With preparations for the 2024 CEE Legal Matters Hungary General Counsel Summit in full swing, Jaslovszky's' Tamas Feher talks about the upcoming event and the panel he'll be moderating.
CEELM: What motivated you to participate in the summit?
Feher: We’ve long admired the work that CEELM does across the region, particularly the events you organize. These gatherings offer an invaluable opportunity to connect with General Counsels, who are a primary focus for us, especially in the context of litigation and dispute resolution.
Beyond networking, it’s also a chance to engage in discussions that typically don't occur in day-to-day legal practice. Our usual conversations are often very specific, centered on particular issues or problems, and tend to be quite legalistic. This summit, and especially the panel we are hosting, will allow us to take a broader view of our work and explore new ways of cooperating with counsels.
CEELM: Why did you choose this specific topic for your panel?
Feher: We enjoy venturing off the beaten path! It’s important for us to continually rethink our approach to the legal profession and, specifically, dispute resolution. The topic we chose—examining the practice of seeking second opinions, setting up mock trials and offering an extra pair of eyes in already ongoing cases —addresses an issue that is pervasive yet seldom discussed. It’s almost a taboo subject. Lawyers are often asked to give second opinions on work that has already been done, and yet there’s a certain reluctance to talk about it openly.
The bottom line is, that our goal is to demystify this practice, to show that (a) it’s okay—everyone does it, (b) there’s a clear rationale behind it, and (c) there’s a lot to be learned and gained from engaging in these activities. We’re taking a leap of faith by discussing it openly and weighing the pros and cons.
CEELM: What excites you most about this upcoming event?
Feher: I’m particularly excited to hear the perspectives of our clients and potential clients on this topic. This isn’t something we’ve previously discussed outside of our firm. We have strong opinions on it, but we’ve never really polled the market or sought out our clients’ thoughts on the matter. I’m eager to hear not only what our fellow panelists will say but also the insights from the audience. Their experiences in this area will be invaluable.
Ultimately, what excites me the most is the possibility of adding value for everyone involved—sharing experiences and perhaps even developing some best practices that all can benefit from.
CEELM: Why should a client consider attending this summit?
Feher: From my end, I’ll be telling clients that this is a wonderful opportunity to meet and exchange ideas in an open and friendly environment! I firmly believe that the atmosphere will be conducive to honest discussions and that alone should be a strong incentive to join us. We’re looking forward to engaging with all attendees and having open conversations that could lead to new insights for everyone involved!
The 2024 CEE Legal Matters Hungary General Counsel Summit is sponsored by Jalsovszky, Oppenheim, Schoenherr, Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper, and PONTES Budapest and is organized in partnership with the Hungarian Corporate Compliance Society. Find out more about the event here or register to attend here.
