2 USA Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 3 INTRODUCTION AWARDS 2022 Welcome to the 2022 edition of the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards. The Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards are an annual review of the barristers, in-house counsel and private practitioners whose expertise and diligence have allowed them to stand out among their peers. With a close eye on the latest developments in the legal sphere, the team at Lawyer Monthly are well placed to identify those lawyers who have begun to make waves and give them the recognition they are due. Each award recipient is a leader in their field with an accompanying history of achievements. The 2022 edition is our biggest set of awards yet, with winners drawn from all regions and all walks of life. Every sector of law is represented in this celebration of the best and brightest innovators working in the profession today. Among this year’s highest-profile winners is Ece Dayıoğlu, a lawyer upholding a family legacy of excellence and Armstrong Teasdale partners Zane Shihab and Peter Kohl, who discuss their career trajectory and the shape of sports law heading into the new year. Also featured is Anthony Munday, an acclaimed mediator with a unique dispute resolution methodology. Exclusive interviews with each of these winners (and many, many more besides) can be found in the pages of this new edition. We at Lawyer Monthly are proud to present this special publication. Congratulations to all of our winners.
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Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 5 USA FEATURED WINNERS Armstrong Teasdale Sports Law Law Firm of the Year Corporate Law Law Firm of the Year 12 Gerald E. Rosen JAMS Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year 18 Londi Gramelis First Choice Family Lawyers Family Law Lawyer of the Year 22 Fabien Bénédicte Suant CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co Taxation Lawyer of the Year 28
6 USA Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 TURKEY/TÜRKIYE About Ece Dayıoğlu Ece Dayıoğlu is a partner at Dayıoğlu Law Firm®, a full service law firm established more than a century ago with co-partner law firms in more than 50 countries across Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Dayıoğlu Law Firm® is at the disposal of its clients to find expeditious and effective solutions in cross-border litigation while rendering haute couture turnkey services. Dayıoğlu Law Firm® is comprised of three partners: Cemal Sedat Dayıoğlu (Managing Partner), Oya Dayıoğlu (Senior Partner) and Ece Dayıoğlu (Partner). Together with their experienced and qualified team members, the firm provides legal services as party counsels, arbitrators, mediators, corporate counsels and lawyers. As a prominent international law firm with more than 100 years of experience, Dayıoğlu Law Firm® has a command over numerous fields of law including but not limited to arbitration, mediation, aviation, construction, natural resources, energy and environment, banking and finance, commercial, corporate, competition, tourism, criminal, family, inheritance, intellectual property, real estate and tax law. Apart from its corporate and individual litigation and legal counselling services, Dayıoğlu Law Firm® has been involved in project-based cases, international operations, transactions and contracts. Dayıoğlu Law Firm® abides by the rules of attorneyclient confidentiality, legal practice, legal ethics and conflicts of interest while offering efficient and custom-tailored legal solutions to its clients and to those benefiting from its services. The firm provides its clients with direct contact with its team and prompt responses in relation with their legal problems in the course of its practice. The firm’s commitment to its clients finds expression in principled practice in compliance with its values, as well as in the legal solutions most appropriate to the situation at hand.
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 7 USA 7 TURKEY/TÜRKIYE Ece Partner - Dayıoğlu Law Firm® Dayıoğlu Can you share a little about your journey into law? I was born into a family full of lawyers. Speaking literally, I am the seventh generation lawyer of my family. The family history goes back to the times of Ottoman Empire when my great-grandfather was a qadi under sharia. Following the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923, the next generations became lawyers under civil law. I followed the footsteps of my ancestors, and now I am partnered with my father Cemal Sedat Dayıoğlu and my mother Oya Dayıoğlu at Dayıoğlu Law Firm®, for which we continue the tradition of attorneyship of our families. Since my childhood, being the only child of two eminent lawyers, I took an interest in the conversations between them, which were mainly on legal issues. Day by day it became more unbearable not to be part of this fascinating knowledge and experience. I therefore decided to become a lawyer myself, and I have never regretted my decision. From the beginning I felt lucky to take on the family heritage, to represent my family and to honour my family legacy in the best way I can. However, I always felt as if I was responsible for the ‘now’ and the ‘future’ of my family legacy. Everything was settled by my father: the experience, the knowledge, the team, the reputation, the office and the clients... in the end I understood that this left me even more room for broadening the horizon of Dayıoğlu Law Firm®, a role I have gladly taken on. I am the first in my family to be admitted to a foreign bar and to liaise our law firm with so many co-partner law firms across the world. INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION LAWYER OF THE YEAR Can you tell us about the highlights or standout achievements of your career to date? My greatest achievement is that I made my father – my mentor, my doyen – cry when I was admitted to the Paris Bar. But let me start from the beginning. I graduated from Galatasaray University Faculty of Law. It is top-tier law faculty in Türkiye which accepts students from among the 200 who were most successful during the National Exam for Admission to University. I did my master’s degree in Arbitration and International Commercial Law (Arbitrage et Droit du Commerce International) at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. I have another master’s degree (with merit) in International Dispute Resolution and Economic Law from Queen Mary University of London. I graduated with a thesis on ‘The Enforceability of Arbitral Awards in International Arbitration Involving States and State-Owned Entities: How to Be Ensured by the Arbitral Tribunal and to Be Resisted by the Sovereigns?’ Following this, I graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University with a master’s degree in Economics Law with the project ‘Anti-Dilution Protection Arising as a Result of a Malicious Increase of Capital in Joint-Stock Companies’. I also submitted my application for a scholarship for academic success, which did not exist between Türkiye and France. However, through the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French Minsitry of Foreign Affairs created a scholarship (without reimbursement) which did not exist only for me.
8 TURKEY/ TÜRKIYE Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 I was selected to intern at the International Court of Arbitration Secretariat of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). I also worked as an intern in the Middle East and North Africa-MENA Case Management Team and Special Counsel in the Secretariat of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. This was a position granted to only four interns per year selected among over 8.000 applicants. I am a lawyer admitted to both the Istanbul (Türkiye) and the Paris (France) Bars. When I was first admitted to the Paris Bar in 2017, I checked myself on the Paris Bar directory and found that I was one of only three lawyers who were simultaneously qualified at the Istanbul and the Paris Bars and also practised in Türkiye. And I realised the other two were educated in France. So I was one of a kind! I am also an internationally listed arbitrator and mediator. One of them is at the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb). I successfully passed the Fellowship Assessment. However, due to the age criteria, my upgrade from Member to Fellow could not be done until SIArb annulled this condition, enabling me to upgrade my rank. In addition, I started a new position as Vice Secretary General at the Energy Disputes Arbitration Center (EDAC), the first and foremost sector-based arbitral institution focusing on energy disputes with its own rules. I was on the team that organised Istanbul Arbitration Week (ISTAW) 2022. It was the second edition of the first arbitration week (TAW 2021) in Türkiye. Now at the age of 31, what I see in a nutshell is this: I hold three LLM degrees, I am a dual-qualified international lawyer in Türkiye and in France. I work on an international basis and as a partner at Dayıoğlu Law Firm®, operating in more than fifty countries through its co-partner law firms across the world. I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in the UK, a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb) in Singapore, a listed arbitrator in the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC) in China, the Russian Arbitration Centre (RAC) in Russia, the Istanbul Arbitration Association (ISTA) in Türkiye and the Bali International Arbitration and Mediation Center (BIAMC) in Indonesia. I am a listed mediator at the International Mediation Institute in (IMI) the Netherlands, the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) in Singapore and the Bali International Arbitration and Mediation Center (BIAMC) in Indonesia. I am a former intern of the ICC and current Vice Secretary General of EDAC. And I have just begun. What was it that drew you to work in arbitration and dispute resolution? What excited me the most in arbitration is that parties to a dispute can choose its judge (arbitrator), its rules (substantive law), its court (seat of arbitration) and its procedure (procedural law). It is a fully customised way of resolving disputes where the procedural control is mainly on the parties. It is destined to be expeditious and cost-effective. The expertise in the field plays an important role on the
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10 TURKEY/ TÜRKIYE arbitrator’s end. Anyone with sufficient experience can act as arbitrator. To be entrusted with such responsibility and to be vested with such authority always intrigued me. Needless to say, the arbitral award duly rendered has the same binding effect and the enforceability with a domestic court decision. I call arbitration ‘the new normal’, or dare I say, ‘contemporary way of adjudication’. What are you most excited to be working on at the moment? There are couple of things. I contributed to an book on arbitration and it is on its way. I just came from Kigali (Rwanda) where I was invited to speak and I gave a speech on energy investment dipsutes during the OHADA Annual Conference hosted by FIPROD-ERSUMA. My next destination will hopefully be in Lome (Togo) where I am also invited to share my experience and knowledge in arbitration. I am currently working on an energy arbitration article to be published in an exquisite arbitration magazine. My posts will soon be published on the Kluwer Arbitration Blog. Also, I will be passing the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Fellowship Assessment to become an FCIArb. The arbitration cases where I act as party counsel at the moment thrill me, as I am experiencing new aspects and concepts each and every day. What figures in the legal sector would you count as your greatest inspirations? All these years, my father Cemal Sedat Dayıoğlu has been my mentor in every sense. Once I became a lawyer I started to look up to him even more, as he is a pure doyen in our profession. I would also like to mention my grandfathers. Both of them were lawyers. My grandfather from my father’s “All these years, my father Cemal Sedat Dayıoğlu has been my mentor in every sense.” Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 11 TURKEY/ TÜRKIYE side passed away last year due to cancer. Until two days before he passed away, he worked from the hospital bed. My grandfather told me that I was the future of Dayıoğlu Family and of Dayıoğlu Legacy, that no matter what I should carry on with my professional life. A wish that I’ll honour and carry out for the rest of my life. Again, this showed me where I was coming from. This is in my genes. This is in my family. And I am proud of all of them. I am a proud daughter of her parents and of her grandfathers but mostly a proud and a very lucky mentee of her father. Is there a particular philosophy or set of values that informs your legal work? The values depend on the person. Be it for my legal practice or my private life, my unshakeable values are as follows: 1. Do not let anything unfinished go until the end, even if it seems to be unknown, fight for your ‘cause’ until the very end. Remember that you are responsible for the journey (legal fight), not necessarily for the destination (outcome). 2. Remember that if you step in the boxing ring you get punched. And that is where we are fighting. Do not let anything stop you. 3. Do not make promises you cannot deliver. Be clear about the expectations. Manage them. 4. Make humanity your main concern. Walk in the shoes of others. Do not judge; understand. This is a more compassionate way of lawyering. 5. Follow your ambitions and combine them with your effort, because those are the things that get you somewhere. 6. Take charge. Do not blame the circumstances. 7. Do not forget or underestimate the power of networking, as you should not go all the way without support. Admit the role of a student and be open to new experiences and knowledge. 8. Make room for your loved ones. Set your priorities wisely and juggle. Family life matters. 9. You cannot win all battles in all fields. Accept defeat with integrity. Take the hit and move on. As long as you learn from the experience, there is nothing louder than that. 10. Do not trade your integrity with anything. Nothing can be as silent as a clean consiousness. Is there one thing that you feel you could not live without? Honour and integrity. But honestly, I want to ask: what is the point of feeling that we cannot live if something is denied to us or we are deprived of something? We are all survivors. We were born alone and we will eventually die alone. I personally do not believe in this concept. Even though I may strongly suffer, I can live without anything if I have no choice. Desperation is a powerful state of being. But this does not mean that I do not have any fear of losing people or things. I have strong attachments. However, I am lucky to have so much to lose in this life – and I will keep it this way. How do you measure your success? For me, a successful person is someone who manages their environment, be it with work, family or friends, especially when faced with challenges and chaos. It is a combination of wisdom, determination, constant effort and a certain level of capability. It is how this person relates with obstacles and surmounts them. And this should be ascertained differently for every person, taking into account their background and the circumstances. Maître Ece Dayıoğlu, LLM, Master II, LLM Dayıoğlu Law Firm®, Perihan Sokak No: 4, Şişli, Istanbul, Türkiye Tel: +90 212 230 30 32 | Mobile: +90 533 371 19 19 Info: info@dayioglulawfirm.com | Email: ece@dayioglulawfirm.com www.dayioglulawfirm.com Contact
Zane Shihab I am a partner and head of UK Sport at Armstrong Teasdale. We act for a large number of major events including Wimbledon tennis, London Marathon, RideLondon and UEFA. Our experienced team is at the forefront of the development of sports law and has led ground-breaking work involving complex litigation on issues such as competition and ticketing, in addition to all aspects of sport, intellectual property and commercial law. Partner Peter Kohl I head our corporate practice in London and am dual-qualified (UK/US), having worked for US law firms in London for most of my career. Our core practice is middlemarket mergers and acquisitions, acting for buyers, sellers and management teams. We have a robust team of lawyers in London who practice primarily on M&A matters, and we regularly work closely across business practices such as with Zane and the sports team, and our capital markets and restructuring teams. Our London corporate group also works closely with our US colleagues. We closed a major UK acquisition this year for one of our firm’s oldest US clients, and we are acting for several US clients in their investments into the UK and Europe, and vice versa. We are well positioned for cross-border transactions. Partner 12 UNITED KINGDOM Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 SPORTS LAW & CORPORATE LAW LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR How have you each seen Armstrong Teasdale develop since arriving at the firm? PETER: The Armstrong Teasdale/Kerman & Co combination in 2021 was a major move by both legacy firms. In the US, the combination was the firm’s first move to Europe (London and Dublin). For us in London, this has been a huge boost, as we now are part of a major US firm. We can now help our European clients with all their US legal issues, which has greatly enhanced what we can offer. ZANE: In addition to the UK/US combination to which Peter refers, the London office has steadily grown since I joined in 2012 and it is a huge advantage to be able to offer clients the full array of legal services to assist them in all key areas of law, from commercial to corporate, employment to litigation. By the same token, how have your own practices and skills developed during this period? PETER: As I originally trained and practiced as a US lawyer, our integration into Armstrong Teasdale has been a perfect fit for me. More broadly, our London team is spending a lot of time helping our US clients in navigating transactions in the UK – there are both technical and market differences where we can help to smooth negotiations toward completion. ZANE: We are best known for assisting our clients on all aspects of their event management and delivery programme including sponsorship, ticketing, supplier and security contracts, procurement, venue agreements, data protection, corporate governance and brand protection. However, in recent years we have significantly grown our technology practice, advising on contracts for tech services, including managed or outsourced services and SaaS and, most recently, non-fungible token (NFT) deals for events, governing bodies and football clubs. The fact that we have an exceptional team of intellectual property lawyers dealing with patent, design rights and trade mark issues hugely assists in the tech area. What was it that initially led you to specialise in your respective fields of sports and corporate law? PETER: When I left law school in the US, I had intended to be a litigator. On my first day of work as a qualified lawyer, the senior partner of the firm called me in to ’ask’ me to join the firm’s corporate group due to a significant need for help there. From the start, I loved working with businesspeople and I have not regretted it since. ZANE: I have always been passionate about sport. It quickly dawned on me when studying a dual honours law and biology degree at Keele University that this may afford me an Zane Shihab - Partner & Head of UK Sport Peter Kohl - Partner & Head of UK Corporate 13 UNITED KINGDOM
opportunity to enter the then-emerging field of ‘sports law’. After sending a huge number of applications to sports, media and entertainment firms, I eventually obtained a training contract with a niche sports law firm under the tutelage of one of the top sports lawyers in the country, Nick Bitel (with whom I still work today at Armstrong Teasdale). What significant challenges have you overcome to get where you are today? PETER: The biggest challenges have probably come from macroevents outside anyone’s control. My career has spanned a number of recessions and financial crises. Each one has created ruptures in our clients’ businesses and, consequently, a need to shift gears as a lawyer to develop new skills – from helping growth investors one year to advising failing companies the next. Luckily, corporate lawyers generally are trained to handle a broad range of matters, so it is easier for us to be quick on our feet. ZANE: Whilst any challenges I have faced pale in significance when compared to the difficulties faced by others, it was quite demoralising when I was unable to get my foot in the door of sports law firms when looking for a training contract. Armstrong Teasdale UK Sport Team, led by Zane Shihab “Most of our sports clients are long-standing clients with whom we have enjoyed a working relationship for many, many years.” 14 UNITED KINGDOM Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 Perseverance, commitment and some (not inconsiderable) luck eventually allowed me the opportunity to begin my career in this area. What drives you to achieve the best possible results for your clients? PETER: I think that you need a certain amount of drive to get up for work each day, in whatever you do. For corporate deals, adrenaline also usually kicks in at certain times – such as at the beginning of negotiations and at the end of a transaction, when you are most aligned with your client and your client’s success starts to feel as your own. ZANE: Professional pride and that feeling of satisfaction when you get a deal across the line, usually in very tight timeframes. Of your many professional achievements to date, which are you proudest of having accomplished? PETER: Maintaining close-knit and longstanding client relationships. We have several clients we have worked with for decades. I am also glad to have maintained friendships with many former colleagues and clients, despite changes in our businesses and professional lives. ZANE: To echo Peter’s words, most of our sports clients are long-standing clients with whom we have enjoyed a working relationship for many, many years. This is something to be proud of and we certainly do not take this for granted. The long-term nature of the associations has provided us with a unique ability to fully understand every aspect of their organisation and to not only advise from a legal perspective, but also support strategically. Is there a particular creed or philosophy that motivates your work? PETER: Not really, but respect and humility help along the way. ZANE: As a failed footballer, to be involved in sport in any capacity is hugely motivating! What does this award mean to you? PETER: The corporate team consistently provides strong support and strategic advice to our clients and the award recognises this. As the old football coach said, it’s all about the team. ZANE: It has been a strange few years, what with assisting our clients to navigate unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – this award is fantastic recognition for the hard work undertaken by the team. 15 UNITED KINGDOM
What do you see on the horizon for corporate and sports law in 2023 and beyond? PETER: The world economy is entering choppy waters, but there should be a lot of opportunities for those with available funds, both companies and investors. Due to the current political landscape in the UK and the US, I do not anticipate much significant development on the regulatory front affecting our clients. Instead, the focus will be on business fundamentals (supply, demand and pricing). ZANE: From a competition law perspective, it will be fascinating to discover the outcome of the legal arguments concerning the controversial European Super League, which will have wider implications in relation to the European Sports Model and sports governance more generally. In December 2022, the non-binding opinion of the Advocate General of the CJEU found in favour of UEFA and FIFA and we wait to see whether the CJEU’s final judgment aligns with the opinion. The court case is due in early 2023. Can you tell us more about Armstrong Teasdale’s plans for development in the coming year? PETER: The firm has grown significantly in the past few years, which will continue – both in expanding our geographic reach and sector expertise. While increasing the bottom line during a time of growth is tricky, we are fortunate that our firm has done this very well so far. ZANE: It will be a balance between consolidation and strategic growth, building on the firm’s existing strengths. Do you have any personal advice for less experienced legal professionals looking to emulate your success in your respective sectors of law? PETER: Make time for personal interests, friends and family. Although law firm practice may seem all-consuming at times, it does not have to be. You do need to make an effort, though, to maintain a life outside the office, and you will not regret it. ZANE: I would advise that aspiring lawyers looking for an inroad into sports law should focus on work experience that will be beneficial to the sports sector (such as commercial, regulatory, litigation, etc.). Media firms have a lot of crossover with sports firms so that is also an option. I would also suggest that they contribute to online blogs and draft articles which are sports law-centric whilst using social media to discuss the latest issues. Consider becoming a student member of the various sports law organisations and attend some of their meetings (most of the top sports lawyers attend these events). Lastly, you may like to consider a Masters, Diploma or PGC in Sports Law. All the above is time consuming (and may come with some expense), but they all illustrate to prospective employers a certain level of commitment. CORPORATE • Antitrust and Trade Practices • Commercial Contracts • Debt Finance • Emerging Companies • Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation • Environmental • Financial Services and Banking • Governance and Compliance • Health Care and Life Sciences • International • Mergers and Acquisitions • Mining and Minerals • Oil and Gas • Private Equity and Venture Capital • Securities and Corporate Finance • Tax • Technology • Technology Transactions • Trusts and Estates SPORT • Agent-Related Issues • Ambush Marketing • Anti-counterfeiting • Anti-doping • Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and E-sports • Business Entity Formation • Commercial Advice • Competition Compliance • Endorsement Deals and Cause Marketing • Event Establishment, Structuring and Funding • Franchising and Distribution • Media • Naming Rights for Stadiums and Sports Entertainment Facilities • Ownership Rights • Product Claims and Packaging/Labelling • Regulatory Compliance and Interpretation • Sponsorship Agreements • Sports Governance • Talent Representation and Management • Ticketing • Websites and E-Commerce Areas of Expertise 16 UNITED KINGDOM Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 About Armstrong Teasdale The firm employs over 750 people, of whom more than 380 are lawyers. We represent more than one-third of the Fortune 1000 and serve clients around the globe. During its 122-year history, AT has built a reputation based on the breadth of our lawyers’ skills and knowledge, team approach to representation, responsiveness to clients’ needs and understanding of their businesses. In practice, we strive to operate as a team with boldness, creativity, transparency and passion to provide the highest level of service, efficiency and value to our clients. We embrace the following values: integrity, teamwork, entrepreneurship, investment, celebration, perspective, accomplishment and inclusiveness. We know our firm’s accomplishments would not be possible without our talented team of lawyers and professionals, a fact illustrated by the many individuals included in annual lists such as The Legal 500 U.K., Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in the U.K. and America, Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, and our rank in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Law Firms. We focus on our clients’ success and we are deeply appreciative of our clients’ trust in us to handle their most complex legal matters. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients in pursuit of their business objectives by delivering on our mission. While our London office has a diverse client base, our lawyers and professionals have particular experience working with listed public companies, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs. Over the years, our professionals in London have developed a strong understanding of the challenges facing these types of businesses, and we draw on this valuable experience when advising our clients. Our clients enjoy the following advantages when engaging with Armstrong Teasdale in London: • Major law firm with transactional and contentious experience – our Am Law 200 firm is recognised around the globe, having recently attracted many partners from major international law firms. • Our lawyers are highly responsive, client-focused and approachable – our clients appreciate our partner led, flexible, hands-on and responsive approach. When the unexpected arises or a challenging transaction deadline is set, our lawyers work diligently alongside clients to help them achieve their objectives. • We take a pragmatic, commercial and tactically astute approach to our work – after all, we recognise that client time spent with lawyers is time away from their business. Clients find that we actively seek out, an invariably find, practical and workable solutions to their challenges. • Sector strength – our lawyers have significant sectorial experience in a number of key industries and understand the issues that are material to clients operating in these sectors. • International reach – we work with businesses and lawyers all around the world. Many of our clients are multinational, being based overseas or having international business interests. We have strong affiliations with both Lex Mundi and Alliuris - global networks of independent law firms whom we draw on for in-depth experience in cross border transactions and disputes. Armstrong Teasdale 38-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE E: at@atllp.com | T: +44 20 7539 7272 SOCIAL: Twitter: www.twitter.com/at_law | Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArmstrongTeasdaleLLP/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/armstrongteasdale www.atllp.com Contact 17 USA
I started in the US Senate as a legislative assistant to a senator. I then practiced law for a little more than a decade with a large firm in Michigan. I went on the federal court in 1990 and served there for 27 years; I was the Chief Judge of that court for more than seven years. I have been with JAMS since 1 February 2017. “JAMS” stands for Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services and is the largest provider of alternative dispute resolution services in the world. We have more than 30 offices and about 450 neutrals – mediators, arbitrators, neutral evaluators, etc. I am an owner and a member of the JAMS board of directors. About Gerald E. Rosen Contact Hon. Gerald E. Rosen (Ret.) Mediator/Arbitrator 150 West Jefferson Ave., Suite 850 Detroit, MI 48226 Tel: 313.872.1100 Email: grosen@jamsadr.com www.jamsadr.com 18 USA Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAWYER OF THE YEAR How would you summarise your role in JAMS? I do large, complex mediations and arbitrations, primarily with commercial cases, class actions, intellectual property, employment discrimination and other types of employment law, as well as insurance cases, disputes involving governmental entities and municipalities and environmental disputes. I also do neutral evaluations for parties in all of these areas. A neutral evaluation is basically helping the parties to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their cases so that they can better strategise and position their cases to achieve best results. I am also currently doing claims allocations with large settlements. For example, I am doing a $460 million settlement of the University of Michigan sex abuse case, allocating and deciding claims in that case. How has your work since arriving at JAMS differed from your practice prior to joining? As my practice has grown, I have started doing larger, more complex and higher-profile cases. I am also doing more neutral evaluations, trying to help parties understand and better position their cases for a successful result. I am also doing some claims allocations, which I was not earlier. What was it that initially led you to focus on alternative dispute resolution above other areas of law? I have always enjoyed the process of helping to bring people together to find common ground. This goes back to the time when I served in the US Senate as a legislative assistant to a senator, when we would work on legislation Mediator & Arbitrator - JAMS Gerald E. Rosen (Ret.) Hon. 19 USA
20 USA Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 “I measure my success by adding value to the parties I am working with, whether that is by helping the parties to find a consensual resolution in a difficult case by way of mediation, or by helping parties to focus and strategise their cases more effectively by doing a neutral evaluation for them, or coming to a just result in an arbitration.” and negotiated with other senators over legislative language in a bill. I always enjoyed that process. Then, once I was on the federal court, I would often help parties resolve cases that were pending before my colleagues, or my own cases. What led me to ultimately leave the federal court and focus on a full-time practice of alternative dispute resolution was the Detroit bankruptcy in 2013 and 2014. I was appointed the judicial mediator in the case. This was the largest municipal bankruptcy in history with almost $20 billion in debt and dozens upon dozens of creditors, as well as an enormous impact on the residents of Detroit and the greater state of Michigan. We were able to mediate a fully consensual settlement of the case within just 16 months – which might sound like a long time, but in the municipal bankruptcy world that is warp speed. There is much more I could say about the Detroit bankruptcy, but it was a very complex case and a very intense experience, working with the city and the state, dozens of creditors and of course the court.
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 21 USA Would you say that your work on the Detroit bankruptcy case ranked among your career highlights to date? Yes, it was very, very satisfying to help resolve such an important dispute for my city, my region and my state. But I would also count serving as Chief Judge of my court for more than seven years; I am very proud of what my colleagues and I accomplished during my tenure as Chief Judge. During my tenure on the court, I also had a number of very challenging cases. I tried the first post-9/11 terrorism case, I had one of the earliest cases involving physician-assisted suicide, I had one of the earliest cases involving partial-birth abortion, and many other high-profile cases. I am proud to have come to what I think was a fair resolution of those cases while on the court. Finally, I am very proud of having opened the Detroit office for JAMS. We have been up and thriving for six years now. Can you tell us about some of the cases that you are working on right now? I am currently doing a neutral evaluation for a plaintiff’s class in a class action which involves one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history, and I am helping the plaintiffs strategise and present their case. I am mediating a very large race and age discrimination class action. I am mediating a longstanding dispute over water and sewer charges between the state of Michigan, the largest regional water and sewer authority in the state, and one of our poorest municipalities. I am also working on several very large and complex patent and trade secret cases and, as I say, I am doing the claims allocation for the settlement in the University of Michigan sex abuse case. On a more personal level, how would you measure your success in the work that you undertake? I measure my success by adding value to the parties I am working with, whether that is helping the parties to find a consensual resolution in a difficult case by way of mediation or helping the parties to focus and strategise their cases more effectively by doing a neutral evaluation for them or coming to a just result in an arbitration. I am currently working on a very large arbitration dispute, though it is confidential. I enjoy being an arbitrator because it is sort of like being a judge; you are making decisions and rendering a judgement. Can you share anything about what this award means to you and what the future holds for JAMS? First, let me just say that I am very proud and humbled to be recognised by this very prestigious award, and I am hoping to continue to help JAMS roll out our practice throughout the US and internationally by both the work that I do and through my role on the board of directors with some of my colleagues from around the country. Judge Rosen during a Mediation...
About Londi My name is Londi Gramelis and I am the Principal Solicitor of First Choice Family Lawyers, located in Beverly Hills, New South Wales. I was admitted as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of NSW in 2004 and the High Court of Australia in 2012. Prior to opening my firm, I was an employed solicitor for ten years, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge until I opened my firm in 2014, practicing primarily in family law as well as wills and estates and criminal law – both of which go hand in hand with family law. As a practitioner, I have developed a reputation as a fierce advocate and strong litigator and, I have worked incredibly hard over the years to ensure that my firm as a whole, and the solicitors who I employ, embody that same approach. Contact: Patrice Alkiviadou T: (02) 9579 5555 E: info@firstchoicelaw.com.au www.firstchoicelaw.com.au Gramelis Londi Principal Solicitor First Choice Family Lawyers 22 AUSTRALIA Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 FAMILY LAW LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 which often leads to family law proceedings, represents the most difficult time in a person’s life, whether it is in relation to their financial affairs or their children. In practising over the last 18 years, I wanted to ensure that my skills, experience and knowledge were applied in a way that had a real impact on a person and their family’s life, particularly as I am aware that people generally do not find engaging with a family lawyer to be a pleasant experience. I wanted to provide a service to my clients that was focused on easing the stress and burden they experience during these difficult times and simplifying what can often appear to be complex and overwhelming legal proceedings. What changes have you observed in the sector since you began your practice in 2004, and what changes do you see on the horizon? Throughout the last 18 years I have seen a significant push within the family law sphere to simplify and expedite what was often a drawn out, highly litigious and expensive process. There has been a particular shift towards engaging in alternative dispute resolution to mitigate these issues in recognition of the fact that encouraging parties to keep control of their own futures, whether in relation to care arrangements for their children or their financial affairs, leads to more positive outcomes for all involved. The recent merger and creation of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in September 2021 emphasised the renewed focus on reducing the extent and cost of family law proceedings and presented us as practitioners with a new streamlined approach through the Court. This has highlighted mediation and arbitration as practical solution-based and efficient ways to achieve positive outcomes for clients and, importantly, remove the delays and expense associated with family law proceedings. It is clear to me that there will continue to be a movement away from litigation as the primary way to resolve family law disputes, and as a practitioner, it is encouraging to see that the Court and legislators have taken on board the criticisms of family law proceedings Having practised in family law for 18 years, how have you developed your skills over this period? As with any legal practitioner, there is a focus on continuing professional development and education. I am primarily a litigation lawyer and I have refined my skills as a practitioner and litigator through regular and ongoing appearances in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, as well as the New South Wales Local Court, District Court and Supreme Court. Over the years, and most recently in light of the merge of the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia in September 2021, I have seen the movement towards alternative dispute resolution within the industry as a client-driven way to achieve desirable and beneficial results. To ensure that I stayed at the forefront of change and innovation within the legal industry, I became an accredited mediator through AIFLAM in 2015 in order to offer a wider and more holistic service to my family law clients, either as their advisor or as a mediator. What motivated you to become qualified as an Independent Children’s Lawyer? Throughout my practice as a family law practitioner, it has been impossible to avoid dealing with matters that raise complex, often disturbing and multifaceted issues in relation to children. As an experienced family lawyer, I felt compelled to become an accredited Independent Children’s Lawyer, given my extensive understanding of the impacts which family law proceedings inevitably have on children. I felt that this was an appropriate time in my career to expand on my practice and utilise my advocacy skills in a new way, to assist the Federal Circuit and Family Court and advocate the best interests of children in ways which we as practitioners are unfortunately unable to do when acting for parents. To zoom out slightly, what drove you to specialise in family law? Throughout my early years of practice, I developed an acute awareness that the breakdown in a relationship, “On a professional level, I measure my success by the positive impact that I have had on people’s lives, both as an advocate and as an individual.” 23 AUSTRALIA
24 Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 AUSTRALIA 3. Katramados v Hasapis (No2) [2018] NSWSC 1604; 4. Katramados v Hasapis (No3) [2019] NSWSC 435; 5. Katramados v Hasapis (No4) [2019] NSWSC 846; 6. Katramados v Hasapis (No5) [2021] NSWSC 1656; 7. Katramados v Hasapis (No6) [2022] NSWSC 642; 8. Koyroyshs & Koyroyshs [2018] FamCA 840; 9. Koyroyshs & Koyroyshs [2020] FamCA 626; 10. Koyroyshs & Koyroyshs (No. 2) [2020] FamCA 1060. What does this award mean to you? I have dedicated almost two decades to my professional practice and it is a great privilege and honour to have that work recognised in such a prestigious publication. and are taking active steps to address them. I will continue to be a passionate advocate for my clients, as I have been for almost two decades, and develop my own skills to meet my clients’ needs in this changing landscape. How do you measure your success? On a professional level, I measure my success by the positive impact that I have had on people’s lives, both as an advocate and as an individual. There is no denying that family law matters are complex and take an emotional toll on all involved, and I pride myself on my ability to ease that burden and be empathetic and supportive to my clients whilst still fighting for the best outcome for them and their families. I have had the great privilege of being involved in a number of complex family law and estate matters which have resulted in published Judgments of legal significance, including the following: 1. Notaras & Notaras [2014] FamCA 350 (30 May 2014); 2. Katramados v Hasapis [2018] NSWSC 948; “It is clear to me that there will continue to be a movement away from litigation as the primary way to resolve family law disputes”
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 25 USA
“My name is Fabien Bénédicte Suant, and I am one of the co-founders of CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co, a niche boutique firm dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs who want to expand internationally. Since our inception in 1999, we have been committed to helping our clients overcome the challenges of conducting business in foreign markets, including issues related to operations, red tape and compliance. “While tax concerns are often top-of-mind for entrepreneurs looking to expand abroad, we have found that there are many other factors that can be equally challenging. These can include regulatory barriers, cultural differences and legal and contractual complexities that vary widely from country to country. “As a partner at our firm, my role is to manage and coordinate our team of experts on a day-today basis, as well as to personally assist clients with their specific needs. This often involves working closely with them to understand their business objectives, assess the risks and opportunities in their target markets and develop effective strategies for achieving their goals. “Over the years, we have worked with a wide range of entrepreneurs, from start-ups and emerging businesses to established multinational corporations. No matter the size or complexity of the project, we are committed to providing our clients with the highest level of service and expertise. Our philosophy has always been to act as trusted advisors to our clients, helping them to navigate the complex and often challenging world of international business.” About Fabien Bénédicte Suant www.cbc-legal.com 26 UNITED KINGDOM Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022
Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 TAXATION LAWYER OF THE YEAR How has your practice developed in the 25 years since its founding? CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co has always taken a boutique approach to legal services, and our practice has evolved considerably since we first started 25 years ago. Back then, the European Union was introducing new rules around free movement of capital and trade, and we saw a real need to establish a firm that was solely focused on helping entrepreneurs take advantage of these new opportunities. At first, we specialised in offshore legal services, working mostly with international entrepreneurs who were facing the challenges of globalisation. Our goal was to help smaller businesses access international structuring in the same way that large multinational companies do, but at a cost that was affordable and transparent. Since then, our practice has evolved in many ways. We have stayed true to our boutique approach, but we have expanded our services to meet the needs of our clients. Today, we work with a diverse range of businesses, from start-ups to established multinational corporations, and we help them navigate the complexities of international business operations. We have developed organically over the years by focusing on consistency in our work quality and our approach to our clients’ problems. We understand that the law can be very complex, and the reality of international business operations is even more so, with external factors like technology and compliance algorithms adding new layers of complexity. To be effective in this environment, we believe that it is essential to stay up to date with the latest developments in the legal and business worlds and to be creative in finding alternative solutions for our clients. Whether it is opening a business account in a foreign country, dealing with compliance issues or managing cross-border transactions, we are here to help our clients navigate the challenges of international business. What is your biggest concern for the next 25 years? My biggest concern for the next 25 years is the growing abuse of power by governments and institutions around the world. In my work, I have witnessed a disturbing trend of governments using their authority to violate the rights of individuals and businesses, often with little or no accountability. Co-Founder of CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co Fabien Bénédicte Suant 27 UNITED KINGDOM
28 UNITED KINGDOM Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022 One example of this is the increasing use of stolen data to conduct fishing expeditions for international tax assistance. These actions are conducted with impunity, as current laws do not provide sufficient protections for taxpayers in these situations. In addition, I am deeply troubled by the manipulation of public opinion that we have seen in recent years, as well as the corruption that has been exposed at the EU level. These developments are particularly concerning given the potential for the EU to be an innovative, standards-setting institution that works for the benefit of all its citizens. My biggest fear is that people will become increasingly disengaged from the political process and will not exercise control over the actions of their elected representatives. This lack of trust in the system creates the possibility for governments and institutions to be used to control people’s minds, rather than empowering them to develop and thrive as individuals within a group. I believe that it is essential to hold those in power accountable and to work towards a system that is transparent, fair, and just. We must all do our part to ensure that our institutions are serving the needs of the people, not the other way around. What is it that motivates you to achieve the best possible results for clients as you aid them through business set-up? When we assist entrepreneurs with business set-up, I am motivated by the vision and passion of my clients. I have great admiration for those who take risks and work hard to achieve their goals and I feel privileged to be part of that process. To me, it feels like being an architect who lays down the blueprint for my clients’ roadmap to success. Our firm is a vital part of the solution, helping our clients navigate the complex legal and operational challenges that come with launching and expanding a business. It is an intellectually stimulating process to design a solution that meets the unique needs of each client and oversee all aspects of its realisation, from legal to operational, without missing any details. What I find most rewarding is being on their side every step of the way. I learn a great deal from each of my clients and get to meet many bright and unique individuals. Participating in their success allows us to also grow our human, business and general knowledge. It is not just about learning from training and conferences; it is also about interacting with clients and learning from their unique experiences and perspectives. Ultimately, my motivation comes from seeing my clients succeed and knowing that we played a part in their success. At CHAPLIN, BÉNÉDICTE & Co, we believe that we have a responsibility to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals and contribute to the growth of our economy. That is what drives me and our firm to achieve the best possible results for our clients. What is your approach to problem solving, and how do you analyse complex issues to find creative solutions? My approach to problem-solving involves embracing every problem, no matter how big, as an opportunity to use the “It is important to be super specialised in your area of expertise. Do not try to be a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.”
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