Meritas® 2026 Annual General Meeting in New Orleans

Luca Citton, President of Boughton Law and Chair of the Board for Meritas, recently attended the 2026 Meritas Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New Orleans. He was joined by Meritas Emerging Leader and Boughton Law Shareholder Jimmy Burg, and Past Meritas Chairman and Boughton Law Counsel George Cadman, K.C.

Held under the theme “Local Vibes. Global Vision. Finding Our Rhythm in New Orleans,” and hosted by member firm Liskow, the AGM brought together 318 attendees from 123 firms across 46 countries, underscoring the scale and connectivity of the Meritas network.

The meeting focused on how firms can better support clients navigating an increasingly complex global environment, with an emphasis on business generation, cross-border collaboration, and practical strategies for delivering value.

Responding to a Changing Global Landscape

The AGM opened with a keynote from former NATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder, who examined how geopolitical and economic shifts are shaping business risk and opportunity.

“As global dynamics continue to evolve, clients are looking for practical, forward-looking guidance that helps them navigate risk and identify opportunity,” said Citton.

A second keynote from Kim Mulkey focused on leadership and team performance, reinforcing the importance of strong communication and accountability within professional services organizations.

Strengthening Business Generation and Collaboration

A central theme of this year’s AGM was Meritas’ strategic focus on business generation. Citton joined Meritas President Sona Pancholy to

present “Turning Engagement into Business: Network Update and the Road Ahead,” highlighting how the network is evolving to drive more intentional, measurable referrals and collaboration across member firms.

Citton also moderated “The Not-So-Secret Sauce of Successful Members,” joined by George Cadman, K.C. and other experienced members. The session explored how active participation in Meritas translates into meaningful opportunities, offering practical insight into building relationships, increasing visibility, and generating cross-border work.

Delivering Value to Clients Through Global Reach

        Programming throughout the AGM addressed key issues shaping the legal

industry, including cybersecurity preparedness, talent development, and emerging global investment trends, alongside regional discussions on cross-border opportunities.

For clients, the value of Meritas lies in its ability to connect trusted local counsel across jurisdictions while maintaining a high standard of service and responsiveness.

“Our clients are increasingly operating in multi-jurisdictional environments and facing more complex challenges,” said Citton. “Through Meritas, we are

able to provide them with trusted access to high-quality counsel worldwide, while maintaining the responsiveness and accountability of a local advisor.”

For more information about Meritas®, please visit their website.