Global warming.

• Author: Darling, Nathan
• Position: PRESIDENT'S PODIUM

Amidst landscape-altering international events, the global community of law firm marketing, business development and client service professionals is poised to thrive.

In the two weeks before penning this column, England changed prime ministers, President Obama hosted Mexican President Calderon for a state visit with polarizing immigration issues front and center, anti-government demonstrations erupted in Greece and Thailand, and north and South Korea engaged in brinksmanship not seen since the 1950s.

These and many other events are evidence that, while economies may be recovering in some areas, the world at-large continues a turbulent evolution whose current stages are likely to continue for some time.

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Geopolitical issues of energy security, military strength, national sovereignty, environmental responsibility, technology adoption, freedom of information and others will continue to spin of myriad legal and policy issues. These issues will be debated and litigated in international fora; by country, provincial or local governments; and with the influence of capital markets and non-governmental organizations.

These are not easy times, but they are exciting times. As a macro-level trend, the existence and applicability (or lack thereof) of law and regulation on these issues from jurisdiction to jurisdiction should translate into significant work for law practices worldwide. Whether in world political and financial capitals or elsewhere, legal marketing and client development professionals are ideally positioned to connect their firms' services with client needs.

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