18TH TERRALEX AGM HOSTED IN CAPE TOWN 17-21 SEPTEMBER
31-Oct-2008

Fairbridges was privileged to host the 18th Annual General Meeting of TerraLex, the international network of independent law firms comprising more than 16,000 attorneys in more than 100 countries, in Cape Town during September 2008. Fairbridges is the South African member. Mayor Helen Zille welcomed delegates and guests to the conference workshops, including intensive sessions dealing with diversity and corruption around the world. A packed social program showcased the many attractions of the Mother City and the Western Cape, culminating in a gala dinner at Cape Town Castle where entertainment included a marimba band, a magnificent local African choir and the firing of antique muzzle loaders.

"This was an excellent opportunity for us to further strengthen our relationships with colleagues in other TerraLex member firms," said Fairbridges Managing Partner Dick Cheeseman. "The links we have established with these top quality global firms have proved of immense benefit to our clients and the achievement of our strategic objectives."

Many of the visiting lawyers will be returning to South African shores for 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Feedback from delegates:

• Jacqui Kiviat, TerraLex Executive Director:
  
  "On behalf of our staff, let me say what a pleasure it has been to work with you on the AGM. Please also offer our sincere thanks to everyone at Fairbridges.
  
  You and your colleagues have set a new standard as hosts of the TerraLex Annual General Meeting. The result was positive feedback all around. We met many of the attorneys, their spouses, and staff of Fairbridges at some point during the registration, business sessions or social program. This was hosting in the truest sense of the word and we offer our thanks for these special efforts. They made all the difference in how welcome and positive our members and guests felt throughout the AGM. Please extend our sincere thanks to everyone at Fairbridges."
  
  
  
• Bertil Brinck, Sweden:
  
  "Thank you very much for a truly well organised and very fun AGM in Cape Town. It became a nice memory to remember for the future.
  
  
  
• Dr Max Roesle, Switzerland:
  
  "I thank you so much for having organised a wonderful TerraLex meeting in Cape Town. Our thanks go to you as well as to all the members of Fairbridges who have contributed to the success of the annual meeting of TerraLex in South Africa. Many of the participants left your country with a much more positive impression than they anticipated. The meeting was perfectly organised and interesting sessions were held. You made it possible that the members of TerraLex felt like being one big worldwide family. Apart from the legal events the social program was also outstanding and we enjoyed in particular the trip to the Cape of Good Hope and the evening out in the tent with entertaining local music. I know that you promised to us already two years ago that we will have a good time in Cape Town and you did not only fulfil your promise but you also surpassed our expectations."
  
  
  
• Harry Truehart, New York:
  
  "Now that I am back from the winelands, safari and other delights in South Africa, I want to thank you and your partners and staff for all the hard work and imagination that went into showing us all a wonderful time. You have done an outstanding job on arrangements. It was truly an exceptional experience – a lifetime experience. Well done!!"
  
  
  
• Brahm Gelfand, Canada:
  
  "I must say that the stay in your beautiful city was memorable. The TerraLex events were absolutely superb and the tours I participated in were delightful and interesting. I want to thank you and the partners and staff of Fairbridges for making our visit so marvellous."
  
  
  
• Adrian Odell, Channel Islands:
  
  "Thank you for being such great hosts for the recent TerraLex event in Cape Town. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting each of you, and was impressed by the friendly and welcoming culture of your firm, which I think was evident to all who attended (it is also consistent with the rich heritage of your firm which is so nicely reflected in the book which you presented to all of us). I was also very encouraged by life and business in your vibrant city, Cape Town."
  
  
  
• Enrique de Alba, Panama:
  
  "Having returned to Panama, the first thing that I committed myself to do, was to express my gratefulness for all the attentions received from your colleagues at Fairbridges which contributed to put in place on of the most memorable Annual General Meetings that I have ever attended. Thanks again for all the courtesy extended to my wife and myself and to all our TerraLex colleagues."
  
  
  
• Jake Lutz, Virginia USA:
  
  "Thanks for your friendship and some of the greatest memories of our lives!"
  
  
  
• Bob Steptoe, West Virginia USA:
  
  "Thanks again to you and to Fairbridges for making the TerraLex meeting a most memorable event. The local tours were terrific, and it is readily apparent why so many people throughout the world enjoy vacations in the Cape Town area. Please convey our appreciation to your partners and colleagues whose hospitality was first rate."
  
  
  
• Bill Levit, Wisconsin USA:
  
  "I want to thank you and your colleagues and staff for putting on a really terrific AGM. It was outstanding."
  
  
  
• Dr Dezso Perlaki, Hungary:
  
  "I thank you for this beautiful event and for the excellent program."
  
  
  
• Masatoshi Ohara, Japan:
  
  "Thank you very much for everything you have done for me during my stay in Cape Town. It was really good and irreplaceable time for me. I enjoyed playing golf with you which was an unforgettable experience for me. Thank you again for your kind hospitality given to us."
  
  
  
• Abimbola Williams, Nigeria:
  
  "I write on behalf of my colleagues and myself to thank you and all your colleagues for your hospitality, thoughtfulness and excellent arrangements for the TerraLex AGM. We had a very pleasant stay in Cape Town and easy access to all the well arranged sessions on the different topics. You have done very well in undertaking all the necessary preparations resulting in a very successful conference. It was good to see many friends and to meet new members. Well done."
  
  
  
• Nick Chen, Taiwan:
  
  "Just back to Taipei and still glowing from my visit to your lovely country. I am very impressed with the incredible effort and care exhibited by your entire team. From the meals to the reception at the office in every little detail. As one who has done a TerraLex meeting, I really appreciate it very much. I loved the visit to Cape Point and was mesmerised by the view and the fresh air off the Southern Ocean. I have been telling everyone to visit and how it changes the soul. I have always been a fan of Africa and South Africa in particular and have fallen in love with her anew. The soul of Africa is something magical. No matter the challenges it is all OK."
  
  
  
• Eric Zalud, Ohio USA:
  
  "Many thanks for a spectacular time! You were a great host, your colleagues were wonderful and the Mother City lived up to its deserved reputation. A grand time was had by all!"
  
  
  
• Fernando Pinheiro, Brazil:
  
  "Congratulations for the wonderful event we had in Cape Town. It was a great opportunity to meet our colleagues of TerraLex, particularly the Fairbridges attorneys and their families, and all its staff, and experience a little bit of the 'mother land'. I really enjoyed being in South Africa and certainly intend to come back. Please extend to all at Fairbridges our sincere thanks and warmest congratulations."
  
  
  
• Yaacov Yisraeli, Israel:
  
  "Congratulations to you and to the entire staff of Fairbridges for a job well done. It was just great."
  
  
  
• Tammie Ptacek, Minnesota USA:
  
  "It really was a great meeting and a wonderful experience! Thanks again to you and your firm."
  
  
  
• Tim Brown, England:
  
  "First of all thanks to everyone at Fairbridges for such an excellent AGM. The whole event went like clockwork and the sessions were really good. We had a great time and will remember Cape Town for a long time."
  
  
  
• Surinder Deal, Bahamas:
  
  "I wanted very much to thank you and your colleagues for hosting the TerraLex AGM – it was one of the best! It had just the right mix of business and pleasure. It was a great pleasure also to meet so many of your colleagues. It was also good to see that many of the other African firms sent representatives to the meeting. I know that you and your colleagues expended a great deal of time and effort in organising the meeting but it all bore fruit in such a successful meeting. Congratulations and thanks!"
  
  
  
• Tom McNeill, Georgia USA:
  
  "I am now "almost" recovered from what was a once in a lifetime experience in South Africa. Your hospitality, planning, leadership and creativity made the Cape Town AGM spectacular. Not only did we have a great time, but that sentiment was universally expressed by others with whom we came in contact over the course of the trip. Thank you again for everything."
  
  
  
• Dan Allred, Utah USA:
  
  "What a stunning annual meeting you put on in Cape Town! I can't tell you how much we enjoyed it. The company was excellent, the meetings interesting and Cape Town and the nearby areas we were taken to were simply beautiful. Thank you so much for your great effort on everything. I vote that TerraLex schedule another meeting in Cape Town!"
  
  
  
• Jay K. Lee, Korea:
  
  "I would like to thank you very much for organising such a wonderful annual meeting, combined with information, connectivity and fun."
  
  
  
• Cindy Allner, Maryland USA:
  
  "I wanted to express my personal appreciation for the tremendous effort you expended in hosting what by any account was one of the best ever TerraLex meetings. The warmth, hospitality and genuine enthusiasm with which you approached the meeting was apparent to all of the delegates and that spirit pervaded throughout. We thoroughly enjoyed your beautiful country. For those of us who went on safari, it was a life-changing experience. Many, many thanks."
  
  
  
• James Musgrove, Canada:
  
  "Thank you for being such great hosts! You showed us such a wonderful time in Cape Town. We want to thank you and all of your colleagues so much for making us very very welcome and at home in your city. It was a tremendous experience. We know that it was a great deal of work for you but we and as far as I can tell everyone I spoke to greatly enjoyed their stay with you and much appreciated all your tremendous hospitality. Once again congratulations on a fantastic meeting."
  
  
  
• Floris Coetzee, Namibia:
  
  "Thank you very much for hosting the AGM and for the excellent program. Fairbridges have done an excellent job and we, and I'm sure everybody else really enjoyed it."
  
  
  
• Charles McCallum, Michigan USA, Chairman of TerraLex:
  
  "Thanks for hosting a very successful AGM in Cape Town. Please pass on to your partners, associates and staff our sincere appreciation for Fairbridges putting on such a good show. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to meet and get to know your colleagues in both business and social settings. They are accomplished ambassadors for your firm. I especially appreciate your hands-on personal involvement in organising and overseeing the meeting. You have defined the standard for the host firm role – active involvement at all stages of planning, top level lawyer engagement, taking the initiative as to on-the-ground issues but with full respect for TerraLex meeting goals and policies, and always responsive, resourceful, practical, and accommodating."
  
  

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