Is money the cure for everything? Why can't a partner be a freeloader? Is a lawyer there for the company or is the company there for the lawyer? The country’s leading lawyers searched for the answers, argued and at times even agreed with each other on these eternal questions within the framework of the “fireplace” session at the 12th International Law Firm Management Conference.

The sight, judging by the photo, was slightly infernal, but the discussion did turn out to be interesting. Let’s dramatize and quote our speaker:

“We will soon need to hire criminal law specialists, as well as loggers and canal diggers, and then master these professions ourselves, if the country's economy reaches a dead end, and the battle for financial resources finally goes beyond the law,” Vladislav Zabrodin, Managing Partner of Capital Legal Services, believes. “And only in case of a positive scenario, can it be expected that law firms and the market will be in need of experts in technological processes, as well as specialists with good soft skills that can withstand competition with artificial intelligence. After all, AI will automate routine legal tasks very soon,” he says.

How can a lawyer who is aware of his worth be attracted into a company today, before AI buries the profession?

With interesting projects, new challenges, and broader powers. And also with freedom and independence, Zabrodin is convinced. “There is no ideal leader; only a management team with different, but equally strong competencies can be close to ideal. Now this trend is only increasing. The real success is in diversity.”

Vladislav knows what he is talking about. After all, he at a certain point created a major law institute with several partners from his personal firm. Zabrodin had to deliberately reduce the leader's control, and now he is twisting and turning while trying to maintain, at least to a small extent, the “level of tyranny,” as he jokes, which allowed him to be ahead of competitors and to raise the company to the top of international legal ratings.

That is why Capital Legal Services now holds leading positions in the supercompetitive legal services market, and while growing, it is able to invite professionals to join its team who are smart, positive, modern, truly passionate about their work, and share common values and principles.