IAG International General Assembly
BRATISLAVA
11thFebruary 2012
Minutes
Present: see list attached at end
1) Chairman’s welcome and Committee update
The Chairman welcomed all delegates, including those from candidate firm Pallett
Valo, who he asked to identify themselves. He also mentioned the four
other potential members shown on the Agenda, whom the Committee hoped to
recommend for ratification in October.
He gave a brief update of the Committee’s recent focuses of work regarding recruitment,future meetings, the website, specialist groups and member information.
Daden Hunt explained the importanceof the memberinformation provided via the
AMI form, thanked those members who had already submitted this information, and asked the 14 who had not to do so before a final deadline of 31st May, after which (as previously published) their website entries would be amended to show ‘no current information’. Nayra Prado Marrero explained her continuing contacts and researchtowardsestablishing pro bono as an avenue ofco-operation within IAG, and asked any delegates with experience or ideas to contact her. Arthur Bailey gave a quick review of the KSI relationship, which was proceeding well.
2) Minutes of Geneva Assembly, February 2012
The minutes from Geneva werereviewed, and approved without amendment.
3) Host Firm Presentation
The meeting heard a firm presentation from host firm SCWP Schindhelm, with information on Slovakia, its place within the EU and Eurozone, and with a brief introduction on their firm, primarily focussed on the Bratislava office.
Thomas Podlesak made an interesting and informative presentation on green energy.
4) Approval of 2011 Accounts
Treasurer Paolo Alinovi introduced the audited financial statements for 2011. He mentioned the continuing strong cash position, and explained that the Committee were
minded to invest some reserve cash in German bonds during 2012. He asked for any questions or comments.
Jose Alves Pereira suggested spending money on Business Development rather than keeping it in the bank. The Chairman responded that the Committee were trying to reduce the surplus, with Business Development the primary focus for extra attention, but that it was essential to make progress on this while avoiding wasting money by spending for the sake of it. The Asia/ Pacific/ Australasia focus of the Sydney assembly was regarded as the most effective form of business development IAG could currently pursue, and it was intended to invest a substantial amount in subsidising that. Stuart Haynes commented that, in terms of more obvious BD avenues such as advertising or PR, IAG’s entire accumulated surplus would be consumed within weeks, and this was a discussion which had been held several times within IAG. Christopher Whitamore reminded the Assembly that, although the surplus had been recognised for several years as unnecessarily high, it was important for IAG to maintain a strong surplus to cover forward commitments/ liabilities on Assembly arrangements, which sometimes extended in total up to 6 figures.
There being no further points raised on this topic, the Chairman called for a show of hands to approve the 2011 accounts, which were approved unanimously.
The Treasurer thanked Auditor Etienne Laurent for his continuing work, and announced that Etienne was standing as Auditor for the 2012 year, but would not continue beyond that: so that at next year’s GA it would be necessary to elect a new auditor. He invited volunteers or nominations for this role.
5) Committee and Auditor elections
The Chairman introduced the first contested election for the IAG Committee for some years, and welcomed the 4 excellent candidates for the single vacancy. He also thanked Nayra Prado Marrero and Daden Hunt for standing as Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively, and Wolfgang Zacherl for his 2nd term.
Chris Allegaert commented that it was unfortunately inevitable for 3 candidates to be unsuccessful on this occasion. He hoped they would maintain their interest and stand again in future. The Chairman endorsed this sentiment, which was heartily supported by the Assembly.
The election was held by secret ballot. Once counted, it was announced that Iben Lindhardt had been elected after a close ballot in which each candidate had gained significant support. It was also announced that Nayra Prado Marrero had been elected as Vice Chairman and for her second term, Daden Hunt had been elected as Secretary, and Wolfgang Zacherl elected for his second term. It was also confirmed that Etienne Laurent had been elected as Auditor for the 2012 year.
The Chairman thanked Katarina Hallin, stepping down as Vice Chairman after six years on the Committee, for all her work, and the Assembly showed their support by applause.
6) Membership matters
The Chairman again welcomed the representatives of candidate firm Pallett Valo. After asking them to leave the room briefly, he asked the assembly if there were any comments or questions regarding the firm. There were none. He then confirmed that the Committee recommended them to the Assembly for ratification, and asked for a show of hands. This was unanimously in favour of Pallett Valo’s ratification as members of IAG. The representatives of Pallet Valo were invited to rejoin the meeting, and congratulated on their becoming members.
7) Discussion groups
The Assembly split into 8 small groups to discuss a range of pre-set topics, on which each group was asked to present their thoughts briefly. Murray Gottheil, Natalie Peter, Rupert Neudorfer, John Ridgway, Jose Alves Pereira, Paolo Alinovi, Daden Hunt, and Stuart Haynes each presented on behalf of their groups. The Chairman thanked all contributors and presenters, and asked the latter to send a one-page summary of their discussion to the Admin office.
8) Future meetings
The Chairman introduced the forthcoming meetings.
Paolo Alinovi outlined the very attractive plans for Parma, 5-7 October 2012, which were warmly welcomed by the Assembly.
John Ridgway outlined the excellent progress already made by Argyle towards a strong presence in Sydney, 7-10 February 2013, of firms from the Asia/ Pacific/ Australasia region interested in joining IAG, and encouraged as many current IAG firms as possible to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The Chairman echoed this, and reminded delegates that this was a very important business development effort for IAG.
9) Any other business
The Chairman asked for any items of other business to be raised: none were. He
thanked all delegates for their participation and announced that the plenary
element of the meeting was closed.
10) Global risk and forensic technology investigations
Mike Wright of Begbies Traynor made a fascinating and amusing presentation focussed on a real case of his experience, which was warmly received by the delegates.
11) Specialist Groups
The meeting then broke into specialist groups. Sub meetings were held by the IBTG, Litigation, Employment/ Labour Law, and Tax groups.
Present:
Delegates
AUSTRALIA
Argyle Lawyers Pty LtdPeter Bobbin
Jon Ridgeway
AUSTRIA
Neudorfer Rechtsanwälte GmbHWolfgang Zacherl
Saxinger SchindhelmAlois Hutterer
Thomas Podlesak
BELGIUM
ERYV SprlEtienne Laurent
Eric Laurent
Philippe & PartnersDenis Philippe
CZECH REPUBLIC & SLOVAKIA
Host Firm
SCWP SchindhelmMonika Wetzlerova-Deisler
Martina Jankovská
Roman Solc
DENMARK
Ellebye LawyersIben Lindhardt
Henrik Bornebusch
ENGLAND
BTG Global Risk PartnershipMike Wright
(Begbies Traynor)
Ormerod RutterColin McGrory
Kingston Sorel International (KSI)Martin Burchmore
Arthur Bailey
Birketts LLPDaden Hunt
James Austin
Michelmores LLPStephen Morse
Annelie Carver
Ward HadawayRobert Thompson
GERMANY
de faria & partnerThomas Roskens
Silke Giesa
Dr. Appelhagen und PartnerSteffen Helbing
Fingerhut RechtsanwälteRolf Ritzinger
Reiners Rogge RechtsanwälteClemens Rogge
Hanjo Hillmann
THORWARTAlexander Frey
HUNGARY
Kalman Szilasi Sárkozy & PartnersAndrás Szilasi
ITALY
Studio Alinovi Guiotto FerrariPaolo Alinovi
& Mattioli
LIECHTENSTEIN
Juricon Trust Company EstablishmentRupert Neudorfer
NETHERLANDS
Schipper Noordam AdvocatenJan de Rooij
PORTUGAL
Alves Pereira, Teixeira de SousaJosé Alves Pereira
& Associates
SLOVAKIA
Accace K.S. (KSI Members)Patricia Kasajová
Joint Host Firm
SCWP SchindhelmIvana Vingalíková
Patrícia Filadelfiová
Michal Marhefka
SPAIN
Fernando Scornik GersteinNayra Prado Morreno
Elvira Cuxart Fonolleda
SWEDEN
Rosengrens Advokatbyrå ABKatarina Hallin
SWITZERLAND
Staiger Schwald & Partner AGNatalie Peter
TURKEY
Aksan Law FirmH. Ozan Ogut
UKRAINE
IP&C Consult Olga Serbul
USA
Allegaert Berger & Vogel LLPChris Allegaert
Burns & Levinson LLPHarvey Burg
Liner Grode Stein YankelevitzRonald Kravitz
Sunshine Regenstreif & Taylor LLP
Spagnoletti & CoFrank Spagnoletti
CANDIDATES FOR RATIFICATION
Pallett Valo, LLCAnne Kennedy
Murray Gottheil
IAG Administration OfficeChristopher Whitamore
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