Editor's Letter

I HAVEN’T dared to look yet, but I wonder if the toys, tinsel and other festive tat is already making tills ring with glee? After a UK summer of weather chaos and credit concerns, our emporiums must be especially eager for the annual spending ‘splurge’ to begin again.
But I’m not just being as irritatingly premature as a festive ditty by deeming November a good time to reflect on the past year at Managing Partner magazine. I have now been editor of this publication for just over a year. This issue is the anniversary of the first for which I was solely responsible.
Our continuing success is thanks to the efforts of many and varied contributors – either taking time out of their busy schedules to write articles, or being open with their thoughts and concerns in the eclectic mix of interviews I have enjoyed in 2007. We have heard from firms of most shapes and sizes – magic circle and those outside the UK-top-100 – with features on everything from risk management and merger strategy to the ongoing issue of effectively engaging employees with their firms’ futures. We have tracked the trend for introducing new career paths; probed pro bono and other associate opportunities; and asked how firms are preparing for the arrival of alternative business structures.
New faces have also joined our editorial board, and we have continued to hear regularly from longer-serving members. We have expanded our geographic focus too. As law firms increasingly explore international options – whether through transatlantic mergers, innovative global alliances or opening offices in emerging markets – I am pleased to say this has been reflected in our selection of articles. A wide range of country focuses in 2007 have included the Middle East, Ireland, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Channel Islands, and with this issue we turn our attention to the legal landscape in South Africa. I am also particularly pleased to welcome those that previously contributed with such commitment to the US version of this magazine, and continue to offer up their insights with enthusiasm. We operate in a global marketplace and there are definite lessons to learn by sharing experiences across borders.
While immensely satisfying, naturally this activity has not been without its challenges. I am therefore extremely pleased to introduce Lucy McNulty as the magazine’s new editorial assistant. She will be supporting me in planning and creating future issues, and I’m sure she will bring a fresh perspective to some of the perennial issues law firms face.
In this issue we look at the importance of building strong relationships with clients through an appreciation of the in-house legal role. It is a timely topic when just over a month ago the European Court of First Instance (CFI), dismissing a claim from Akzo Nobel, ruled that confidential protection of lawyers’ communications did not extend to those in-house because they are not independent. In response Law Society chief executive Des Hudson said such “inequality” between lawyers was “unsustainable”.
As ever I welcome your thoughts, suggestions and criticisms concerning any aspect of our coverage. Please don’t hesitate to make your views known by e-mailing me at rbrent@ark-group.com.

Richard Brent
Editor