The voice behind IGAL insider
When IGAL Insider #1 was published in April 2020, the world was standing still.
- Planes had stopped flying.
- Cities were silent.
- Borders were closed.
Yet something new quietly began inside our network. That first issue marked the beginning of what would become one of the most remarkable editorial journeys in IGAL’s history. Seventy-two consecutive editions later, we now turn the page on a chapter that has shaped the way our network communicates, reflects and connects. And behind that chapter stands one person: Michael Djordjevich.
A newsletter born in extraordinary times
The first edition of IGAL Insider appeared at a moment when the global professional community suddenly found itself separated.
- Members could not meet.
- Conferences were cancelled.
- Travel was impossible.
But the need to stay connected had never been stronger. The Insider quickly became more than a newsletter. It became a thread linking the global IGAL community, allowing members to remain informed about each other’s professional lives, legal developments and personal reflections. From the beginning, Mike understood that the publication had to be more than a collection of articles. It had to reflect the personality and diversity of our network. Professional insights, literary reflections, humour, commentary, movie recommendations and stories from members around the world all found their place in its pages.
72 editions, without fail
What makes this achievement truly remarkable is not only the quality of the content but its consistency. For five consecutive years, IGAL Insider was published every single month, without interruption.
- Seventy-two issues.
- Every edition delivered on time.
- Each one carefully assembled, edited and shaped into the format that became familiar to us all.
Behind the scenes, a quiet but relentless routine unfolded month after month.
- Articles were gathered.
- Photos were selected.
- Layouts refined.
And somewhere between continents and time zones, drafts were exchanged in the early hours of the morning. Many members may not know that the final draft of the newsletter often arrived around 1:00 AM European time, before being reviewed and validated a few hours later by Mike, typically around 5:00 AM. This rhythm became part of the Insider’s invisible machinery, a testament to the dedication behind each edition.
More Than an Editor
During these six years, Mike was not simply the editor of the Insider. He was its voice. With more than 150 articles written by him personally, he infused the publication with his distinctive tone, thoughtful, ironic at times, literary, occasionally provocative, but always engaging. His writing style gave the Insider its identity. Through his words, the newsletter became not only informative but also deeply human.
The Dream Team
The Insider was never a solo effort.
Behind its creation stood what Mike liked to call the “Dream Team.”
Sarah Leonache ensured that the process remained structured and disciplined, keeping the publication moving forward each month.
And the visual identity of the Insider — the images that often added their own commentary, humour or subtle irony — were carefully selected and assembled by Alexandre Koerfer.
Together, they built a rhythm, a method and a standard.
A standard that the publication consistently upheld over seventy-two editions.
The Space Needle Award
Among the many contributions Mike brought to IGAL Insider was the creation of the First Annual Space Needle Award in November 2021.
What began as an original editorial idea quickly became a tradition.
Each year, the award provided a moment of recognition, reflection and sometimes playful commentary within the network.
It added yet another layer to the Insider’s identity — blending professionalism with personality.
A chronicle of the IGAL community
Over the years, the Insider evolved into something more than a newsletter. It became a chronicle of the life of our network. Within its pages, members shared:
-
professional insights
-
legal developments across jurisdictions
-
literary reflections
-
personal stories
-
humour and cultural recommendations
In doing so, the publication captured something rare in professional organisations: the ability to combine expertise with humanity. It reminded us that behind every firm, every jurisdiction and every professional title, there are individuals with stories to tell.
Carrying the banner
As Mike writes in his farewell article, the goal was always simple: To carry the banner of IGAL proudly and high. Through moments of uncertainty, global disruption and rapid change, the Insider remained a constant presence. Month after month, it brought the network together. Not through meetings or conferences, but through words.
Turning the page
Every cycle eventually reaches its conclusion. After six years, seventy-two editions and more than one hundred and fifty personal contributions, Mike has decided that his mission is complete. Few editorial projects in professional organisations manage to achieve such consistency and longevity. Fewer still manage to do so while preserving both quality and personality. The Insider stands today as a testament to that achievement.
Thank You, Mike
Mike, on behalf of the IGAL community:
> Thank you for your vision.
> Thank you for your discipline.
> Thank you for your humour.
> Thank you for your words.
Most of all, thank you for giving IGAL Insider its voice. Seventy-two editions later, that voice has left a lasting imprint on the history of our network. And while this chapter closes, its spirit will remain part of IGAL for years to come.