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Law and Accounting Networks and Associations
Level 2 networks are more formal and have a budget, a small administrative staff, a website, a brochure, and
annual meetings. They are generally volunteer networks where the staffs of the members themselves are the
principal support of the network. The network will have a two-dimensional website to advertise the network
to the members and third parties. Based upon a review of websites, it would appear Level 2 networks would
include: (1) PRAC,41 (2) USLFG,42 and (3) American Counsel Association.43 Based upon a review of websites,
it would appear Level 2 networks would include: (1) EuraAudit,44 (2) GMN International,45 (3) Integra
International,46 (4) Rödl & Partner,47 and (5) KS International.48
Level 3 networks are formal and institutional structures that generally are more than 10 years old. The annual
budgets can be quite substantial, up to many millions of dollars. The networks are formal businesses in their
structure, governance, and operations, and have institutionalized member programs that have been executed
over a number years. Level 3 networks have staffs that undertake projects beyond meetings, practice groups,
and network publications. Their website may be three-dimensional, allowing for interaction among members.49
The network will have extensive internal relationships with practice and industry groups, an intranet for its
members, and common documentation and advertising materials. These networks promote themselves both
internally to members and, to some extent, externally to non-members. What separates a Level 3 network from
a Level 4 is the scope of activities. Based upon a review of websites and knowledge of the networks, Level 3
networks in the legal profession would include: (1) Lex Mundi,50 (2) World Services Group,51 (3) Meritas,52
(4) TAGLaw,53 and (5) SCG Legal.54 In the accounting profession, based upon a review of websites, it would
appear Level 3 networks would include: (1) Praxity,55 (2) Crowe Horwath International,56 (3) RSM,57 and (4)
Baker Tilly.58
Level 4 professional services networks are found primarily in accounting and, to a limited extent, in the legal
profession. While Big 4 are technically and legally networks,59 their operation resembles that of any large
corporation.60 They have a very significant external brand and are most often viewed as seamless corporations,
which they are not. Many of the large accounting firms — beyond the Big 4, BDO International, and Grant
Thornton International — are at Level 4 or seeking to become Level 4 networks. If vereins in the legal
profession are networks, they aspire to be Level 4 networks with full integration of their members.
41 PACIFIC RIM ADVISORY COUNCIL, www.prac.org.
42 UNITED STATES LAW FIRM GROUP, www.uslfg.com.
43 AMERICAN COUNSEL ASSOCIATION, www.amcounsel.org.
44 EURAAUDIT INTERNATIONAL, www.euraaudit.org.
45 GMN INTERNATIONAL, www.gmni.com.
46 INTEGRA INTERNATIONAL, www.integra-international.net.
47 RÖDL & PARTNER, www.roedl.com.
48 KS INTERNATIONAL, www.ksi.org.
49 A two-dimensional website is one that contains information about the network and members, and may allow for registration at meetings. It could be
described as an online brochure. A three-dimensional website is interactive and is modified as users utilize the website. It incorporates new content
based upon other existing content. It can anticipate and adapt to all of the individual users. It is a “social network” in which members can communicate,
form teams, manage transactions, and otherwise interact among themselves. There is only one network in professional services that has a three-
dimensional website: see WORLD SERVICES GROUP, www.worldservicesgroup.com. See also Ernan Ronan, Megatrend #4: Consumers Demand Three-
Dimensional Website Experiences, THE HUFFINGTON POST, Dec. 6, 2010, www.huffingtonpost.com/ernan-roman/megatrend-4-consumers-
dem_b_792794.html.
50 LEX MUNDI, www.lexmundi.org.
51 WORLD SERVICES GROUP, www.worldservicesgroup.com.
52 MERITAS, www.meritas.org.
53 TAGLAW, www.taglaw.com.
54 SCG LEGAL, www.statecapitalgroup.com.
55 PRAXITY, www.praxity.com.
56 CROWE HORWATH, www.crowehorwath.com.
57 RSM, www.rsm.global.
58 BAKER TILLY INTERNATIONAL, www.bakertillyinternational.com.
59 See infra Chapter 7, Regulations and Other Legal Considerations for Networks.
60 The auditing function of accounting firm requires a high degree of regular interaction among members of the network. This seamless service is
effectively mandated by the SEC. The rules of accounting and auditing are established by the Office of the Chief Accountant. It works with the Financial
Accounting Standards Board to define the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
to develop audit requirements, and with the International Accounting Standards Board to promote International Financial Reporting Standards.
8
Level 2 networks are more formal and have a budget, a small administrative staff, a website, a brochure, and
annual meetings. They are generally volunteer networks where the staffs of the members themselves are the
principal support of the network. The network will have a two-dimensional website to advertise the network
to the members and third parties. Based upon a review of websites, it would appear Level 2 networks would
include: (1) PRAC,41 (2) USLFG,42 and (3) American Counsel Association.43 Based upon a review of websites,
it would appear Level 2 networks would include: (1) EuraAudit,44 (2) GMN International,45 (3) Integra
International,46 (4) Rödl & Partner,47 and (5) KS International.48
Level 3 networks are formal and institutional structures that generally are more than 10 years old. The annual
budgets can be quite substantial, up to many millions of dollars. The networks are formal businesses in their
structure, governance, and operations, and have institutionalized member programs that have been executed
over a number years. Level 3 networks have staffs that undertake projects beyond meetings, practice groups,
and network publications. Their website may be three-dimensional, allowing for interaction among members.49
The network will have extensive internal relationships with practice and industry groups, an intranet for its
members, and common documentation and advertising materials. These networks promote themselves both
internally to members and, to some extent, externally to non-members. What separates a Level 3 network from
a Level 4 is the scope of activities. Based upon a review of websites and knowledge of the networks, Level 3
networks in the legal profession would include: (1) Lex Mundi,50 (2) World Services Group,51 (3) Meritas,52
(4) TAGLaw,53 and (5) SCG Legal.54 In the accounting profession, based upon a review of websites, it would
appear Level 3 networks would include: (1) Praxity,55 (2) Crowe Horwath International,56 (3) RSM,57 and (4)
Baker Tilly.58
Level 4 professional services networks are found primarily in accounting and, to a limited extent, in the legal
profession. While Big 4 are technically and legally networks,59 their operation resembles that of any large
corporation.60 They have a very significant external brand and are most often viewed as seamless corporations,
which they are not. Many of the large accounting firms — beyond the Big 4, BDO International, and Grant
Thornton International — are at Level 4 or seeking to become Level 4 networks. If vereins in the legal
profession are networks, they aspire to be Level 4 networks with full integration of their members.
41 PACIFIC RIM ADVISORY COUNCIL, www.prac.org.
42 UNITED STATES LAW FIRM GROUP, www.uslfg.com.
43 AMERICAN COUNSEL ASSOCIATION, www.amcounsel.org.
44 EURAAUDIT INTERNATIONAL, www.euraaudit.org.
45 GMN INTERNATIONAL, www.gmni.com.
46 INTEGRA INTERNATIONAL, www.integra-international.net.
47 RÖDL & PARTNER, www.roedl.com.
48 KS INTERNATIONAL, www.ksi.org.
49 A two-dimensional website is one that contains information about the network and members, and may allow for registration at meetings. It could be
described as an online brochure. A three-dimensional website is interactive and is modified as users utilize the website. It incorporates new content
based upon other existing content. It can anticipate and adapt to all of the individual users. It is a “social network” in which members can communicate,
form teams, manage transactions, and otherwise interact among themselves. There is only one network in professional services that has a three-
dimensional website: see WORLD SERVICES GROUP, www.worldservicesgroup.com. See also Ernan Ronan, Megatrend #4: Consumers Demand Three-
Dimensional Website Experiences, THE HUFFINGTON POST, Dec. 6, 2010, www.huffingtonpost.com/ernan-roman/megatrend-4-consumers-
dem_b_792794.html.
50 LEX MUNDI, www.lexmundi.org.
51 WORLD SERVICES GROUP, www.worldservicesgroup.com.
52 MERITAS, www.meritas.org.
53 TAGLAW, www.taglaw.com.
54 SCG LEGAL, www.statecapitalgroup.com.
55 PRAXITY, www.praxity.com.
56 CROWE HORWATH, www.crowehorwath.com.
57 RSM, www.rsm.global.
58 BAKER TILLY INTERNATIONAL, www.bakertillyinternational.com.
59 See infra Chapter 7, Regulations and Other Legal Considerations for Networks.
60 The auditing function of accounting firm requires a high degree of regular interaction among members of the network. This seamless service is
effectively mandated by the SEC. The rules of accounting and auditing are established by the Office of the Chief Accountant. It works with the Financial
Accounting Standards Board to define the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
to develop audit requirements, and with the International Accounting Standards Board to promote International Financial Reporting Standards.
8
