10th anniversary of the Legal Management Forum in Madrid under the slogan "Future Tech, Human Touch"

Under the honorary chairmanship of H.M. King Felipe VI and under the motto "Future Tech, Human Touch", the Aranzadi LA LEY Foundation and the Think-tank for innovation and transformation in the legal sector Inkietos held, for the tenth consecutive year, what has become the must-attend annual event for business law professionals in law firms and companies in Spain.

This 10th edition was once again sponsored by Banco Santander and the Aranzadi LA LEY Foundation, and supported the Spanish scientific research NGO Cris Contra el Cáncer.

The event offered an elite programme with around thirty internationally renowned experts as speakers, including Stefan Schwarz, Xavier Marcet, Andrea Miskolczi and Reena SenGupta, who delivered a powerful keynote speech on the need for companies to innovate.

The event was divided into two days, starting on Monday 27 November with the plenary session in the renovated Mutua Madrileña auditorium, with a spectacular stage of more than 80 m2 and space for more than 550 people, and culminating on the second day with sessions at the headquarters of Santander Spain, with three parallel itineraries where profitability, technology and reputation were discussed in thematic sessions.

There were also jamming sessions and an improvisation play based on humour.

After a warm welcome by Cristina Sancho, President of the Aranzadi LA LEY Foundation; Mercedes Carmona, President of Inkietos and Legal Director of Becton Dickinson for Spain and Portugal; Emilio Martínez, Partner and COO of Cuatrecasas and member of Inkietos; and Julia Fernández, Director of Collectives and Non-Resident Business at Santander Spain, the plenary session kicked off, with the following topics being debated:

Humanistic Leadership in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence
In a world where generative artificial intelligence is redefining the limits of what is possible, it is imperative to refocus our vision of leadership. We will explore how to integrate the human essence in this new technological era, where empathy, values and conscious leadership can and must be the compass of sustainable evolution.

Speaker:
Xavier Marcet. President of LTC (Lead To Change)

The strategy of innovation and efficiency in industry

Panellists:
Andrea Miskolczi. CEO of InterAlia Consulting
Stefan Schwarz. Head of Legal Operations at Linklaters
Teresa Zueco. Managing Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
José Rodríguez. Director of Innovation and Technology, KPMG Abogados.legal

Law firm growth in the new economic context
In a crisis-ridden economy, law firms are facing unprecedented challenges. In this roundtable, leaders in the industry will discuss the strategies they have adopted to not only maintain, but also promote growth.

Panellists:
José Vicente Morote. Co-Managing Partner of Andersen in Spain and Portugal.
Pedro Pérez-Llorca. Managing partner of Pérez-Llorca.
Rosa Vidal. Managing partner of Broseta
Carlos García-León, Managing Partner of Legal Reputation. Member of Inkietos

A look at corporate law in the early years of the profession
The effective transformation of the legal function in companies

Panellists:
Ana Bayó. Director of Legal, Patents and Compliance at Bayer for Spain and Portugal.
Rosario Baquero. Head of Finance, Administration and Control at SSJJ and Director of the Iberdrola Legal Innovation Centre (LINCE).
Juan Riego. Legal Director and Secretary of the Board of Carrefour Spain.
Manuel Fernández. Partner at Deloitte Legal

Beyond organic: Overcoming the barriers
The pros and cons of inorganic growth in law firms. Impact of M&A on business strategy, decision making, talent management and brand value.

Panellists:
Enrique Ceca. Partner and Managing Director of Ceca Magán
Pedro Rodero. Executive Chairman of Ontier
Cristina Sancho. President of the Aranzadi LA LEY Foundation.

The impact of generative AI on law firms and in-house counsel
Generative Artificial Intelligence has entered the legal profession like a cyclone. Generative AI has great potential to improve the efficiency and quality of legal work, but it also raises ethical, reliability, privacy and regulatory challenges.
The panellists discussed the opportunities and risks that this technology presents to law firms and in-house counsel.

Panellists:
Asier Crespo. Legal Director, Microsoft Ibérica
Idoya Fernández. Partner and Head of Knowledge and Innovation, Cuatrecasas.
Elen Irazabal. Founder and CEO of AdvocatusAI.
Beatriz Pérez-Olleros. Product and Market Solutions Director at Aranzadi LA LEY

Rise of Genghis Khan, the last days of Roger Federer and generative AI for lawyers
Speaker:
Reena SenGupta. Managing Director, RSGI Limited

In the words of Guillermo Pérez Alonso, one of the founders of Inkietos and director of the digital agency Social Lex: "This year was special because it was the 10th anniversary of the Legal Management Forum. Few would have believed that such an event could be held for ten years in a row, becoming without a doubt the most important legal event on management in law firms in continental Europe. As a founding member of Inkietos, it was exciting to see this year’s turnout, which was truly massive, and I am very proud of my colleagues on the organising committee for their success".

The event was hosted and moderated by journalist Gloria Serra.

Inkietos is Spain’s largest Think-tank for innovation and transformation in the legal sector.