ECLA Newsletter, May 2018

NETWORKING EVENTS

RECEPTION 2018 – KICK-OFF AT ECLA’S NEW OFFICES IN BRUSSELS

On 11 April 2018 ECLA opened its new office in Brussels, Belgium, and hosted the 2018 Reception. 200 guests from all over Europe attended the exclusive event and enjoyed the evening’s keynote speech on the future of the European Union by Guy Verhofstadt, Former Prime Minister of Belgium and Chair of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament.

“It’s a brave new world”

We live in a world that is becoming ever more entwined and interdependent, where companies operate across borders and national law is increasingly affected by European and international rules. The number of in-house company lawyers is growing rapidly, driven by globalization and the increasing transnational legislation that companies must apply and respect. “It’s a brave new world for all of us. One of challenges, but also of great opportunities.” Those words were spoken by ECLA’s President Jonathan Marsh on 11 April 2018 at the 2018 Reception and opening of ECLA’s new office in Brussels, Belgium.

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Pleading for the professional status of company lawyers 
After a warm welcome by Marcus M. Schmitt, Managing Director of ECLA Association Services SPRL, ECLA’s President Jonathan Marsh opened the evening with a plea for the professional status of company lawyers. “It is high time for the EU and for governments to view company lawyers as partners, as go-betweens, and as ambassadors of EU law in the corporate world.”

Guy Verhofstadt on the future of the European Union

The evening’s keynote speaker Guy Verhofstadt, Former Prime Minister of Belgium and Chair of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, shared his visions for the future of the European Union. Considering the high-speed globalization of the world, he strongly believes that the European Union needs to be fundamentally reformed. “Europe can only stand strong in this new world order, if we stand united, and that means: if we build up the right institutions to keep us united” – ECLA shares this view. This European association represents company lawyers all over Europe and addresses major challenges for legal in-house departments in European companies.

ECLA’s permanent presence in the heart of the European Union

“We will bring Europe’s company lawyers closer together, offer a vital and unprecedented platform for networking and best practice sharing within the legal community,” said Jonathan Marsh, President of ECLA. With the new office, permanent presence in Brussels and a strong team, the association is taking the next step to becoming the special “European Union”, one exclusively dedicated to the company lawyers of Europe.

An opening event with prominent guests

The new office of ECLA Association Services SPRL in Brussels was opened on 11 April 2018. The event was attended by many prominent figures and offered guests an impressive program. Almost 200 participants from all over Europe attended the ECLA Reception 2018. Representatives of ECLA member associations, European politics, bar associations, law firms and various members of the European legal society were present. After a warm welcome by ECLA‘s General Manager Marcus M. Schmitt, Association President Jonathan Marsh opened the evening with a plea for the professional recognition of company lawyers. „It is high time for the EU and for governments to view company lawyers as partners, as go-betweens, and as ambassadors of EU law in the corporate world.“

The key note speaker of the evening, Guy Verhofstadt, shared his visions for the future of the European Union with those in attendance. In view of the world‘s rapid globalization, he firmly believes that the Union must be fundamentally reformed. „Europe can only stand strong in this new world order, if we stand united, and that means: if we build up the right institutions to keep us united.“

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EUROPEAN COMPANY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Avenue Louise 326, 1050 Brussels
Belgium
Phone +32 2-808 54 56
info@ecla.eu
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