are separate."
Barton has worked with several fellow
Primerus firms on matters. When a client
of Brian Wagner from Primerus firm
Mateer Harbert in Orlando, Florida, had a
litigation matter in New York City, Wagner
called Barton. When fellow New York City
Primerus firm Ganfer & Shore needed
another law firm to conduct an internal
investigation for a client and issue a
report, they called Barton. And when
Primerus firm ONC Lawyers in Hong
Kong needed an opinion written based on
New York law, they called Barton.
Barton also has reached out to other
firms when his firm's clients have needs.
For instance, when they needed a yacht
specialist in Poland, they contacted
a Primerus firm. They also have
collaborated with Broedermann Jahn in
Hamburg, Germany, on a cross-border
litigation case, and with Greenberg
Glusker in Los Angeles, California, on
a fraud case arising out of a $50 million
private equity transaction.
In a recent meeting with a client
a private equity fund that manages
$200 billion and conducts business
internationally Barton shared about
Primerus and its benefits for the client.
"We have firms in all of these
jurisdictions we can rely on," Barton said.
"And we really know these firms. I could
see they were very impressed by that."
impressed Karen Austin, Vice President,
Legal & Licensing, for Tractor Supply
Company, a Fortune-500 company based
in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Longtime friend Bob Zupkus, who
is retired from Primerus firm Zupkus &
Angell in Denver, Colorado, told her about
Primerus and invited her to the 2015 PDI
Convocation in Amelia Island, Florida.
She's now a member of the Primerus
attend the first Primerus International
Conference in Miami this spring.
"I think there are a lot of advantages to
an association like Primerus because the
firms have been vetted," Austin said. "You
can trust the law firm."
Austin often has legal needs that arise
in small towns around the United States,
and Primerus is a great tool for her when
that happens.
"It's good to know I can pick a firm in
Missouri or Nebraska and know they will
be good," she said. "You don't want to
just go to the biggest firm in the state and
assume that's what you need. You may be
getting a brand new associate."
Often, it's very important for the lawyer
she hires to be connected and experienced
within the specific jurisdiction.
"And the Primerus lawyers definitely
meet that bill," she said.
Austin also loves Primerus's emphasis
on building relationships.
"I have been at this a long time, and
I really work based on relationships,"
she said. "At [an event like the PDI
Convocation] you're talking with people,
having drinks, riding bikes. You just get
a feel for what they're about, and what
they're about is different than what a bad
lawyer is about."
At the Amelia Island convocation, she
made contacts with many lawyers that
gave her the confidence she needed not
only to work with them herself, but also
to refer them to other departments within
Tractor Supply Company.
"I felt on very sure footing to hire any
of the firms or to refer them out to our
risk department or our real estate legal
department," she said.
more opportunities than ever before for
members and clients to get to know one
another around the world. Based on the
success of the annual PDI Convocation,
launch the first Primerus International
Convocation May 3-5 in Miami, Florida.
Clients from around the world are
invited to attend the event.
Other client opportunities include:
Institute. Now with more than
50 members, the institute brings
together in-house legal counsel,
risk managers, claims managers and
corporate executives responsible for
legal affairs from around the world.
There is no cost to join the institute,
and clients who join are in no way
obligated to hire Primerus lawyers.
with the Association of Corporate
Counsel International Legal Affairs
Committee. Twice a month, Primerus
attorneys from around the world
share their expertise on legal matters
affecting clients.
in partnership with the Association
of Corporate Counsel. Host cities
in 2018 include London, England;
Sydney, Australia; Buenos Aires,
Argentina; Paris, France; Miami,
Florida; and several more cities
throughout the United States.
the highest caliber and highly relevant
educational seminars and roundtable
discussions," Primerus Senior Vice
President of Services Chad Sluss said.
"Clients also have the opportunity to
meet each other and meet lawyers from
all over the world in one location. They
can share their legal issues and learn
about potential solutions."
For a full list of events and webinars,
visit primerus.com.