AUSTIN, Texas – Jackson Walker is hosting the 2026 Globalaw Annual Members Meeting, taking place October 28-31 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin. The gathering brings together lawyers and law firm leaders from Globalaw member firms around the world for substantive programming on the issues shaping cross-border business and legal risk, along with networking events that showcases the hospitality and culture of Texas.
This year’s program reflects the increasingly interconnected and complex environment in which clients operate. Sessions will explore how companies and investors are navigating growth in Latin America, what makes infrastructure projects viable and investable across jurisdictions, how rising energy demand is reshaping global markets, and how boards make jurisdictional and operational decisions in an evolving regulatory landscape.
“It is our great pleasure to welcome our Globalaw colleagues to Austin,” said Wade Cooper, firmwide managing partner of Jackson Walker. “At Jackson Walker, we believe that strong relationships are at the heart of every successful legal network, and it is those relationships that we hope to deepen during our time together. We are proud to share our home state and to offer a glimpse of the hospitality, culture, and dynamism that define Texas.”
Keynote and Featured Speakers
The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, former United States Senator and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, will take part in a fireside chat sharing perspectives on leadership and policy. The Honorable Nathan L. Hecht, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, will moderate a panel on managing investigation and arbitration risk when cross-border deals turn contentious. Global business leaders from the investment, infrastructure, and energy sectors will also join the discussions.
Program Highlights
- Doing Business in Latin America, moderated by Jackson Walker partner Carlos Treviño
- From Capital to Concrete: What Makes Infrastructure Projects Investable — Anywhere, moderated by Jackson Walker partner Marilyn Brown and featuring Jackson Walker partner Lynn Sherman
- Powering What Comes Next: Energy Demand, Capital, and Opportunity in a Data-Driven World, moderated by Jackson Walker partner Michael Nasi
- Who Will Lead the Firm in 2040? What Tomorrow’s Lawyers Need from Today’s Law Firm Leaders, moderated by Globalaw Executive Director Ángela López Molina and featuring Jackson Walker associate Victoria Morris
- Boardroom Reality: Governance, Risk and Operating at Global Scale, moderated by Jackson Walker partner Emily Leitch
- When Cross-Border Deals Turn Contentious: Investigations, Arbitration & Risk Management, featuring Jackson Walker partner Juan Alcala
- AI as Legal Infrastructure: Practical Uses from Deals to Disputes, moderated by Jackson Walker chief innovation officer Greg Lambert
The meeting will also feature an interactive workshop facilitated by David Ackert of PipelinePlus, adapting principles from his book “The Short List” to help member firms deepen relationships and uncover cross-border collaboration opportunities. A parallel business development program for early-career Globalaw lawyers will be led by Jackson Walker regional business development managers Deaundra Braden and Michel Mullett. Wade will deliver opening remarks alongside Globalaw president Peter Brown.
Beyond the meeting room, attendees will experience Austin through a Hill Country welcome reception at Birkeland Ranch, a Central Texas barbecue dinner with two-step lessons, a Texas-style gala with live music at Rock House, and a University of Texas at Austin gameday tailgate.
About Globalaw
Founded in 1994, Globalaw is a Chambers Global Band 1 Leading Law Firm Network comprising approximately 80 independent law firms and over 4,000 lawyers in nearly 60 countries. Globalaw is a non-profit legal association recognized for its commitment to excellence, global reach, and innovative approach to legal services. Learn more at www.globalaw.net.
About Jackson Walker
Since 1887, Jackson Walker has represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas while serving clients around the globe. With more than 500 attorneys, we are one of the largest law firms in Texas. Jackson Walker consistently ranks among the leading firms in Chambers and Partners, Best Law Firms® by Best Lawyers, and as a BTI Client Service A-Team based on feedback from corporate counsel. For more information, visit jw.com.