SPECIAL FEATURE NEWSLETTER 2015 London / Birmingham FLI NET Partners Conference, May 20 – 23, 2015 Every year the FLI NET conferences raise the bar. Every year, they becomes more interesting and better attended. This was definitely true for last year’s conference, which took place in the State where everything is “bigger and better,” Texas. Planning a conference after such a grand success can be a daunting task. What will our Partners think, what kind of expectations do they have, and how can we surpass their expectations once again? If judging from the feedback received during the event, the success of this conference can be attributed to the team work carried out by FLI HQ. And while we work closely with the members of the steering committees of our cosponsors Wragge Lawrence Graham and Co. and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. the brunt of the planning and execution was done in-house. After months of phone calls, emails and a pre-visit to the venue, the stage was finally set to convene the FLI NET 2015 Spring Conference – London/Birmingham. In anticipation of welcoming all our traveling Partners to the stunning facilities of Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co., at 4 More London, FLI held its plenary Board Meeting. In attendance were the Board members from Germany, The Netherlands, South Korea, Angola, Japan, India, and of course, our host and Chairman from the UK. At the conclusion of the Board meeting’s official business, representatives from new FLI NET member firms from China, Morocco, Mexico, Malta, Austria, Luxembourg and Peru were invited to present their credential to the Board and be officially welcomed into the FLI family. The conference kicked off with a cocktail reception at the spectacular offices of Wragge Lawrence Graham and Co. in London. The stunning view from this reception overlooking the London Bridge and the Tower of London was welcome by all. To be warmly greeted by WLG’s CEO, Andrew Witts in front of two of London’s icons will remain a memory, many of our fellow FLI NET Partners and VIP guests will never forget. It was a fantastic way to start the conference and left us all excited for the two days to come.

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SPECIAL FEATURE NEWSLETTER 2015 London / Birmingham FLI NET Partners Conference, May 20 – 23, 2015 FLI NET Partners from over 40 countries flew in for the conference, and although some were not able to stay for the entire duration in both venues, we enjoyed their attendance tremendously. We had 10 new partners, and soon to be partners making their debut, including Austria, China, Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, Morocco, Luxembourg, Turkmenistan, Malta and Ireland (third time attendee). We also welcomed a dozen Ambassador clients and other VIPs including industry experts, legal content publishers and technology innovators. Last year, in this report, the following question was asked: What makes First Law International a top-ranked Legal Network? Although the various answers from the FLI NET Partners in attendance was as diverse as it was long, considering FLI’s humble beginnings this was impressive. A new question was asked during this year’s conference: How can First Law International grow into a more focused and business-oriented network? The answer to this question was answered by both clients and outside consultants. What is clear is that the model is unique and has many benefits which explain why so many firms are attracted to FLI. This London/Birmingham conference has clearly demonstrated that the FLI NET partners are ready to step up and take the network to a much higher level. The following day we all navigated London’s metro system to safely arrive at London Euston train station in time to get on the privately charted train carriage to Birmingham. This gave our partners an opportunity to talk and relax before the substantive part of the conference started later that afternoon. After arriving in Birmingham and being taken to the hotels to drop off their luggage, the delegates headed to Wragge Lawrence Graham and Co.’s Birmingham offices, which offered a rather central and convenient location from which to convene all FLI NET Partners to build bridges and share knowledge. After a mouth-watering lunch that had been set up at Wragge’s offices, the conference officially kicked-off with the opening remarks by our President, Orlando Casares (FLI Principal) and Chairman of FLI Board, David Hamlett (Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co.). Following the welcome remarks, they were joined by Pete Larsen to present the FLI NET Management Report and to introduce the FLI Bylaws. Subsequently, a number of new FLI NET Partners took the stage to introduce themselves before the general assembly (i.e. Austria, China, Costa Rice, Ireland, Peru, Mexico, Luxembourg, Turkmenistan and Malta). Following these introduction, the floor was given to our FLI NET Partners from Turkey (Begüm Durukan Özaydın and Dr. Ali Murat Sevi from Birsel Law Offices) for a presentation on the Legal Environment Surrounding Foreign Direct Investments in Turkey. First Law International sprl Avenue Louise 523 1050 Brussels Belgium

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SPECIAL FEATURE NEWSLETTER 2015 London / Birmingham FLI NET Partners Conference, May 20 – 23, 2015 To add diversity and richness to the program, a number of external speakers took to the stage to address clients, VIPs and all FLI NET firms on following timely topics: “Investing In… Guide” – Aim, Results, Statistics (Jonathan Bell – Thomson Reuters, UK & David Hamlett – Partner at Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co., UK) and Disruptive Innovation Forces in the Legal Industry (Alan Hodgart – Hodgart Associates). After the final presentation, by Mr. Hodgart, which left all attendees inspired and wanting more, the assembly was divided into three groups and the FLI Board members conducted simultaneous break-out Business Development sessions on the following topics:   

Dynamic discussion based on Alan Hodgart’s compelling presentation Optimizing business development opportunities between FLI NET firms in light of investors attending the conference Best Practices on client satisfaction, retention, and repeated business

To conclude a very productive Day-One of the conference, all attendees enjoyed delicious meal at the well-known Thai Edge restaurant. The vast selection of Thai culinary dishes and impeccable service was a fantastic way to end Thursday. Friday’s session took place at the historic Birmingham City Council. After the grand opening and welcome speeches by Orlando Casares (FLI Principal), Shardul Shroff (Managing Partner Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.) and Michael Luckman (Partner, Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co.), the keynote speakers took to the stage. Mr. Shardul Shroff took all attendees on a journey of India’s being the rising force in the World Economy. Following his insightful address, Mrs. Pallavi Shroff, one of India’s most powerful businesswomen, from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. spoke about International Arbitration. The morning session by such prominent speakers highlighted India’s importance of understanding India’s course to overtake China as the world’s fastest growing economy. First Law International sprl Avenue Louise 523 1050 Brussels Belgium

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SPECIAL FEATURE NEWSLETTER 2015 London / Birmingham FLI NET Partners Conference, May 20 – 23, 2015 After a light lunch in the banqueting suite, Jonathan Bell of Thomson Reuters took the lead on moderating a lively panel discussion on “How not to get fired.” The panel was composed of very prominent FLI NET clients and guests, such as Keith Austin (Senior VP, DHL Global Business Services), Saibal Mukherjee (Legal Director, Stryker International), Brenda Perry (CFO, Bray International) Elvira Della Sala (Legal Counsel, NEC), David Brinley (General Counsel, Shell International) and Carol Creel (General Counsel, Metaldyne). The powerful panel comprised the combined talent of decades on general counselling some of the worlds’ premiere companies. To have assembled such powerhouse under one roof, here in Birmingham, was unprecedented. Reinforcing FLI’s focus on Practice Group developments, the Heads of FLI NET Data Protection (Kirsten Whitfield - Wragge Lawrence Graham), Life Sciences (Catherine Longeval – Van Bael & Bellis), Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation (Dan Livingston – Payne & Fears), and Oil & Gas (Paul Yale – Gray Reed & McGraw) gathered FLI NET Partners in four break-out sessions and discussed effective ways to advance PGs business activities and leverage the underutilized power of the Network. The last keynote speaker of the day was Mr. John Suh (CEO – Legal Zoom) who graciously agreed to join FLI immediately following his own Board meeting only a few hours earlier and flew overnight to join us. He elaborated on the topic of how “Big Law – Small Law: Finally Converge.” Considering the great American success story of LZ, having John as a closing speaker was inspiring. After the concluding remarks by David Hamlett, attendees were taken back to the hotels to get ready for the conference’s most anticipated social party: the Gala Dinner & Award Ceremony. This year’s jaw-dropping venue was the historic Warwick Castle built by William the Conqueror in 1068. Considering its historical importance for the development of English law, it was the perfect venue to honour FLI NET partners and clients. The atmosphere, medieval musical acts and jester took all back in time, and it was the perfect way to conclude this year’s FLI NET Spring Conference.

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SPECIAL FEATURE NEWSLETTER 2015 London / Birmingham FLI NET Partners Conference, May 20 – 23, 2015 In keeping with tradition, the Conference could not be adjourned without first acknowledging the achievements of various individual Partners and law firms as well as Clients. FLI’s principal, Mr. Orlando Casares, assisted by the members of the Board had a pleasure to present following awards during the Gala soiree:

FLI NET Spring Conference 2015 Host Excellence Award

Remarkable Contribution to FLI NET Award Outstanding Performance as Chairman of the Board

Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. FLI NET Partner – United Kingdom

DAVID HAMLETT Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. FLI NET Partner - United Kingdom

Advisory Board Contribution Award Champion of FLI NET members

Client Management Team Excellence Award

WILLEM HEEMSKERK Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn N.V. FLI NET Partner – Netherlands

CATHERINE LONGEVAL & MARTIN FAVART Van Bael & Bellis FLI NET Partner – Belgium

Distinguished Client Management Award

FLI NET Leading Goose Best Outsourcing Partner Award

KRISHAN MALHOTRA Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. FLI NET Partner – India

J. CARY GRAY Gray Reed & McGraw FLI NET Partner - USA

Client of the Year 2014/15 Award Best Use of FLI NET Talent in Cross-border Acquisitions

FLI NET Spring Conference 2015 Sponsor Excellence Award

BRENDA PERRY Bray International, Inc.

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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. FLI NET - India

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SPECIAL FEATURE NEWSLETTER 2015 London / Birmingham FLI NET Partners Conference, May 20 – 23, 2015

The awards were well received by the individual recipients and some were even stunned by the acknowledgement. It is with this in mind that on behalf of FLI HQ, we would like to express our gratitude to all attending FLI NET Partners and VIP guests and valued Clients for taking the time off their busy schedules to join us in London and Birmingham, and, particularly, our hosts and sponsors – Wragge Lawrence Graham and Co. & Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. – for going out of their way to ensure the resounding success of the event. Thank you! First Law International sprl Avenue Louise 523 1050 Brussels Belgium

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SPECIAL FEATURE NEWSLETTER 2015 London / Birmingham FLI NET Partners Conference, May 20 – 23, 2015 Voices from conference attendees:

FLI NET USA, Payne & Fears “I am continually impressed with the caliber of the member attorneys. Wragge firm did an excellent job of hosting an organizing the event.” FLI NET France, Lamy Lexel “The conference had very good Practice Group sessions and extremely interesting panel discussion composed of FLI NET clients.” FLI NET Austria, PHH ”As a newcomer, I came with no particular expectations and was overwhelmed how professional the network and the organisation is.” FLI NET Azerbaijan, BM Morrison Partners “I really enjoyed the event and new people whom I met in both London and Birmingham.” FLI NET Costa Rica, Sfera Legal “Thank you again for all your work during the Spring Conference. We thought everything was perfectly organized. I wanted to also thank you for taking such good care of my wife.” FLI NET Indonesia, SSEK "I intend to make a full presentation to all my Partners about how exciting the Conference was. Dinner at the Warwick Castle will be something I will never forget." FLI NET DRC, Maitre Masongo & Associates "It was another wonderful event sponsored by FLI. The co-hosts WLG and Shardul were amazing. Meeting with the Head of Legal for DHL was a highlight considering the work I've been doing for FLI in Africa."

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