“Everyone is trying to cover their responsibilities with correspondence,” observes Mari-Cruz Taboada of Lexington Consultants during a recent Platforum9 session, highlighting one of the many challenges facing international legal teams. As law firms increasingly handle cross-border matters, the ability to work effectively across jurisdictions, cultures, and time zones has become a crucial skill for lawyers at all levels.
Early Career Opportunities
While cross-border work has traditionally been seen as the domain of partners, Taboada argues that younger lawyers have significant opportunities to engage in international matters earlier in their careers. “It’s very rare that law firms nowadays don’t have any international opportunity,” she notes, suggesting that associates should actively seek involvement in sector committees, client focus groups, and international networks.
Building International Profiles
For young lawyers looking to develop their international practice, several pathways exist:
- Joining international networks that welcome younger lawyer participation
- Leveraging language skills and multi-jurisdictional qualifications
- Supporting partners on existing international matters
- Engaging with sector-specific initiatives
- Building relationships with peers in other jurisdictions
Cultural Navigation
One of the primary challenges in cross-border work is managing cultural differences, particularly around time management and leadership styles. Some cultures prefer formal approaches while others are more informal. Similarly, expectations around deadlines and decision-making processes can vary significantly across jurisdictions.
Communication Best Practices
To manage complex international matters effectively, Taboada recommends:
- Regular, brief meetings instead of lengthy email chains
- Clear allocation of roles and responsibilities from the outset
- Establishing core teams with designated project managers
- Being sensitive to language differences in written communication
- Finding reasonable meeting times across time zones
Technology and Collaboration
While technology enables global collaboration, its effectiveness depends on team members’ willingness to share knowledge and resources. Taboada notes that internal politics and remuneration structures can sometimes hinder optimal collaboration, even within the same firm or brand.
Building Long-term Relationships
Success in international legal work often depends on relationship building. “Everything is very circular in this legal community,” Taboada explains. “We will all meet each other at some stage somewhere else.” Lawyers who demonstrate collaborative approaches tend to build stronger reputations and find greater success in partnership trajectories.
Looking Forward
For lawyers at all levels, the ability to work effectively across borders is increasingly essential. The most successful practitioners demonstrate:
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
- Strong project management skills
- Willingness to embrace different working styles
- Commitment to clear communication
- Understanding of local market contexts
As Taboada concludes, the higher value work increasingly comes from international clients, making these skills crucial for career advancement in modern legal practice. Success requires not just legal expertise, but the ability to navigate complex international relationships while maintaining focus on client service.
