Law firm network
Prominent primary law firm networks include CICERO League of International Lawyers, First Law International, Alliott Group (multidisciplinary), Lex Mundi, World Services Group (multidisciplinary), TerraLex, Meritas, Multilaw, The Network of Trial Law Firms, Inc., the State Capital Group, and Pacific Rim Advisory Council.
[1] Some of the largest legal networks span the globe, boasting over 10,000 attorneys spread across hundreds of offices worldwide.
[4] Internationalization was slow because the legal profession was more restrictive than accounting in allowing foreign firms to enter and practice in other countries.
In the late 1980s, U.S. and English firms began establishing branches in the primary commercial centers.
[5] The first international networks, called clubs, generally consisted of ten firms in different countries.
[6] The typical format was to hold several meetings a year among managing partners, to compare notes on management-related issues.
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.
[citation needed] In the 1980s, the United States witnessed the development of specialized national networks.
[14] The head office is commonly located in major commercial centers in Europe or North America and does not practice law.
[citation needed] Law firm networks may offer their members territorial exclusivity.
Some commentators[18] 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.
[20] Becoming part of a network may help firms serve new marketplaces while retaining independence, creating economies of scale, and pool resources.
[24] Use of the brand is encouraged, but not usually required, and would typically be implemented across firm stationery, marketing brochures, and web pages.
