League of Lawyers Launches Its Inaugural International Secondment Programme
The League of Lawyers (LoL) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its inaugural international secondment programme, marking an important milestone in strengthening collaboration between member firms.
The pilot programme brought together MahWengKwai & Associates (Malaysia) and KLB Legal (Czechia), with Mr Ondřej Kučera of KLB Legal spending three weeks at MWKA’s Kuala Lumpur office. Prior to the secondment, Mr Kučera also attended the 38th LAWASIA Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, providing valuable exposure to the wider Asia-Pacific legal community.
Unlike conferences and networking events, which allow members to establish professional connections, the LoL Secondment Programme is designed to provide a far deeper level of collaboration by enabling lawyers to work alongside one another within their host firms. Through daily interaction, participants gain first-hand insight into another firm’s legal practice, business operations, client service philosophy and organisational culture, while building lasting professional relationships that extend well beyond the duration of the programme.
Programme Highlights
During the secondment, Mr Kučera was fully integrated into MWKA’s day-to-day operations, working closely with partners, associates and the wider team across a broad range of activities, including:
- attending client meetings and court hearings;
- participating in site visits and matter discussions;
- assisting with drafting and document review;
- gaining practical exposure to Malaysian legal practice, including Corporate & Mergers and Acquisitions, Conveyancing and Corporate Litigation;
- participating in internal knowledge-sharing sessions and discussions on legal operations, business development and the practical application of artificial intelligence in legal practice;
- engaging with law students and aspiring lawyers; and
- contributing a European Union law perspective during client webinars on sustainability and regulatory developments.
Beyond legal practice, the programme also provided extensive opportunities for business development and networking throughout the Asia-Pacific region, reinforcing the importance of strong personal relationships in delivering effective cross-border legal services.
Creating Value Through Collaboration
The secondment demonstrated how meaningful collaboration between member firms can create value that extends well beyond professional development.
Working together in the same office enabled both firms to develop a much deeper understanding of each other’s expertise, client base, working practices and market position. This stronger foundation of trust and familiarity is expected to facilitate future referrals, joint client engagements and cross-border legal collaboration.
One tangible outcome of the programme has been the establishment of KLB Legal’s Asian Desk, reflecting the closer relationships developed during the secondment and the continuing discussions between the firms regarding future opportunities throughout the region.
For clients, initiatives such as these strengthen the LoL network by fostering genuine working relationships between member firms. Rather than simply knowing one another through conferences, LoL lawyers gain practical experience working alongside trusted colleagues in different jurisdictions, enabling them to better understand local legal systems, business practices and client expectations when advising on cross-border matters.
A Personal Reflection
Reflecting on his experience, Mr Kučera observed that one of the greatest strengths of the programme was the opportunity to work alongside colleagues on a daily basis.
“Sharing one workspace created a much deeper understanding of each firm’s capabilities, client base and market position than could ever be achieved through conferences or online meetings alone.”
He also remarked that the phrase “Malaysian hospitality” proved to be much more than a marketing slogan.
“From the very first day of the programme, I felt genuinely welcomed by the MWKA team, which helped me settle in almost immediately.”
Looking Ahead
The success of this inaugural secondment demonstrates the League of Lawyers’ commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration between member firms.
As LoL continues to expand its international network, the Secondment Programme represents another important member benefit that strengthens professional relationships, facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience, and supports the development of trusted cross-border referral networks.
The League looks forward to expanding the programme in the years ahead and providing more opportunities for lawyers from member firms to work, learn and grow together across jurisdictions.
