35 Years of Leadership: Martika Jonk, WLG President 2007–2009
Martika Jonk
CMS Netherlands and WLG President 2007–2009
How did you first get involved with WLG, and what led you to take on a leadership position?
In the network's early days, there was a WLG meeting in Utrecht, the Netherlands, with a dinner at the organ museum. This was in 1991. I was a young associate at the time with Derks (now CMS Amsterdam) but already doing international work. I was sitting next to Trevor Nagel, partner with Palmer & Dodge in Boston (now Locke Lord). I explained that I worked for US clients and would really like to understand better where they came from with their questions. Trevor arranged for me to work at Palmer & Dodge as a “foreign legal consultant”, so practically I was one of the first WLG foreign exchange lawyers. That was a tremendously enriching experience, and in spite of not even being a partner at the time, I continued to go to WLG meetings, became a member of the Board, and ultimately the first female President.
People have often asked me whether I have been hindered in my career because I was female. I always responded that I personally did not feel limited by the so-called “glass ceiling”. However, I would counter, there is one thing that I will not ever become, and that is the president of WLG. And then Bob Vineberg proved me wrong by nominating me to be the first female president! I was President from 2007–2009.
What do you believe was the network's most significant accomplishment during your term as president?
I think the Board (and staff!) organized some great meetings, e.g., the 25th anniversary in Athens Greece. And CMS Russia was admitted as a member, not only opening up Russia but also offices in other eastern European countries. It is one of the very unfortunate casualties of the war in Ukraine that our Russian member had to withdraw from the network.
While serving on the Board, what more did you learn about WLG and its value to members?
I learned that you cannot get it right in all cases. As the world has become more and more globalized over the last 35 years, so did law firms. Especially the top-tier law firms that WLG has catered to as members. This has led to several of the larger multinational WLG members setting up offices in the jurisdictions of other WLG members. These conflicts have increased over time. In my opinion, this does not diminish the value of the network for the members. The network works as long as we get it right in most cases. Furthermore, as we need to continue to point out to our own partners: WLG is not just about receiving referrals, but also about being able to serve your clients well abroad, and about becoming a better professional as a result of the contacts within the network.
What is your advice to lawyers, particularly women, who want to get more involved with or take on a leadership position within the WLG network?
Get active in a practice group or during sessions at meetings, make sure you meet as many people as possible during downtime. I recommend anyone to become involved, whether it be virtually or through in-person events. Looking back on my own now 38 years as an attorney, I can say that my involvement in the WLG Board, as President, and later as a member of the Membership Committee, has been one of the most personally and professionally rewarding things of my career.
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.
The strength of the network lies in its people and their personal ties and trust. As long as we continue to meet “live” twice a year, and make full use of the new possibility that virtual meetings give us, the network will flourish. Being able to meet virtually has had a tremendously positive effect. Another very welcome change is the number of female participants. I am happy at every meeting when I count the female participants and note that the numbers have gone up again. If you look at old pictures of the first WLG meetings you will see a mass of gray suits and me as only one of two women in pink. At the last meeting in Dubai, we had 28 female delegates.