35 Years of Leadership: Beth Castro
Beth Castro
World Law Group
Executive Director
What led you to World Law Group?
In 2002, I was moving from Virginia to Illinois. At the time, I worked at a large consulting company, and a coworker told me about a friend in Chicago who was looking for a replacement for a job she was leaving. I applied, and the rest is history. Perhaps the more important question is why I've stayed. I have been incredibly enriched by being able to work with and get to know top-tier legal practitioners and professionals from all over the world (and some of their families). Through our many groups, committees, and forums, I have also learned so much about many topics to which I never would have been exposed otherwise. I have also had the pleasure of working with great staff team members through the years who have challenged me professionally and supported me personally.
What has been the most meaningful accomplishment during your time as a staff member of WLG?
There are many, but two jump out to me. The first would have to be receiving the Kemmler Award in 2019. Given only 11 times in our 35-year history, the award is WLG's highest honor in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the network. That award is extremely meaningful to me because it was a validation of my hard work and commitment to the organization by those for whom and with whom I work. The other thing that comes to mind is successfully working with 12 different presidents and their boards. It is a unique challenge to report to new leadership every two years and I believe that I, and the rest of the staff team, have managed those changes quite deftly.
While working alongside the Board, the Membership Committee and Key Contact Partners, what have you learned about the value of WLG to members?
Able to see the big picture of network activity, I see firsthand the success of the law firms and individual lawyers and professionals who become enmeshed in and take advantage of the opportunities WLG provides. WLG is a network of opportunities. We provide platforms for member firm lawyers and professionals to build their international networks, be aware of cross-border business opportunities, learn from others' best practices, become more knowledgeable about global issues and laws impacting their clients, and more. Those institutions and individuals that lean into the opportunities WLG provides are handsomely rewarded. I also note that while inbound referrals are often seen as the bellwether of success, those who glean the most from network membership know that the value in serving one's clients globally is equally, if not more, important.
What is your advice to lawyers and professionals who want to get more involved or take on a leadership position in the WLG network?
Leadership takes on many forms and we are always looking for interested and committed lawyers and professionals to get more involved in network activities. Show up to WLG activities, participate, and volunteer. Reach out directly to the WLG Staff Team and other leaders to express your interest and offer ideas. Involvement in network leadership helps improve one's technical knowledge, soft skills, relationships with WLG colleagues, and business development opportunities.
As we reflect upon our growth during our 35th anniversary, tell us about the changes you've seen in the network during the years you have been involved and what leads you to believe our best days are ahead of us.
Over the past 35 years, WLG has had 19 presidents at the helm, each of whom has put their own mark on the organization. The complementary skills of our growing staff team have helped continually raise the level of sophistication and professionalism in all that we do. While the size of the network has grown, both in terms of the number of top-tier law firms that are members and the number of participating lawyers and professionals, what has remained constant is our approach to keeping the focus on relationship building, client needs, and business development. I believe this strategy has served WLG well in the past and will continue to be its strength going forward.