Law firm network

File:Law multisdisciplinary and specialty networks.PNG

There are two different reasons for networks developing in the legal profession. The first reason is that law firms needed international connections due to globalization in the 1990s.[http://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file_uuid=065AE984-1E4F-17FA-D2D7-678F901BAFF4&siteName=lca/ A global practice – perspectives on the internationalization of legal services markets.] The second reason is the expansion of many large United States firms to become "national". Smaller firms or firms with a niche practice requested expertise from these networks.

The internationalization of the legal profession began later than that of the accounting profession. Unlike accounting firms that conducted worldwide audits, law firms in each country were able to deal with national client matters. This changed in 1949, when Baker & McKenzie began to expand to non-United States markets to assist U.S. clients that were expanding overseas following WWII.[http://www.bakermckenzie.com/firmfacts/firmhistory History of Baker & McKenzie]. Bakermckenzie.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-06.

Internationalization was slow because the legal profession was more restrictive than accounting in allowing foreign firms to enter and practice in other countries. One of the requirements is that the names of the partners should be present in the name of the firm.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In the late 1980s, U.S. and English firms began establishing branches in the primary commercial centers. This new competition in local markets had the immediate effect of forcing local firms to evaluate alternative ways of providing services to their international clients.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pirp.harvard.edu/pubs_pdf/spar/spar-p98-3.pdf|title=A world of Lawyers: the internationalization of legal practice|last=Spar|first=Debora L.|author-link=Debora Spar |date=1998|website=pirp.harvard.edu|access-date=}}

The first international networks, called clubs, generally consisted of ten firms in different countries.The first known club was the [http://www.clubdeabogadosibero.com/ Club de Abogados] which had members in all of Latin America and Spain. There was also a sister club, Club de Abogados Europeo. The typical format was to hold several meetings a year among managing partners, to compare notes on management-related issues. They were secretive networks because the members feared losing business from other firms. On the other hand, they would advertise to their clients that they had foreign connections and correspondents. Today the clubs are commonly known as "best friends networks". Examples today are Leading Counsel Network[https://www.thelawyer.com/issues/16-november-2009/nine-strong-cis%E2%80%88legal-network-gets-off-ground/ Nine Strong CIS Network Gets Off Ground]. The Lawyer (2009-11-17). Retrieved on 2017-05-28. and Slaughter & May.[http://www.slaughterandmay.com/where-we-work.aspx Slaughter & May locations]. Slaughterandmay.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-06.

The clubs evolved into networks in the 1980s. The networks were not secretive and published directories, materials, and brochures (Interlaw being one of the first examples).[http://www.interlaw.org/ Interlaw]. Interlaw. Retrieved on 2012-04-06. The members met annually. Some focused on specific practices, such as litigation, while others were more generic. Because networks were not thought of as strategic models, the membership selection process was not rigorous. This selection process is reflected today in the networks that have firms with a wide range of sizes, i.e., small firms in locations where there are firms three and four times the size of the country.[http://www.terralex.org/ TerraLex.org]

Lex Mundi was formed in 1989. It was the first network where each member had to be among the largest and most established firms in a state or country. It was a business that provided members with many alternatives to expand their resources. Lex Mundi is a network organized around strategic objectives, rather than objectives being defined after the network was established. While different from the accounting network, the concept was that of an entity that provided services to members and should also have an established brand. The staff, board, councils, and members collaborated to achieve the objectives.

Other networks like TerraLex, Meritas also known as the Commercial Law Affiliates and International Jurists,{{cite web|url=http://www.internationaljurists.com/|title=International Jurists - Global Network of Independent Law Firms|publisher=}} soon followed. These networks operated as businesses. Their stated objective was to create a branded alternative to the large United States and English law firms that had expanded into their countries. {{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}

In the 1980s, the United States witnessed the development of specialized national networks. One example of such a network focused on insurance litigation was ALFA.[http://www.alfainternational.com/ ALFA International]. ALFA International (2012-01-26). Retrieved on 2012-04-06. The State Capital Law Firm Group also emerged in the 1980s, initially as a national network for firms specializing in government affairs. Membership in this network reportedly required a former governor to be affiliated with the firm. Notably, both ALFA and the State Capital Law Firm Group later expanded internationally, becoming ALFA International and the State Capital Global Legal Network, respectively.{{cite web|title=Mass Torts Legal Help & Advice|url=https://ifspb.com/|publisher=Ifspb.com}}

{{Law firm networks table 2011}}

The typical network is run on a day-to-day basis by an administrative office called a secretariat or home office.{{cite book |last=Schmidt |first=Sally J. |title=Marketing the law firm: business development techniques |publisher=Law Journal Press |year=1991 |isbn=978-1-58852-052-4 |pages=13G-1–13G-12}}

The head office is commonly located in major commercial centers in Europe or North America and does not practice law. Depending on the nature of the network (extension of the members or an independent business), the person responsible for the network will be an executive director or president/CEO.

The network may be governed by a board of directors. Networks also have representatives who form a management board with the executive director.[http://www.meritas.org/ Meritas]. Meritas. Retrieved on 2012-04-06.

There are three different types of networks. The original large networks – Lex Mundi, ALFA, TerraLex, and State Capital Group – tended to members who were large firms. This was because they were competing against large firms opening offices.McGarry, Stephen, Professional Services Networks, at p. 22) Newer networks are more likely to include smaller firms. Specialty law firms may participate in boutique networks based on their field of law. {{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}

Law firm networks may offer their members territorial exclusivity. When that occurs, another firm can not be admitted within its exclusive territory.

Network members may together have hundreds of offices. Firms listed in the list of largest U.S. law firms have at most 4,000 attorneys. The largest networks include more than 10,000 attorneys.{{cite web|last1=McGarry|first1=Stephen J.|title=The Handbook: Law Firm Networks|url=https://www.expertisegroep.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/The-Handbook-Law-Firm-Networks-9-2.pdf|publisher=Association of International Law Firm Networks|accessdate=28 May 2017|date=2017}}

Membership of networks may be open to accounting firms, and accounting networks also form alliances with law networks. Some commentators“Accounting Firms Covert Forbidden Fruit: Piece of the U.S. Legal Market, Wall Street Journal,” p.B1 (May 31, 2000), Poe, “Multidisciplinary Practice,” Defense Counsel J. 245 (Apr. 2000), Cannon, “The Big Six Moves In” 50 Int’l Fin. L. Rev. 49 (October 1997), “Andersen’s Giant Step Towards World Law” Australian Fin. Rev. 33 (Jan. 1998), Rubenstein, (Accounting Firm Legal Practices Expand Rapidly. How the Big Six Firms Are Practicing Law in Europe: Europe First and then the World?” Corp. Legal Times 1 (Nov 1997) take the position that bringing together a group of lawyers and accountants to create a multidisciplinary association ultimately benefits clients as they often need a wide range of professional services advisors when involved in large transactions, for example, when incorporating a new business or in litigation matters, when for lawyers, the litigation support services of accountants can be very valuable. Bringing lawyers and accountants together does not create a multidisciplinary practice (MDP), as all firms are separate legal entities.McGarry, Stephen Multidisciplinary Practices and Partnerships, American Lawyer Media Publishing, 2002 MDPs that involve law firms partnering with non-law firms remain highly regulated or forbidden in most nations and jurisdictions.{{cite web|title=Market demand – a key driver of the multidisciplinary approach to legal services|url=https://www.ibanet.org/Article/NewDetail.aspx?ArticleUid=b40f0ddb-4c85-422b-84dd-f2f321eee6a5|website=International Bar Association|accessdate=28 May 2017|date=Feb 2013}}

Becoming part of a network may help firms serve new marketplaces while retaining independence, creating economies of scale, and pool resources.[http://www.slideshare.net/msiglobalalliance/why-join-an-international-law-firm-network/ Why Join a Law Firm Network]. Slideshare.net (2011-06-13). Retrieved on 2012-04-06.

Networks allow firms to refer their clients to similar-sized members in another jurisdiction, rather than lose clients to a larger international firm. Many firms{{Who|date=November 2022}} believe that being part of a network provides clients with reassurance that they will receive similar levels of service from any firm in the network

Networks allow firms to attract larger clients operating on a multi-jurisdictional basis. Others disagree that law firm networks offer practice development opportunities.{{cite web|last1=Bodine|first1=Larry|title=Marketing via legal networks (consortia): Is it worth the money?|url=http://legalmarketing.typepad.com/blog/2005/02/marketing_via_l.html/|website=Larry Bodine's LegalMarketing Blog|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331093103/http://legalmarketing.typepad.com/blog/2005/02/marketing_via_l.html/|archivedate=31 March 2012|date=21 Feb 2005}}

Networks may offer firms exclusivity. This may be a city, state, or country.[http://www.inblf.com/ International Network of Boutique Law Firms]. Inblf.com (2005-02-03). Retrieved on 2012-04-06.

Membership in a network gives members the right to promote their affiliation in its territory using the network's logo.[http://www.grahamthompson.com/memberships.php Graham Thompson]. Graham Thompson. Retrieved on 2012-04-06. Use of the brand is encouraged, but not usually required, and would typically be implemented across firm stationery, marketing brochures, and web pages.

Many networks consist of non-competing firms and therefore provide their members with the opportunity to openly discuss issues affecting their firm.

• Bar association
• Umbrella organization
• Business networking
• Professional services networks
• Multidisciplinary professional services networks
• Accounting networks and associations

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Category:Professional networks

Category:Legal organizations