MIS Legal Joins IR Global's Annual Conference in Lisbon

09 November 2026

Quick answer: MIS Legal's Managing Partner, Stephanie Mouanes, represented the firm for the first time at IR Global's 2026 Annual Conference in Lisbon (11 to 13 October 2026), themed "Architects of the Future." The conference strengthens MIS Legal's international network, giving clients with cross-border needs across the UAE and GCC access to a wider pool of trusted, vetted advisors in other jurisdictions.

Introduction

Three days of international exchange, forward-thinking discussions and new professional connections brought MIS Legal's Managing Partner, Stephanie Mouanes, to Lisbon for IR Global's 2026 Annual Conference, "Architects of the Future".
From 11 to 13 October 2026, legal and professional advisors from across the world gathered in Lisbon, Portugal, for IR Global's Annual Conference. Under the theme "Architects of the Future," the event explored how professional services firms can anticipate change, embrace innovation and build the relationships needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. For MIS Legal Consultants, the conference marked an important milestone: the firm's first participation in an IR Global Annual Conference, represented by its Managing Partner, Stephanie Mouanes.

The occasion offered an opportunity not only to connect with an international community of independent legal and professional advisory firms, but also to exchange perspectives on the evolving legal landscape and explore new opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

Key Highlights

• IR Global's 2026 Annual Conference ran 11 to 13 October in Lisbon, Portugal, under the theme "Architects of the Future"
  
• This was MIS Legal's first participation in an IR Global Annual Conference
  
• Sessions covered AI in legal practice, founder-to-architect leadership transitions and Portugal's market outlook
  
• Stephanie Mouanes joined the Middle East & Africa working lunch on regional priorities for the MENA network
  
• The conference expands MIS Legal's access to a trusted international network of independent advisors
  

Building the Future of Professional Services

The conference's central theme, "Architects of the Future," reflected the transformations taking place across the legal and professional services sectors.
From technological innovation and artificial intelligence to leadership, business development and international cooperation, the discussions addressed a fundamental question: how can professional firms adapt today to remain relevant, competitive and effective tomorrow?
For law firms in particular, this evolution extends beyond adopting new technologies. It requires a broader vision of how legal services are delivered, how teams are developed, how client relationships are built and how firms position themselves within an increasingly global professional environment.
These themes provided a valuable context for Stephanie Mouanes' participation, particularly as MIS Legal continues to develop its international relationships and strengthen its ability to support clients across the UAE, the GCC and beyond.

Rethinking Leadership and the Future of Law Firms

The second day of the conference focused on how professional firms grow, evolve and prepare for the future.
Among the sessions attended by Stephanie Mouanes was John R. Kormanik's workshop, "From Operator to Architect: The Founder's Evolution in Scaling a Firm". The session explored the changing role of founders as their organizations develop, highlighting the transition from managing day-to-day operations towards building the structures, strategies and leadership capabilities that enable sustainable growth.
For independent professional firms, this evolution is particularly relevant. Growth requires more than technical expertise; it calls for strategic thinking, effective delegation and the ability to create an organisation capable of adapting to changing client expectations and market conditions.
The programme also addressed one of the most significant developments currently transforming the legal profession: artificial intelligence.
Greg Siskind and Jason Susser examined practical applications of AI in legal practice and the steps firms can take to prepare for an increasingly technology-driven environment.
The discussion formed part of a wider conversation about how AI is changing professional workflows, legal research and the delivery of services. As technology continues to reshape the profession, law firms must consider not only the opportunities it creates but also the importance of responsible implementation, professional judgement and maintaining the human dimension of legal advice.
The following day, Richard Susskind's keynote, "AI and the Future of the Professions," further explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on professional services, bringing a broader perspective to the discussions initiated during the previous day's sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IR Global?

IR Global is an international network of independent legal and professional advisory firms. It connects firms with jurisdiction-specific expertise so members can exchange knowledge and support clients with cross-border needs.

Who represented MIS Legal at the 2026 conference?

Stephanie Mouanes, MIS Legal's Managing Partner, attended as the firm's representative at its first IR Global Annual Conference.

Why does this matter for MIS Legal's clients?

It gives MIS Legal access to a wider network of vetted advisors in other jurisdictions, useful for clients in the UAE and GCC whose legal needs extend across borders.

What was the theme of IR Global's 2026 Annual Conference?

"Architects of the Future," focused on how professional services firms can anticipate change, adopt AI responsibly and build the leadership and relationships needed to grow.

Portugal: A Perspective on Stability and Opportunity

The final day opened with a keynote by João Coriel, "Portugal: Stability Meets Opportunity," offering a perspective on Portugal's position as a destination for international business and professional engagement.
The session provided an opportunity to consider the wider economic and business environment in which international professional relationships develop, reinforcing the importance of understanding different markets and identifying opportunities across jurisdictions.
For internationally oriented law firms, these discussions are particularly relevant. Clients increasingly operate across borders, and their legal requirements often extend beyond the jurisdiction in which their businesses are established.
Understanding different markets and maintaining relationships with trusted local advisors are therefore essential elements of effective international legal support.

Strengthening International Relationships Through IR Global

Beyond the conference sessions and keynote presentations, one of the most valuable aspects of the three-day event was the opportunity to connect with independent legal and professional advisors from around the world.
IR Global brings together firms with knowledge of their respective jurisdictions, creating a network through which members can exchange expertise, develop professional relationships and support clients with international requirements.
For MIS Legal, its first participation represented an important step in strengthening its international reach.
As a UAE-based law firm advising clients on matters involving the UAE and the wider GCC, access to a trusted international network offers an additional dimension to the firm's ability to assist clients whose business interests and legal needs extend across multiple jurisdictions.
The conference also provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives with fellow advisors, understand developments in other markets and identify areas for future cooperation.
These opportunities for personal interaction are an important part of international professional networks. Beyond formal presentations and business discussions, lasting professional relationships are often built through direct exchanges, shared experiences and an understanding of how colleagues approach their respective markets.

Contributing to the Middle East & Africa Conversation

An important part of Stephanie Mouanes' participation was the Middle East & Africa working lunch, where she joined fellow regional members and contributed to discussions concerning the group's upcoming plans for the MENA region.
The session provided an opportunity to engage with colleagues on regional priorities and the development of IR Global's activities across the Middle East and Africa.
For MIS Legal, participation in these discussions is particularly relevant given the firm's regional presence and its focus on supporting businesses, investors and individuals navigating the UAE and broader GCC legal environment.
The Middle East continues to attract international business activity, investment and cross-border transactions. In this context, strong professional relationships between regional and international advisors can play an important role in facilitating opportunities and ensuring clients receive coordinated legal support across jurisdictions.

Looking Ahead: Connecting Expertise Across Borders

Three days in Lisbon brought together discussions on leadership, technological transformation, the future of professional services and the importance of international collaboration.
For MIS Legal, the 2026 IR Global Annual Conference was more than an opportunity to attend an international industry event. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in the firm's engagement with a global community of independent legal and professional advisors.
The conversations and connections established in Lisbon reinforce an important principle: in an increasingly interconnected business environment, effective legal support often depends on more than knowledge of a single jurisdiction. It requires access to trusted expertise, an understanding of different markets and the ability to collaborate across borders.
Through its participation in IR Global, MIS Legal looks forward to developing these relationships and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, with the objective of providing clients with informed, connected and internationally oriented legal support.
As the conference theme "Architects of the Future" suggests, shaping the future of professional services is not simply about responding to change. It is about anticipating it, building the right relationships and creating the foundations for sustainable growth.
For MIS Legal, Lisbon was an important step in that direction.