Event Roundup
Message from Ross Nicholls
Dear Members,
Our 2023 Annual conference was attended by over 400 members coming from 85+ jurisdictions around the world. Thank you to everyone who contributed to such a wonderful event in the surprisingly warm and sunny Amsterdam, we were delighted to see so many new relationships and collaborations forming- it really was a conference to remember!
Those who came to town early joined us at a variety of pre-functions hosted by local members and sponsors which was a great opportunity for networking and enjoying time together again in person before the conference formally kicked off. Thanks to all our hosts here, it really was a brilliant time.
The conference itself was filled with a wide variety of professional networking opportunities, expert-led presentations and breakout sessions & workshops ensuring all our attendees had time to connect and strengthen business relationships. We were pleased to see so many member-led sessions also being held during breaks, offering further collaborative opportunities.
The social events consisted of an opening drinks reception hosted at the Stedelijk museum, luxury networking dinner at the Okura Hotel, before finishing with our Closing Drinks reception with a musical performance – the perfect way to end a monumental conference!
IR Global team – thank you for your dedication to creating such a memorable experience. Your hard work and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of the conference, making it a resounding success.
Magdalena Narkun, MDDP Michalik Dłuska Dziedzic i Partnerzy – Poland
Member of the Year
Paul Beare, Paul Beare Ltd England
Following voting via an online poll prior to the conference; we were pleased to announce during the conference that Paul Beare of Paul Beare Ltd is the winner of this year’s 2023 Member of the Year award!
Paul and his team support the needs of overseas companies setting up and operating in the UK.
One element is paramount with every client – they all need support and expert guidance. Paul and his team advise clients on the appropriate legal entity, payroll, VAT, banking and company secretarial services. Clients range from publicly-quoted companies through to owner-managed businesses.
Paul travels frequently to Australia, New Zealand and the US, and has been heavily involved in IR Global for nine years. He uses the support network for clients when they are focusing on expanding their UK company. Clients will use this as a foundation for further expansion into Europe and beyond. Paul Beare has particular expertise in helping clients decide on the best structures to use when setting up and growing a business in the UK – for instance, guiding clients towards the right choice between using a UK branch or a UK subsidiary.
“I am really proud and humbled, and appreciative to everyone who voted for me for this year’s member of the year award. It goes without saying that I was accompanied by some strong finalists in Caroline and Michael and I’m truly honoured and grateful.
I have been part of the network for ten years where acquaintances become friends and from friendships evolve referrals. And that’s what its all about, the cross referrals. After that, ultimately it becomes a family and we are a wide family and I’m delighted.
Congratulations also to this year’s finalists
Caroline Joly, Baro Alto
Michael Kean, Loren & Kean
Criminal Law in FranceCaroline Joly
goldCaroline is a gold memberfinalist 2023Caroline was Member of the Year finalist in 2023Partner, Baro Alto
Construction Law and Real Estate in FloridaMichael Kean
goldMichael is a gold memberfinalist 2023Michael was Member of the Year finalist in 2023Partner, Loren & Kean Law
Thank You to Our Headline Sponsors
Thank you again for the visibility and the excellent organization of the Amsterdam Conference. Great job!
Stéphane Bertouille, Everest Law – Belgium
Commercial Law in BelgiumStéphane Bertouille
silverStéphane is a silver memberPartner, Everest Law
“Sponsoring and attending the Amsterdam IR Global conference was an unforgettable experience. The conference provided us with an opportunity to reconnect with existing friends and meet new colleagues from around the world. The networking sessions were insightful and highly productive, and we were able to gain new knowledge that benefits both our firm and our clients. The team behind the conference did an outstanding job, and we look forward to attending and supporting many future IR Global conferences.”
Nevin Sanli, Sanli Pastore & Hill – US – California
Forensic Accounting in CaliforniaNevin Sanli, ASA
bronzeNevin is a bronze memberDigital PartnerNevin is a Digital PartnerPresident & Founder, Sanli Pastore & Hill
Real Estate in NetherlandsGerbrand Osinga
bronzeGerbrand is a bronze memberPartner, HYS & Co. Advocaten
Real Estate in NetherlandsRob van Duivenboden
bronzeRob van is a bronze memberPartner, HYS & Co. Advocaten
Real Estate in NetherlandsRonald Hogewind
bronzeRonald is a bronze memberManaging Partner, HYS & Co. Advocaten
It was a pleasure attending yet another eventful and productive IR conference. There were lots of opportunities to meet with old friends, as well as plenty of well thought-out events to help spark new relationships. The small break out sessions were a great opportunity to hear different perspectives from colleagues based all around the world and to share our similar experiences/goals.
Georgia Coats, Wade Clark Mulcahy LLP – US – New York
Construction Law in New YorkGeorgia Coats
bronzeGeorgia is a bronze memberPartner, Wade Clark Mulcahy
Thank You to Our Membership Sponsor
Cannabis Advisory , Commercial Law and Commercial Litigation in NetherlandsJohn Wolfs
goldJohn is a gold memberMOTY 2016John was Member of the Year winner in 2016Managing Director, Wolfs Advocaten
Commercial Litigation in NetherlandsWendy van Ool
bronzeWendy is a bronze memberCounsel, Wolfs Advocaten
Sharing Your Event Experience
We would recommend you write a short summary of your time in Amsterdam as this not only provides further firm promotion but also can remind the members you met to reach out and continue conversations.
Many members have also shared their time in Amsterdam via social media platforms such as LinkedIn. This is another great way to further promote your firm’s attendance and to connect with fellow attendees. Some recent examples can be viewed below.
We would also recommend commenting on any posts that feature members you met as this can again lead to continued discussions post-conference. You can easily find these posts by searching the event hashtag:
To meet like-minded individuals at the top of their game in a convivial environment was an absolute pleasure. What is particularly special was the attendance of attendees from numerous financial, accounting and legal firms from all over the globe. A special event by a special organisation.
Reuben Fevrier, Arnold Hill & Co LLP – England
Drinks Reception
Sunday 10th September
Sponsored by HLG and Thomas H. Curran Associates, LLC. The reception was hosted at the Stedelijk Museum, a must-see museum for modern and contemporary art and design in Amsterdam.
Thank you to our drinks reception sponsor
Presentation Day
Monday 11th September
This year focused on the ‘Competitive Advantage’ with thought provoking keynotes from Marc Lammers and Rutger Bregman. Round table conversations centred on what is your firms’ main competitive advantage? And how having a giving mentality will reward you in the long term.
Thank You to Our Speakers
Marc Lammers
Rutger Bregman
John Wolfs
Thank you to our exhibitors
2023 Annual Conference in Amsterdam was a fantastic event. Extraordinarily run with every detail properly attended to. The social events, as always, truly provide a tremendous format for our members from across the globe to spend meaningful time together strengthening our common bond and forging new relationships. Bravo to the entire IR Global team.
Thomas H. Curran, Thomas H. Curran Associates, LLC – US Texas & Massachusetts
Evening Dinner
Monday 11th September
Sponsored by L J Soldinger and Wong Fleming. Attendees enjoyed a luxury evening dinner at the 5* star Okura Amsterdam Hotel. Guests enjoyed a 4-course meal of Japanese influence before ending the evening with a live musical performance!
Thank you to our evening dinner sponsors
Breakout Sessions & Workshops
Tuesday 12th September
Morning sessions allowed for practice area groups to take place hosted by their respective committee members discussing hot topics within their sector and the disputes group enjoyed a visited to the Netherlands Commercial Court, the Real Estate group met with local firm clients to discuss projects in the Netherlands. The afternoon allowed attendees to join various workshops including sessions on Crypto, the future of AI promotion process, presenting, business etiquette and transgressive behaviour.
Thank you to our breakout room sponsors
Excellent programme, very good speakers, very active attendees and beautiful venue.
Peter Snoeker, Snoeker Advocatuur – The Netherlands
Closing Reception
Tuesday 12th September
Attendees for a final gathering, enjoying drinks and musical entertainment. A great way to end the conference!
Thank you to our closing drinks sponsor
IR Team has done it again! With each year, the organisation skills, the time management and the scale and quality of the event are increasing and exceeding expectation (which is tough considering its past events). So many congrats to the efficient team smoothly led by Tom, Ross and Rachel for leading from the front.
Seema Jhingan, LexCounsel, Law Offices – India
Gold Members
At IR Global we want to reward our active & longstanding members. One of the ways we do this is via our Bronze, Silver & Gold member rosettes awarded across the group annually.
We calculate these rosettes on an internal points system based solely on the individual members activity including responsiveness, activity and most importantly inbound and outbound referrals.
During our annual conference in Amsterdam, we presented our gold members with their awards to thank them for their hard work and engagement with the network.
Thank you to all of our gold members, who have gone above and beyond over the past 12 months and over the course of their long-standing memberships with IR Global.
Commercial Law , Crypto and Digital Asset Advisory and Tech-Media-Telecoms in EnglandKatherine Evans
goldKatherine is a gold memberMOTY 2024Katherine was Member of the Year winner in 2024Senior Partner, Mirkwood Evans Vincent
Corporate Law and Employment Law in IndiaAliff Fazelbhoy
goldAliff is a gold memberSenior Partner, ALMT Legal, Advocates & Solicitors
Tax (Law) and Trusts & Estates in California and Tax (Private Client) and Trusts & Estates in NevadaJeb Burton
goldJeb is a gold memberPresident, Estate, Tax and Business Law, THE BURTON LAW FIRM, PC
ON SALE OCTOBER 2nd
IR ‘On the Road’ Dubai 2024
20th – 24th February 2024, Anantara Downtown Hotel, Dubai
IR Global proves again that it is committed to creating valuable experiences for the members & providing for them the platforms & space to work together to improve, not only their individual practices, but also global access to opportunities & valuable advice on growth for their member clients.
Wissam Abousleiman, Abousleiman & co – Lebanon
Check out the Amsterdam 2023
highlights film.
The IR Global Team
Maleza de Charlotte
Senior Client Manager
Rachel Finch
Head of Digital & Sponsorships
Tez Wu
Digital Marketing Manager
Annie Elsmore
Social Media Executive
Charly Rainbow
Social Media Manager
Lorna Scott
Events Manager
Emma Jerome
Events Coordinator
Thomas Wheeler
Founder
Ross Nicholls
Business Development Director
Samuel Roberts
Senior Business Development Manager