Successful Next-Gen IBA Summit in São Paulo: Shaping the Future of Law Firm Management  

The International Bar Association’s Next Generation Legal Summit brought together rising leaders in early September in Sao Paulo to examine how law firm management is evolving and what it means for young lawyers aiming for leadership roles. The session, titled "Building Your Professional Future in a Changing World — A Law Firm Management Perspective," opened with a concise overview of how law firm management structures typically operate—from equity partner governance and management committees to practice group leadership and day-to-day operational roles. This framing set the stage for a central question: do young lawyers today have a realistic path to leadership positions, or is the aspiration still out of reach for many?

Veronica Franco, a partner at Ferrere in Asuncion, Paraguay, and Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Young Lawyers’ Committee, served as Session Chair alongside David Gutierrez of BLP in San Jose, Costa Rica, who is a Member of the Latin American Regional Forum Advisory Board. The conversation featured a panel of distinguished speakers: Andres Aznarez of Posadas in Montevideo, Uruguay, who is the Treasurer of the Young Lawyers’ Committee; Rodrigo Ferreira Figueiredo of Mattos Filho in São Paulo, Brazil, the Vice Chair of the Talent and Leadership Subcommittee; Paula Surerus of Veirano Advogados in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Jose Vivanco of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom in New York, NY, who acts as the North American Regional Forum Liaison Officer for the Young Lawyers’ Committee.

Franco offered a measured reflection on the journey toward leadership in law firms: "Celebrating progress means recognizing where inclusion and opportunity intersect with merit. The next generation will drive meaningful change when we build environments that nurture both capability and voice, across cultures and regions." Her quote underscored the importance of creating pathways that are not only aspirational but also accessible, highlighting mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusive governance as essential levers for advancement.

Throughout the session, the discussion addressed the impact of traditional hierarchical structures on young lawyers’ growth, strategies to retain and empower the next generation of partners, the role of mentorship and sponsorship in career advancement, and regional and cultural barriers to early leadership. The panel emphasized that leadership pathways in large law firms remain complex, but deliberate changes to governance, mentorship, and sponsorship can democratize advancement. Attendees left with a clear takeaway: regional and cultural differences require tailored approaches to leadership development, and a proactive focus on inclusion and structured opportunities can help early-career lawyers move from potential to practice.

The event was followed by the IBA Law Firm Management Committee Conference.

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