November 29, 2013

IBA lawyers on the run in Boston: An international community bonded in Boston over their love of running; sharing experiences of the Conference, cases and races

We all know that the IBA is a special event, bringing an international community of professionals together and in October 2013 there was an exciting new dimension. This year, we have felt galvanised, not just by sharing the innovative ideas from the sessions but from meeting new contacts and new friends through a common passion for running.

The time spent with our fellow IBA runners was one of the highlights of an already excellent conference. Anyone who has gone to the IBA knows it is not just important to share international legal trends, but often a place to make professional friendships that can last a lifetime. Our daily runs along the glorious sun-dappled Charles River and the oldest, and arguably the most beautiful park in the city, Boston Common, refreshed even the most jaded heads. Our loop took us past the marathon finish line and we were able witness first hand the ‘B Strong’ spirit of Boston.

The "work hard, play hard; run harder" Boston run community included:

• Ricardo Rozas, Chilean maritime and insurance expert at Jorquiera & Rozas Abogados;

• Luis Lopez of Venezuelan firm of Hoet Pelaez Castillo & Duque, corporate expert;

• Michèle Stutz, a certified specialist SBA employment law at MME Partner, and Thomas Mueller, a banking and finance expert at Walder Wyss Ltd, both in Zurich;

• Ronnie Neville, an Irish employment expert at Mason Hayes & Curran, Dublin.

And the London Lycra contingent included: Graham Hain, forensic accountant at Navigant, Jessica Parker and Peter Binning, both fraud and white collar crime experts at Corker Binning, Richard Twomey, a civil litigation expert at Pinsent Masons, Michael Patchett-Joyce, a barrister at Outer Temple specialising in commercial litigation and international arbitration, Jane Colston, a civil litigation expert from Stewarts Law, and myself.

Perhaps it was the common threads between law and running that helped the group bond. Running and building an international business require stamina and a willingness to take on a challenging landscape, with a side order of good-natured competitiveness. Whether from inside the John Hynes Convention Centre or pounding the streets of Boston, we also saw in bucket loads the uniquely supportive environment which has been nurtured by the IBA. United as a group, whether as lawyers or runners, we are better, stronger, bringing out the very best in each other and supporting those who are on the same journey.

Keen to continue to momentum, IBA members who are also runners should contact Michèle Stutz at and Thomas Mueller at when visiting Zurich for a pop-up running club.

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Those visiting London should either contact Jane Colston at or myself, as they are more than welcome to join us on our joint weekly morning run along the Thames (or to sign up for Tokyo). This is a challenge already accepted by Swiss IBA litigation and arbitration expert Mr Saverio Lembo of Bär & Karrer.

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