  very sure that we are succeeding in this through the work of the IBA and that  those attending the Annual Conference are happy to be associated with, and  involved in, the work of our organisation. I believe that delegates return year  after year because they recognise the IBA Annual Conference as the preeminent  event in the legal calendar for legal professionals across the globe. The IBA  has been the global voice of the legal profession for 64 years and the expertise  of this non-political, professional organisation is recognised and valued.</p>
<p><strong>Patrick Ang, Partner at Rajah Tann (Singapore)</strong><br /><br />I see  3 main benefits for attending the IBA conference. Firstly, the IBA conference  provides a platform for building relationships. The IBA as a community of  lawyers provides a convenient and well organised forum not just for senior  partners but also future generations of lawyers to build relationships and keep  in touch with each other. Secondly, it is an avenue for knowledge acquisition.  The IBA puts together some of the most prominent leaders in the profession. With  the interaction of different cultures, shared knowledge of best practices and  thought leadership in the law, all participants can expect to involve themselves  in the setting of new norms and standards. This is especially helpful as it  encourages personal improvement as much as it does for service delivery levels  for the profession as a whole. The topics selected for each IBA conference  reflect the most relevant and pressing issues faced by the profession. Thirdly,  the IBA builds a legacy for future generation of lawyers. The IBA espouses the  principles of integrity and ethics of the profession at every conference and  serves as a timely reminder of the importance of the role we play in society.  What better way is there for the IBA traditions to continue to be passed down to  future generations of lawyers?<br /><br /><strong>Doug Jones, Partner at Clayton Utz  (Sydney)</strong><br /><br />The IBA provides a great opportunity to share  professional knowledge and experience with practitioners from a wide range of  jurisdictions.&nbsp; The members of the IBA, in each of the specialist practice  areas, are experts in their field who are willing to share experiences across  legal cultures.<br /><br /><strong>David Rivkin, Debevoise &amp; Plimpton LLP (New  York &amp; London)</strong><br /><br />The IBA offers the best programming of any  bar organization anywhere in the world.&nbsp; The substantive programs presented at  the annual conference are a superb way to hear from the best lawyers in a  lawyer&rsquo;s field of practice and to learn the most innovative techniques and  up-to-date information.&nbsp; Because more than 50 committees present programs, the  annual conference also offers the chance to learn about many different  substantive areas.&nbsp; And in addition to these excellent learning opportunities,  the conference offers the chance to meet the best lawyers from around the  world:&nbsp; more than 4000 lawyers from more than 100 different jurisdictions.&nbsp;The  lawyers whom I have met at the IBA have become professional colleagues with whom  I have worked on cases and also good friends.<br /><br /><strong>George Savvides,  Managing Partner at George L. Savvides &amp; Co LLC  (Nicosia)</strong><br /><br />The annual IBA conference is a unique opportunity for  international lawyers to broaden their professional knowledge through attending  high class specialized sessions. At the same time it provides an excellent  opportunity for networking with lawyers with similar interests from all over the  world, something which I have found over the years to be a very helpful  marketing tool.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>What would be your top three tips for first time delegates attending  the IBA to ensure their experience is valuable both from a professional and  personal development perspective?</strong><br /><br /><strong>Akira Kawamura,  President of the IBA</strong><br /><br />My first tip would be to strongly encourage  first-time delegates of the IBA annual conference to attend the opening ceremony  and the welcome party. These are both extremely attractive and splendid events.  This year the distinguished Nobel Peace Prize laureate and international lawyer,  Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, will provide the opening address &ndash; and should not be  missed! While the Welcome Party provides a wonderfully relaxed environment for  delegates to mingle, eat, and drink. A stunning firework display ends the  evening&rsquo;s activities. These events are planned with the utmost care over a long  period of time to ensure that all delegates feel a sense of belonging to a truly  international organisation. Great care is taken to reflect the culture of the  venue of the Conference. This is much appreciated by delegates who attend in  significantly large numbers. <br /><br />Secondly, I would advise first-time  delegates to bring a high number of business cards to exchange with other  delegates throughout the week. In addition to the plethora of working sessions  there is also a wide selection of social gatherings, some arranged by the IBA,  others by law firms, or trade delegations. Business cards are essential. In  addition, first-time delegates should bring copies of their firm&rsquo;s brochure  which would be a good promotional tool for introducing and impressing  individuals they meet. My third tip would be to recommend first-time delegates  to attend as many sessions of their interests as possible. With more than 200  working sessions covering a vast array of topics including competition law,  construction law, arbitration, oil and gas law, and banking law to name a few, I  think the IBA annual conference provides an unparalleled experience.  <br /><br />Furthermore, I would encourage new delegates to talk with the committee  officers responsible for coordinating the sessions. IBA Officers are always  approachable and welcoming. By engaging with the officers and getting involved  in the work of an IBA committee, you position yourself as a possible future  panellist, or perhaps even a committee officer &ndash; this is hard work but  thoroughly enriching, professionally and personally. I would also add enjoy  yourself; work hard and play hard!<br /><br /><strong>Patrick Ang, Partner at Rajah  Tann (Singapore)</strong><br /><br />Firstly, remember that there is much you can  learn from experience and secondly, that the profession is as personable as we  lawyers make it to be. Lastly, take time to appreciate the offerings at IBA  which extend beyond your traditional practice areas.<br /><br /><strong>Doug Jones,  Partner at Clayton Utz (Sydney)</strong><br /><br />Make sure that you attend the  working sessions of a limited number of committees.&nbsp;This will give you a  thorough working knowledge of the areas of specialty and the contributions that  these committees can provide. Take full advantage of the social networking  opportunities that the functions associated with the IBA provide and make  yourself known to the officers of the committee or Committees in which you are  most interested in your area of specialty and seek to become involved in the  work of those Committees.<br /><br /><strong>David Rivkin, Debevoise &amp; Plimpton  LLP (New York &amp; London)<br /></strong><br />First, scan the program to find the  sessions that are of the greatest relevance to your practice, and plan which  ones you will attend during the week.&nbsp; Also be sure to attend one or more of the  showcase programs that present issues of great importance.&nbsp; Second, introduce  yourself to officers of any committee in which you have an interest and learn  from them how you can assist the committee and become active.&nbsp; Third, attend the  regional lunch and other interest group gatherings that would be most valuable  to you.<br /><br /><strong>George Savvides, Managing Partner at George L. Savvides  &amp; Co LLC (Nicosia)<br /></strong><br />Firstly, attend as many relevant sessions  within your fields of specialization or interest and make the most of social  functions: both those organized by the various committees as well as those  organized by other firms. Make sure you go through the list of participants and  try to contact those with whom you feel that there is an opportunity or  potential of networking and bring many business cards as you can with  you!<br /><br /><strong>The IBA is a great networking opportunity.&nbsp; How do you make  the most of the networking opportunities  available?</strong><br /><br /><strong>Akira Kawamura, President of the  IBA<br /></strong><br />Yes, the IBA annual conference provides supreme  international networking opportunities. Typically, delegates use the working  sessions, coffee breaks, lunches and social events to converse with like-minded  attendees and exchange contact details. Once again, the importance of having a  sufficient supply of business cards cannot be over emphasised; when the world&rsquo;s  eminent specialist lawyers are gathered, you do not want to be caught short. In  this time of increased cross-border transactions it is essential to have a  strong international network of professional contacts. With delegates from more  than 120 jurisdictions including international lawyers both private and  in-house, government officials, business executives, bankers, and economists set  to attend the IBA Annual Conference conversations held allow delegates to  establish business relationships with trustworthy professionals in foreign  jurisdictions.<br /><br /><strong>Patrick Ang, Partner at Rajah Tann  (Singapore)<br /><br /></strong>Cocktails and dinners are always a great way to  unwind and meet new people. It is also helpful to venture out of our practice  areas to meet lawyers who do different areas of work and gain fresh insights  from them. Think of it less as &ldquo;net-working&rdquo; and more as  &ldquo;net-enjoyment&rdquo;!<br /><br /><strong>Doug Jones, Partner at Clayton Utz  (Sydney)<br /><br /></strong>The networking opportunities of the IBA conference are  both social and professional.&nbsp; In order to take maximum advantage of the  professional networking, research the committees closest to your area of  specialty and get to know the officers of those committees thus enabling you to  choose your best networking opportunities from a professional point of view.&nbsp;  From a social perspective both the committees, committee functions and the law  firm functions associated with the IBA are ideal opportunities to meet  professionals from all over the world.&nbsp; Take maximum advantage of these social  activities.<br /><br /><strong>David Rivkin, Debevoise &amp; Plimpton LLP (New York  &amp; London)<br /></strong><br />By attending many of the sessions of the  committees that fit your practice, you can meet many other lawyers with similar  practices and interests.&nbsp; They often need referrals in your home country.&nbsp;  Similarly, attending the regional lunch for your area is a great way to meet  people.&nbsp; At the evening social events, ask many questions of whomever you meet.&nbsp;  And of course, carry a lot of business cards!<br /><br /><strong>George Savvides,  Managing Partner at George L. Savvides &amp; Co LLC  (Nicosia)<br /></strong><br />Further to my previous response, it&rsquo;s important to  follow up with any contacts you have made at the conference. Also aim to get  involved with committees that interest you and actively participate as speaker,  moderator or committee officer. The more IBA conferences you attend and get  involved in, the greater the benefits.<br /><br /><strong>This is the first time the  conference has been held in the Middle East.&nbsp; How do you plan to make the most  of your time in Dubai?</strong><br /><br /><strong>Akira Kawamura, President of the  IBA<br /></strong><br />We are all so very excited about the 2011 IBA Annual  Conference being held in the Middle East. Hosting the event in Dubai is the  culmination of years of work and planning. We are hopeful that it will be our  most successful conference to date. Delegate registration figures indicate that  we are on track to fulfil this ambition. Although I am very much looking forward  to attending a great number of the conference&rsquo;s plenary and working sessions, I  am also hopeful, though I do not know how realistic I am being, to see some of  the many wonderful sites and places of interest and excitement unique to Dubai.  I would like to visit the tallest man-made structure ever built, the Burj  Khalifa; visit the Old Bastakiya District and the Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi  Fort; watch some camel racing; and spend a few days on some of Dubai&rsquo;s beautiful  beaches. Unfortunately, my schedule may not be able to accommodate these  activities. However, through some of the social events, such as the IBA welcome  and closing parties, I am looking forward to experiencing some of the marvels of  Dubai.<br /><br /><strong>Patrick Ang, Partner at Rajah Tann  (Singapore)</strong><br /><br />First and foremost, I am really looking forward to  visiting my friends at Al Tamimi. We had wonderful exchanges back in June this  year when we jointly organised a &lsquo;Doing Business in the Middle East&rsquo; seminar in  Singapore. I also hope to set aside some time to enjoy the sights of the dunes  and other attractions particular to the unique Arabian  culture.<br /><br /><strong>Doug Jones, Partner at Clayton Utz  (Sydney)</strong><br /><br />I plan to attend as many of the professional and social  activities of the IBA as possible and also hope to take advantage of the visit  to Dubai to understand both the legal and social culture of the United Arab  Emirates.<br /><br /><strong>David Rivkin, Debevoise &amp; Plimpton LLP (New York  &amp; London)<br /></strong><br />This is a time of extraordinary change in the  Middle East, and I am delighted that the IBA is in the region this year.&nbsp; I hope  that I will have the chance to meet many lawyers from the region who will be  attending the conference.&nbsp;I look forward to hearing their perspectives on  current events and on the future of the region.<br /><br /><strong>George Savvides,  Managing Partner at George L. Savvides &amp; Co LLC  (Nicosia)<br /></strong><br />Attending the conference and the social functions  associated with it is a full time job. However I plan to stay for an extra day  to take to see Dubai and some of the numerous attractions that it has to  offer.<br /><br />For more information on the conference or the IBA membership,  please visit: <a href="http://www.ibanet.org/">www.ibanet.org</a></p>