The annual assembly of European Legal Network: ELEN took place on 28, 29 and 30 June in Porto, bringing together the managing partners of the network's member firms: Jean-Jacques Duflos, from the Paris and Lyon offices; Vincenzo Carena, from the Turin and Milan offices; Valdemar and Carlos Gonçalves, from the Porto office; José Saad, from the São Paulo office; and José Conesa, Jordi Ligüerre and Josep Conesa, from the Barcelona and Madrid office. Also in attendance were colleagues from those firms, including Manuela Loureiro and Rosário Anjos, along with their respective guests.
The meeting included a review of the matters and clients that have benefited from the ELEN legal network over the past year, with overall results described as satisfactory. Discussion also covered the placement (stage) of Jordi Conesa at the Paris office — the first such exchange to take place between ELEN member firms. Attendees were informed of an upcoming placement in July, during which lawyer Audrey Gauvin from Jean-Jacques Duflos's Lyon office will join Bufete Conesa Asociados in Barcelona. During her stay, in addition to taking part in various legal proceedings, she will deliver a professional seminar on a comparative study of French and Spanish employment law, to be held on 20 July at the Illustrious College of Social Sciences Graduates of Barcelona (Ilustre Colegio de Graduados Sociales de Barcelona).
Another item on the agenda was the publication of the book Being an Entrepreneur in Spain — a guide for businesses looking to establish themselves in Spain, providing a concise overview of the key obligations under employment, tax and commercial law. The network agreed to translate the book into French, Italian and Portuguese, with each translation to be presented in the respective country by the corresponding ELEN member firm.
The ELEN Managing Partners formally admitted SAAD Advocacia, led by lawyer José Saad and based in São Paulo, as an associate firm of ELEN in Brazil. Brazil is one of the fastest-growing economies at present, and a growing number of Spanish and European companies are establishing new business operations there.
Finally, it was agreed that the next annual assembly will be held in Barcelona.
Read More: Annual Assembly of EUROPEAN LEGAL NETWORK: ELEN in Porto
