The Future Firm Forum '08 Click here to register "This is likely to become the most sought-after event in the calendar for far-sighted leaders." NZ Lawyer, ('Forum Goes Off With A Bang' - 7/12/07) I would like to invite you to experience a special weekend in New Zealand this coming October. I'm excited to be hosting, once again, a forum for a small group of law firm leaders, partners and senior law managers (Practice/HR/Marketing/IT) who want to create extraordinary practices. " If you attend any seminar or forum this year, this one has to be at the top of the list!" Ian Blackman, Managing Partner, Blackman Spargo, Rotorua The inaugural Forum last year was an amazing experience for all concerned. We had ideas, inspiration, great food and wine, camerarderie and even opera singing! The consensus was that it should become an annual event. Several attendees from last year have already booked to attend again. This year, I aim to make the forum even more enjoyable. Over the weekend, you will focus on shaping a successful future for your practice. You will be inspired by leading-edge ideas. You will emerge with renewed energy, enthusiasm and focus. "..probably the most enjoyable conference that I have attended and the most rewarding." Richard Hobson, CEO, Mason Sier Turnbull, Melbourne This is an interactive forum with stimulating contributions from select, specially invited, thought-leaders. The real energy and impetus during the weekend will come from each person’s contribution, be it in session, during a fire-side chat or over dinner. Although I have led hundreds of workshops and seminars and participated in many law firm retreats, I now know that a residential weekend of interactive discussion like this can create more ideas and energy to sustain positive changes than any other type of event. Read more about last year's forum here. "..rewarding on a professional and a personal level." Patrick See, Partner, Lloyd & Lloyd, Sydney During the weekend forum, you will be challenged to think about how you can rise above the ‘sea of sameness’ in which so many firms remained trapped. My goal is to accelerate your progress towards breaking new ground in this old profession called ‘law’. As your host, I promise to provide a stimulating environment in which you can focus on important personal and professional issues. Come and spend a fulfilling weekend with positive, spirited people as we discuss key ideas that can enable you to create a better practice and make a difference in the world. "Good topics, good company, good food, good venue - well worthwhile." Pam Brian, Manager, White Fox and Jones, Christchurch Who will be contributing this year? Our special guest presenter is Professor Richard Susskind OBE. Richard will be giving an exclusive presentation specially recorded for the Forum on dvd. Richard has specialised in legal technology for 25 years. He is an independent adviser to major professional firms and to national governments. He lectures internationally and has been invited to speak in over 40 countries. He has written and edited numerous books, including Expert Systems in Law (OUP, 1987), The Future of Law (OUP, 1996) , Transforming the Law (OUP, 2000) and The Susskind Interviews: Legal Experts in Changing Times (Sweet & Maxwell, 2005) and is a law columnist for The Times. His new book, 'The End of Lawyers' is due for release in November 2008. I'm really excited that Chris Marston has agreed to join us via live video from Boston. Chris is the CEO of Exemplar Law, which he founded in 2005. Gifted with a natural entrepreneurial spirit and intellectual curiosity, Chris set out to revolutionize the legal industry moments after graduating with a vision for creating the firm of the future. This firm would abandon traditional law practice and the billable hour, focusing on the value of services provided, rather than the cost of one's time. After conducting thorough research on the topic of the history of law and the billable hour, and unable to find a law firm with this unique business model, it sparked the idea for a business. That business is Exemplar Law. By popular demand, Ron Pol is back to join us again. Ron is Director of Team Factors and the Past-President of the Corporate Lawyers Association of New Zealand. He has unique experiences and networks within corporate, government and professional services environments across multiple jurisdictions, with a keen understanding of international best practice combined with thought-leadership. He also brings to the Forum a wealth of targeted benchmarking data and experience. Also joining us will be Ashley Balls of Legal Best Practice. As Ashley might say, he's worked with lawyers for rather longer than he's prepared to admit! Based in New Zealand, he works globally with a diverse range clients who are committed to recognising that the future of legal services will not necessarily be an extension of the past. He knows what works and what doesn't. Passionately committed to building increased profits in the face of mounting internal and external competition for services, Ashley will undoubtedly be an invaluable contributor to the Forum. What will my role be? I’ll be your host throughout the week-end. My job will be to welcome everybody and ensure that you will have a superb and worthwhile experience. The Agenda Our time together will look something like this: Friday 1pm 17 October 2008 Introductions over sandwich lunch Simon Tupman – Welcome and overview Ron Pol and Ashley Balls - Crystal-ball gazing with Ron and Ashley Tramping for Softies - 1 hour gentle walk in Tongariro National Park Rainforest(weather permitting) Drinks and dinner - The Matterhorn Restaurant Saturday 18 October 2008 Chris Marston – No Hourly Bill, No Hourly Bull Richard Susskind – The End of Lawyers? Cycling For Softies - Your chance to freewheel down Mt Ruapehu! (weather permitting) Wine tasting - Junction General, Ohakune Railway Station Dinner - Cypress Tree The Location and Logistics We will meet in Ohakune at the base of the Turoa skifield at majestic Mount Ruapehu on New Zealand’s North Island on Friday 17-Saturday 18 October 2008. The venue is the superb Powderhorn Chateau situated midway between Auckland and Wellington. The nearest airports are Wanganui (106 kms), Taupo (132 kms) and Palmerston North Airport (188kms). All are serviced daily by Air New Zealand. Car hire is available at all airports. Why not arrive early or leave late and get in some skiing at Turoa (weather permitting)? If travelling from Auckland or Wellington, you might want to consider taking the train as an alternative. Trains run into Ohakune from both Auckland and Wellington on the Friday and return on Sunday. (Timings may favour Wellingtonians more on the Friday afternoon!) Attire is casual and comfortable. Due to the personal nature of the participation, there will be no recording of the sessions. What previous attendees have said: "Apart from the great company, the food and relaxing environment and the fellowship of like minded people committed to leadership and change in the legal profession, the high quality of the presentations resulted for me in an epiphany that the true essence of “success” is found in a commitment to establishing and building close relationships with clients. By attending this one forum, BlackmanSpargo has experienced a paradigm shift resulting in an exceptional financial result this last year which ironically is no longer the firm’s primary goal." Ian Blackman, Blackman Spargo, Rotorua I appreciated the informal, intimate atmosphere of the weekend, we could interact directly with speakers and other participants at the forum. We could go off on small tangents or explore particular areas of interest without the strict time constraints of most big conferences. Good topics, good company, good food, good venue - well worthwhile." Pam Brian, Manager, White Fox and Jones, Christchurch “The Future Firm Forum is a totally different experience from the usual seminars in which participants are told about the latest legal developments. The level of genuine engagement between speakers and participants across the entire two days, in a great location free from the distracting influences of the big cities, is quite remarkable. It’s all about strategic focus for law firm leaders.” Ron Pol, Director, Team Factors Ltd "The Future Firm Forum weekend in Ohakune last year was probably the most enjoyable conference that I have attended and the most rewarding. But don't tell everyone, those who attended want to keep it 'our little secret! Richard Hobson, CEO, Mason Sier Turnbull, Melbourne "The structure of the forum was such that you quickly develop a good rapport with other participants and presenters. It was a relaxed environment and most conducive to gaining a great deal from both presenters and participants alike." Meryll Waters, CEO, Lane Neave, Christchurch "I am delighted to recommend Simon Tupman’s Future Firm Forum for 2008. I attended last year’s event in Ohakune in New Zealand’s North Island and I found it to be rewarding on a professional and a personal level. The participants had two full days to discuss future legal practice and trends in the company of leading New Zealand and Australian lawyers as well as to hear and interact with internationally renown speakers. Discussions with the experts and other lawyers were open, friendly and addressed individual concerns. Participants had many opportunities to consider how to improve fundamental aspects of their legal practices and had the time to examine how improvements could be implemented. In the hurly burly of day to day practice, my experience is this does not otherwise happen. Simon’s next Forum will surely build on this tradition of providing lawyers with guidance to set a fruitful course for themselves and their firm. This applies whether the lawyer is from a small or large practice or whether he or she works in house." Patrick See, Partner, Lloyd & Lloyd, Sydney The Arrangements If staying at the Powderhorn Registration includes everything at the Forum: your accommodation, single/double room, drinks and dinner on Friday evening, two breakfasts (Sat and Sunday), two working lunches (Friday and Saturday), refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks, cycling, wine tasting, drinks and dinner on Saturday night. “The cost of the forum and accommodation was comparatively modest, but the experience was priceless." Richard Hobson, CEO, Mason Sier Turnbull, Melbourne The base fee is NZ$2,900.00 plus GST per person. However, you can lower that fee significantly through the following options: Early bird registration: Register by 21 August and pay just NZ$2,600, saving $300; Alumni/Client: if you attended last year's Forum or are a current or past client of mine (or any of the other presenters or affiliates who have notified you about this event), pay NZ$2,300 plus GST, saving $600; Colleague: If you choose to attend with one or more colleagues, they may attend for NZ$2,000 plus GST each, saving up to $900. Spouse/partner: if you wish to bring your spouse/partner to attend the social functions on Friday and Saturday evening (at which they would be very welcome), then you should budget for a further $200 plus GST. Please note that there are only a limited number of rooms available at the Powderhorn. These have been reserved, so if you wish to stay there, you are advised to make your booking sooner rather than later. If making your own accommodation arrangements If you wish to make your own accommodation arrangements, the base fee will be NZ$2,500 plus GST per person. This includes all the above except your accommodation and breakfasts. You can lower that fee significantly through the following options: Early bird: Register by 21 August and pay $2,200 plus GST saving $300; Client: pay $2,000 plus GST saving $500; Colleague: colleague pays $1,800 plus GST, saving up to $700. To source alternative accommodation, click here. Chalets in Ohakune can be booked through Ruapehu Chalet Rentals. We accept payment by cheque or direct funds transfer. Registration will be confirmed once payment in full is made. The Small Print At the time of announcement (28 July 2008), all presenters were confirmed to participate. While every effort will be made to ensure their participation, this cannot be guaranteed. Cancellation policy Prior to August 31, full refund less $250 fee; September 1-30 50% refundable; October 1 – 17 no refunds. Reserved places are transferable. I look forward to welcoming you to a memorable week-end of inspiring ideas, stimulating company and great food and wine in Ohakune. I hope you'll join us. Click here to register or email me directly at . Alternatively, call my office directly on +64(0)6 385 8228. Simon Tupman Director, Lawyers With A Life