13-17 April 2010 – The biennial Spring Meeting of the ABA Section of International Law opened on Tuesday in New York City. Among the world’s leading lawyers invited to speak at the ABA largest seasonal meeting ever was Dimitry Afanasiev, Chairman of EPAM. EPAM was also honored to host the 2010 Spring Meeting Opening Reception at Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur at New York’s Grand Central Terminal.

Attracting over 1300 attendees from all over the world, the biennial meeting of the American Bar Association Section of International Law in New York has emerged as one of the world’s most important gatherings of international lawyers.

On Wednesday, April 14, Dimitry Afanasiev, member of the Partners' Committee of EPAM, spoke at the ABA first-ever full-day Managing Partners Summit. Leaders of more than thirty law firms – representing the world’s largest multinationals, regional and niche practice market leaders – were invited to share their insights on a series of panels on the most pressing topics of the day.

Dimitry’s remarks focused on what he believed were two main issues affecting the management of the global legal profession today:

First, Dimitry commented that for the last 150 years the world's economic growth occurred mostly in the jurisdictions with the rule of law. This has helped the legal profession develop into what it is today. However, the current economic growth is shifting to the emerging markets where the rule of law remains a challenge. This major change will affect the legal profession profoundly.

Second, law firms are lagging behind their counterparts in related fields of professional services in raising capital and creating liquidity of equity as means of attracting top talent. Until then, a most successful lawyer will still be at the bottom of the financial ladder as compared to his or her peers in the professional services community such as investment banking, consulting or marketing.

Later in the day Dimitry spoke at the International Law Practice Management Forum’s panel “The Secrets of Attracting and Leading the Best People” where managing partners of leading law firms from around the world shared their strategies for attracting, developing and retaining law students, associates and partners including a discussion of partner and associate compensation issues, 360-degree evaluations and establishing non-financial incentives. The panelists also discussed their approaches to dealing with lawyers at all levels and developing the next generation of firm leaders. Dimitry commented that any law firm has to offer several conditions to retain talent: a credible mission, a competitive compensation and a good training.

Following the conference programme, EPAM hosted the 2010 Spring Meeting Opening Reception at Charlie Palmer’s Metrazur at New York’s historic Grand Central Terminal.

Dimitry Afanasiev who is also Counselor to the President of the Federal Chamber of Advocates of Russia met with the President-elect of the American Bar Association Mr Steve Zack and invited him to visit Russia this year.