The Life of a Travelling DR Partner

2024 was a year of incredible journeys, both professionally and personally. From the sunny beaches of Tenerife to the bustling streets of Dubai, each trip brought new insights and unforgettable experiences. Ready for Santa Claus? I thought it was over. But January 2025 already shows a Luxembourg court hearing at the Court of Justice of the European Union #CJEU and a trip to #Stockholm on 23-24 January 2025 in Stockholm and at the “SCC Afterwork, Wine or not?” So, I guess, the race continues.

2024 was mad:

January started with a relaxing vacation in Tenerife with friends and my daughter, Emma. The island's climate and culinary delights, especially at #SanHo restaurant, were a perfect start to the year. ?????

In February, I travelled to Strasbourg for a meeting related to a procurement project of an EU institution. It has been an honor to collaborate with top professionals from diverse backgrounds for 2024. The race continues. Finding the #Lufthansa bus in Frankfurt is still a struggle. Later, I visited Vilnius to align goals with our partners at Sorainen, followed by a trip to Geneva to discuss arbitration and sports law with the local market leaders. ????

April was a mix of work and leisure. My wife and I explored South Korea, a country that surprised us with its vibrant culture and excellent cuisine. Despite some language barriers, the experience was enriching. It was a shock that even the top hotels are struggling with English ?????? It was also a surprise that they use solar-powered flashing "police lights" to discipline the traffic. Is that not the wrong signal to send - if you see the police, be afraid :)

May included a memorable trip to London for an old friend's milestone birthday and professional meetings. There is something enchanting with older colleagues and their war stories and class. Shortly after, I headed to Brussels to discuss the Baltic states' role in shaping EU legislation. ?????? Brussels is as dynamic as ever.

July was all about music and adventure in Bratislava for an AC/DC concert with my brothers. It was a thrilling experience, and I discovered the city's proximity to Vienna. ????Why is this important? Because there are plenty of flights to and from Vienna, so it is easy to get to Bratislava and explore.

August was packed with events. I attended Sorainen's summer days at Vilnius Grand Resort, a fantastic team-building event. Later, I traveled to Lisbon for a friend's wedding, which was a beautiful celebration of love and joy. ??????

September took me to Baku for a workation with Sorainen's team. The city's dynamic legal market and culinary delights, especially pomegranate-infused dishes, were highlights. From Baku, I flew to Vilnius for Arbitration Days, where I had the opportunity to speak on the importance of fewer regulations in arbitration. ?????

October was busy with two trips to Dubai. One was a family vacation, and the other was a unique opportunity to meet top public procurement lawyers and give a lecture at Umm Al Quwain University. Dubai's legal market is impressive, and the city offers great family activities, despite the rising costs and high temperatures. ?????It is certiainly a hub to keep an eye on - and since #DIAC arbitration center accepted me on their list of arbitrators, I hope to visit it more often - for business and pleasure. I still struggle with temperatures over 35 degrees, so having returned to #Estonia, I understood that our country is air-conditioned by God 12 months per year. So, it is only Russia as a neighbor that is causing uncertainty about our living conditions :)

Later in October, I attended Sorainen partners annual strategy meeting in Barcelona. Despite a security incident having to chase down a Moroccan who was trying to take off with my bag, the meeting was productive, and I managed to squeeze in some jogging. ??♂? I am still confused, how can the situation with crime be so bad in #Barcelona and yet, #Madrid, which I visited some months later, is one of the safest cities in Europe. How can thieves safely operate in the Barcelona airport with all the cameras?

November was a mix of relaxation and work. I spent a week in Nice and the South of France, enjoying golf and leisure time. I also took my vintage #ZAZ965 for a spin in Monte Carlo. It is a 1968 and has been with me since I was 17. The month ended with a trip to London for an international arbitration case, followed by a conference in Madrid on asset recovery. ??????

December wrapped up the year with a trip to Madrid for the 2nd Annual IBA Asset Recovery Conference. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss debt recovery from fraudsters and reconnect with old friends. ?????? It is quite a community - and what is good with litigators - they also know their wine.

Reflecting on 2024, it was a truly exhausting yet rewarding year filled with meaningful work, new friendships, and rich experiences. I'm excited to see where 2025 will take me and look forward to sharing a glass of wine with you along the way. ??On top of all this travelling - we were successful in our arbitrations, litigations, making new friends, learning - and, thankfully also it all reflected positively on our bottom line.

So, enjoy your Christmas and get ready for the race that is coming. What did you learn from your travels in 2024?