The battle of the receptions at this year's IBA conference was arguably fiercer than ever, with many of Chicago's iconic venues hosting rival events. After the IBA itself kicked things off by holding the opening reception at the Field Museum, currently home to an impressive King Tut exhibition, there were, among others, conference sponsor Aon at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears American football team, Dutch law firm Houthoff Buruma at the Aquarium, and US firm Kirkland & Ellis - home to IBA president Francis Neate - at the Art Institute, although sadly we never made it to the smorgasbord put on by Swedish firm Vinge. Allen & Overy's effort felt like a wedding - hosted at a fancy hotel, with a welcoming line of partners, an impressive buffet, and a swinging band. But we did not read wedding bells into seeing at least one senior partner from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer among the guests. Interestingly, UK/US giant DLA Piper - which hosted a glitzy reception including ice bars and chefs who made your dinner in front of you - had the temerity to try to upstage its national Law Society. The Society entertained the international legal profession at the Mid-America Club on the 80th floor of the Aon Building; at the same time, DLA had to go higher, hiring the 95th-floor Signature Room in the John Hancock Tower.