Hosted by the legal practice section of the Law Council of Australia, the 2005 World Masters of Law Firm Management conference brings Canadian lawyer Gerry Riskin, managing partner Adam Lewis and the Australian Professional Services Marketing Association’s (APSMA’s) John O’Shea together to address Australian legal professionals and managers.

The theme of the conference, “Building Outstanding Client Relationships” was inspired by what organisers said was a current market trend that indicates companies may reduce their panels of outside legal support.

Riskin, a director of North American consultancy Edge International, is returning to the conference after his presentations at the 2003 event. Riskin, organisers said, is a popular facilitator, teacher and retreat speaker, widely recognised as an expert on managing professional service firms.

Lewis, a director and managing partner of the Australian and New Zealand practices of McKinsey & Company, has for the last few years focused on helping clients undertake transformation projects. Organisers said he is the leading client service partner for one of the major retail banks in Australia, a global metals and mining client, one retailer and a number of industrial clients.

O’Shea is president of APSMA and is the national marketing partner at KPMG Australia. He was previously the marketing manager for the Bank of Melbourne and has worked in the life insurance, funds management and superannuation industries.