The first one was small with about 30
members and 20 corporate clients. Since
then, Primerus has held one Convocation
each year with 60 to 70 PDI members
and 50 to 60 clients attending.
"Each one has been an outstanding
success," Buchanan said. "Clients tell
us they welcome the opportunity to meet
quality lawyers from around the world in
a low-pressure environment. It's amazing
to see how the connections made at
events like these build the foundation for
future friendships, as well as attorney-
client relationships."
Though the Convocations and other
Primerus client events provide clients
with the opportunity to meet lawyers who
can help them with their legal needs,
they also help by providing educational
offerings relevant to corporate clients in
their day-to-day work.
Woody remembers one example
from the 2014 PDI Convocation in
Scottsdale, Arizona. A panel of Primerus
attorneys and clients, including Woody,
followed an evolving hypothetical case
scenario based on real world litigation,
highlighting cutting edge and practical
case-related problems. The event
culminated in a mock presentation from
some of the finest Primerus trial lawyers.
The event showed to Woody that
Primerus attorneys are interested not in
transferring fault or finding someone to
blame, but rather in working together with
everyone involved to find the best result of
a bad situation.
"That's the way I like to conduct
business," Woody said.
to Europe
event in conjunction with its Global
Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands
the first time the event was held outside of
the United States.
According to Reinier Russell, managing
partner of Primerus member firm Russell
Advocaten in Amsterdam, the event was a
ever before.
"It was a great environment to
get to know each other and clients
better," he said. "With the dedication
and enthusiasm of all members, we
strengthened personal ties. The result is
providing better service to the clients we
met and making it easier to make referrals
to colleagues."
He added that within the world's big
law firms, partners do not really know
each other, whereas within Primerus,
members really know each other
personally.
Russell said that because Primerus
is a global organization, holding client
events around the world allows Primerus
to better meet the needs of clients.
"The best way to reach clients is by
approaching them in their home country,"
he said. "Knowing people allows us to
tailor our assistance because we know
what they are looking for."
At Russell Advocaten, Russell said
they frequently talk with their clients