We had the pleasure of hosting a special reception on 9 July 2024, at the Tel Aviv residence of the British Ambassador to Israel, to mark the firm's increasing support and presence in the Israeli market.
With over 130 guests, including 10 partners and senior managers from our firm and a talented jazz trio playing in the background, it was an evening full of meaningful connections and valuable conversations with clients and new contacts.
The British Ambassador, Mr. Simon Walters, welcomed everyone and spoke about the strong relationship between the UK and Israel. The Ambassador said that as two of the most innovative and dynamic economies in the world – both in the top 15 of the Global Innovation Index – the opportunities of the future will come from sectors in which both countries excel, such as law, technology, research and science. The Ambassador continued to express his confidence that Mishcon de Reya will contribute to UK-Israel relations and trade, and no doubt that the firm will continue to take on the most high-profile and important cases.
James Libson, the firm's managing partner also took the opportunity to address the crowd, sharing his thoughts and feelings on the firm's relationship with Israel, and the future ahead:
"My firm's storied relationship with the Jewish community and the Jewish state is long and unique: Our founder Lord Mishcon effected the introduction between Shimon Peres and King Hussein that, in the end, led to the peace agreement between Israel and Jordan. From our present, is the work my partners Adam Rose and Katy Colton have been doing for the hostages and their families who have British connections. Nothing we have done during my 30 plus years at the firm has made me prouder.
I mention these two matters to show how connected we feel to this country. As lawyers committed to the rule of law who brought the two most important constitutional cases against the overreach of executive power in the UK, we have watched some of the developments of the last few years here with concerns and will continue to argue for the checks and balances required in a functioning democracy – especially in our increasingly turbulent world. As Jews, and as non-Jewish friends we have watched and experienced the agonies of the last nine months with grief in our hearts mixed with fear and bewilderment, but with a commitment to try to play our small part and deploy our networks to build a better and more secure future for this country, all its citizens and all of its neighbours.
Which is why we are here today. It is a tiny thing – and virtually nothing in the context of what each person here has gone through and will continue to have to deal with for years to come, but, if our history has shown us anything, it is that small contributions can have big impacts I hope our commitment to Israel, its system of law, its people, its economy, its democracy and our wonderful colleagues can be seen as an expression of optimism in these darkest of days and, with that wish, thank Simon once again for his hospitality and invite everyone to enjoy the evening."
Considering the long-standing relationship Mishcon de Reya has with Israel, this is not "the beginning of a beautiful friendship," but rather another step forward in the valuable relationships we are cultivating together.
A big thank you to the British Ambassador for hosting us, and to the many guests that joined —it was truly a night to remember.