ALFA International
{{Short description|Global legal network}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ALFA International
| caption =
| type = 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation registered in Delaware
| industry =
| foundation = {{start date|1980}}
| location_city = Chicago
| location_country = United States
| locations = 300
| area_served = Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, North America, South America
| key_people = Edward T. Hayes, Chair, Board of Directors;{{cite web|url=http://www.alfainternational.com/board-of-directors|title=ALFA International Board of Directors|publisher=ALFA International|accessdate=19 December 2013 }} Jessica Zaroski Bauer, Chief Executive Officer{{cite web|url=http://www.alfainternational.com/alfa-international-staff|title=ALFA International Staff|publisher=ALFA International|accessdate=1 November 2014 }}
| homepage = [http://www.alfainternational.com ALFA International]
}}
ALFA International The Global Legal Network Inc., commonly known as ALFA International, is a global legal network consisting of 140 independent law firms, including 80 U.S. law firms and 60 member firms in other countries.{{cite web|title=ALFA website|url=https://www.alfainternational.com/about|publisher=ALFA International|accessdate=23 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ycrlaw.com/news|title=Young Clement Rivers News|accessdate=19 December 2013 }}
As with other types of professional services networks, the organization serves as a business referral and resource pooling network between member law firms.
History
The organization, which was originally named the American Law Firm Association,{{cite web|url=https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2009/jul/2/burch-porter-touts-usefulness-of-legal-network//print|title=Burch Porter Touts Usefulness of Legal Network|last=Hearn|first=Rebekah|publisher=Memphis Daily News|date=30 April 2005|accessdate=30 December 2013 }} was founded in 1980.{{cite web|url=http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/13-3084204/alfa-international-global-legal-network.aspx|title=ALFA International Global Legal Network|publisher=Guidestar|accessdate=19 December 2013 }} It is the oldest U.S.-based law firm network
At its creation, it consisted of 12 U.S. law firms that performed insurance defense work for insurance companies with nationwide operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.alfainternational.com/alfa-international-history|title=ALFA International History|publisher=ALFA International|accessdate=19 December 2013 }}
During the 1980s, ALFA expanded to include more than 60 law firms in the United States. The membership included firms that handled other types of litigation, not just insurance defense, as well as transactional legal work.
During the 1990s, ALFA membership grew to include 80 law firms in the United States and 25 law firms in Europe, Latin American, and the Pacific Rim.
During the 2000s, ALFA expanded its international membership to include 60 member firms.
Membership
As of 2019, the ALFA International network comprises approximately 140 law firms and approximately 10,000 lawyers in 300 offices worldwide.{{cite web |title=ALFA International Law Firm Associations Profile |url=https://www.martindale.com/organization/alfa-international-global-legal-network-inc-1300138/ |access-date=30 December 2013}} ALFA International membership is exclusive to one law firm in each metropolitan area, state, or country.{{cite news |author=Doe, John |title=Joining the Alliance |date=31 July 2009 |work=Asia Legal Business }} Member law firms are full-service corporate firms, and on average, each firm consists of approximately 75 attorneys.
Firms must undergo a rigorous application process prior to being admitted to the organization.{{cite news |author=Doe, John |title=Smart Networking Considers the Risks |date=5 October 2009 |work=Lawyers Weekly (Australia) }} Member firms are then regularly audited,{{cite web |title=Becoming an ALFA International Firm |url=https://www.alfainternational.com/about-us/becoming-a-member |access-date=19 December 2013}} and underperforming firms may be removed from membership.{{cite web |title=The Ties That Bind |url=https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/pdf/Networking_Report.pdf |access-date=19 December 2013 |author=Whealing, Justin}} Member law firms have no legal ties to one another.{{cite news |title=Local law firms leaning on global affiliations |author=Kane, Brad |date=19 September 2011 |work=HartfordBusiness.com }}
Notable member firms include:
- [https://www.ah.co.nz/ Anthony Harper] (New Zealand)
- [https://www.barunlaw.com/ Barun Law LLC] (South Korea)
- [https://www.aplawjapan.com/en Atsumi & Sakai] (Japan)
- [https://www.leakeandersson.com/ Leake & Andersson LLP] (United States)
- [https://www.fylgia.se/en/ Fylgia AB] (Sweden)
- [https://www.dsm.legal/ DSM Avocats à la Cour] (Luxembourg).
ALFA International is also recognized as a top-tier legal network by independent rankings. It is ranked in Band 1 of the Chambers and Partners Global Guide for Leading Law Firm Networks – Global Market Leaders, and in Band 3 in the Asia-Pacific regional guide for Leading Regional Law Firm Networks.{{cite web |title=Chambers Ranking – ALFA International: Leading Law Firm Networks |url=https://chambers.com/law-firm/alfa-international-global-2:89729 |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=Chambers and Partners}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?990_type=&fn=&st=&zp=&ei=133084204&fy=&action=Find IRS Form 990 filings for 2009–2011]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
- [https://www.alfainternational.com Official ALFA International website]
- [https://www.alfainternational.com/member-directory ALFA International Member Directory]
- [https://chambers.com/law-firm/alfa-international-global-2:89729 Chambers Ranking – ALFA International: Leading Law Firm Networks]
Category:Professional networks
Category:Business organizations based in Chicago
Category:Legal organizations in Chicago
Category:Organizations established in 1980