Law firms have their rainmakers. At The American Lawyer we have idea-generators. Whether it’s an editor, senior writer, or even a junior reporter, we value colleagues who come up with big-picture ideas for stories or projects that other writers can leverage. Senior international correspondent Michael D. Goldhaber is one of those rare people. A 15-year-veteran of ALM who has covered everything from associate life to human rights, Michael is an altruistic idea machine. Whether he’s suggesting that a reporter look into unfunded law firm pensions (“A Heavy Burden,” March 2012) or that we track pro bono hours overseas (consider yourself warned), we appreciate Michael’s wide-ranging interests and generosity.
His latest brainchild is the inaugural Global Legal Awards. These new awards honor the best cross-border legal work in M&A, finance, disputes, and citizenship. Most importantly—and this was Michael’s insight from covering international legal issues for so long—they honor the teams involved on both sides of a matter (where appropriate). We’re not just celebrating one jet-setting practitioner, but everyone who was involved in completing a transaction or righting a social wrong, from the general counsel to the local firms.
