Page 23 - The Handbook - Legal and Accounting Networks 81
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Law and Accounting Networks and Associations
Does the disclaimer of the seven Swiss associations (Dentons, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose
Fulbright, Baker & McKenzie, King & Wood Mallesons, and Squire Patton Boggs) make them networks?66
Let’s look at some examples of their disclaimers so that the reader can determine their status.
On their website DLA Piper refers to itself as a law firm67 but at the same time denies it is a partnership.
“[W]ords or phrases such as ‘firm’, ‘law firm’ or ‘international legal practice’ are for convenience only and
does not imply that all or any of such entities are in partnership together or accept responsibility for the acts or
omissions of each other.”68 In a Google search for Dentons, it describes itself in the search results as a “global
law firm.” In the legal notice on its website, it is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide
through its member firms and affiliates, “each of which is its own Legal Practice.”69 Similar disclaimers are
found in Hogan Lovells,70 Norton Rose Fulbright,71 Baker & McKenzie,72 King & Wood Mallesons,73 and
Squire Patton Boggs.74 These disclaimers or legal notices seem to parallel those of the Big 4 accounting firms
that are clearly and proudly networks. It would appear that the opposite is true for the vereins who want to be
law firms.
Being a law firm allows the vereins to be evaluated in the media as integrated organizations. At the same time
the verein provides the benefit of being an organization that grows quickly.75 The inherent public relations
value to be ranked as among the largest law firms is immeasurable.76 By referring to their recruiting efforts as
“mergers,” the impression is created that the member firms are integrated and each has a global practice. Some
commentators see them as merely extending the network to other independent firms.77 The only difference
may be their intent, at a future point, to become a fully integrated firm.78
66 Defined in Newsweek as “a German word meaning association, club or network.” Lynnley Browning, Legal Swiss Cheese, NEWSWEEK, Dec. 15,
2014, www.newsweek.com/legal-swiss-cheese-291745.
67 For detailed discussion, see Appendix 6. See DLA PIPER, www.dlapiper.com.
68 “The use of the name ‘DLA Piper’ and words or phrases such as ‘firm,’ ‘law firm’ or ‘international legal practice’ is for convenience only and does
not imply that all or any of such entities are in partnership together or accept responsibility for the acts or omissions of each other.” DLA PIPER, LEGAL
NOTICES, www.dlapiper.com/en/us/footer/legalnoticespage/.
69 “Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates…..each of which is its own Legal
Practice. Salans FMC SNR Denton Group (a Swiss Verein) does not itself provide legal or other client services.” DENTONS, www.dentons.com/en/legal-
notices.
8 “‘Hogan Lovells’ or the ‘firm’ refers to the international legal practice that comprises Hogan Lovells International LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP and
their affiliated businesses, each of which is a separate legal entity.” HOGAN LOVELLS, www.hoganlovells.com/legal-notices/.
71 “‘References to ‘Norton Rose Fulbright’, ‘the law firm’, and ‘legal practice’ are to one or more of the Norton Rose Fulbright members or to one of
their respective affiliates (together ‘Norton Rose Fulbright entity/entities’). That reference does not imply that the Norton Rose Fulbright entities are in
partnership together, nor that one Norton Rose Fulbright entity accepts responsibility for the acts or omissions of another.” NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT,
www.nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices-and-disclaimers/.
72 “Baker & McKenzie LLP is a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein, with other member law firms around the world. In
accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a ‘partner’ means a person who is a partner, or
equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an ‘office’ means an office of any such law firm.” BAKER & MCKENZIE LLP,
www.bakermckenzie.com/disclaimers/.
73 “King & Wood Mallesons refers to the network of firms which are members of the King & Wood Mallesons network and their associated service
companies.” KING & WOOD MALLESONS, www.kwm.com/en/legal-notices.
74 “Squire Patton Boggs is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing entities of which are separate and distinct law firms
and other entities. Squire Patton Boggs International Association (a Swiss Verein) does not itself provide, directly or indirectly, any legal or other client
services.” SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS, http://www.squirepattonboggs.com/footer/legal-notice.
75 Bruce MacEwen , Norton Rose Fulbright: a Merger, a Combination, or Trying to Have It Both Ways?, LEGAL WEEK (Oct. 15, 2014),
www.legalweek.com/legal-week/blog-post/2375816/norton-rose-fulbright-a-merger-combination-or-lawyers-trying-to-have-it-both-ways.
76 This practice has been criticized by integrated law firms as not reflecting the true nature of the firms. See Matt Byrnes, K&L Gates’ Kalis Renews
Attacks on Swiss Vereins, THE LAWYER, www.thelawyer.com/firms-and-the-bar/kl-gates-kalis-renews-attack-on-swiss-vereins-in-video-
interview/3003318.article; see also Ed Shanahan, The Am Law 100: Grand Illusion, THE AM LAW DAILY (May 2, 2011),
amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/05/grandillusion.html; see also Tony Williams, Advance of Global Verein Firms, WORLD SERVICES GROUP,
September 2014, www.worldservicesgroup.com/presentations/928/928_2.pdf.
77 Priyanka Bhat & Vaidehi Shankar, Unholy Bond – Insight into the Swiss Verein Structure, NSLR BLOG (May 15, 2015),
nslrblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/unholy-bond-insight-into-the-swiss-verein-structure/; Natasha Bernal, What’s the Deal With… Dentons Merging
with 21 Firms? THE LAWYER (June 22, 2015), www.thelawyer.com/home/insight/whats-the-deal-with-dentons-merging-with-21-firms/3036205.article.
78 Given the history of the accounting profession and ethical considerations, some have doubted that this will occur. See Sheth, supra note 12.
11
Does the disclaimer of the seven Swiss associations (Dentons, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose
Fulbright, Baker & McKenzie, King & Wood Mallesons, and Squire Patton Boggs) make them networks?66
Let’s look at some examples of their disclaimers so that the reader can determine their status.
On their website DLA Piper refers to itself as a law firm67 but at the same time denies it is a partnership.
“[W]ords or phrases such as ‘firm’, ‘law firm’ or ‘international legal practice’ are for convenience only and
does not imply that all or any of such entities are in partnership together or accept responsibility for the acts or
omissions of each other.”68 In a Google search for Dentons, it describes itself in the search results as a “global
law firm.” In the legal notice on its website, it is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide
through its member firms and affiliates, “each of which is its own Legal Practice.”69 Similar disclaimers are
found in Hogan Lovells,70 Norton Rose Fulbright,71 Baker & McKenzie,72 King & Wood Mallesons,73 and
Squire Patton Boggs.74 These disclaimers or legal notices seem to parallel those of the Big 4 accounting firms
that are clearly and proudly networks. It would appear that the opposite is true for the vereins who want to be
law firms.
Being a law firm allows the vereins to be evaluated in the media as integrated organizations. At the same time
the verein provides the benefit of being an organization that grows quickly.75 The inherent public relations
value to be ranked as among the largest law firms is immeasurable.76 By referring to their recruiting efforts as
“mergers,” the impression is created that the member firms are integrated and each has a global practice. Some
commentators see them as merely extending the network to other independent firms.77 The only difference
may be their intent, at a future point, to become a fully integrated firm.78
66 Defined in Newsweek as “a German word meaning association, club or network.” Lynnley Browning, Legal Swiss Cheese, NEWSWEEK, Dec. 15,
2014, www.newsweek.com/legal-swiss-cheese-291745.
67 For detailed discussion, see Appendix 6. See DLA PIPER, www.dlapiper.com.
68 “The use of the name ‘DLA Piper’ and words or phrases such as ‘firm,’ ‘law firm’ or ‘international legal practice’ is for convenience only and does
not imply that all or any of such entities are in partnership together or accept responsibility for the acts or omissions of each other.” DLA PIPER, LEGAL
NOTICES, www.dlapiper.com/en/us/footer/legalnoticespage/.
69 “Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates…..each of which is its own Legal
Practice. Salans FMC SNR Denton Group (a Swiss Verein) does not itself provide legal or other client services.” DENTONS, www.dentons.com/en/legal-
notices.
8 “‘Hogan Lovells’ or the ‘firm’ refers to the international legal practice that comprises Hogan Lovells International LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP and
their affiliated businesses, each of which is a separate legal entity.” HOGAN LOVELLS, www.hoganlovells.com/legal-notices/.
71 “‘References to ‘Norton Rose Fulbright’, ‘the law firm’, and ‘legal practice’ are to one or more of the Norton Rose Fulbright members or to one of
their respective affiliates (together ‘Norton Rose Fulbright entity/entities’). That reference does not imply that the Norton Rose Fulbright entities are in
partnership together, nor that one Norton Rose Fulbright entity accepts responsibility for the acts or omissions of another.” NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT,
www.nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices-and-disclaimers/.
72 “Baker & McKenzie LLP is a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein, with other member law firms around the world. In
accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a ‘partner’ means a person who is a partner, or
equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an ‘office’ means an office of any such law firm.” BAKER & MCKENZIE LLP,
www.bakermckenzie.com/disclaimers/.
73 “King & Wood Mallesons refers to the network of firms which are members of the King & Wood Mallesons network and their associated service
companies.” KING & WOOD MALLESONS, www.kwm.com/en/legal-notices.
74 “Squire Patton Boggs is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing entities of which are separate and distinct law firms
and other entities. Squire Patton Boggs International Association (a Swiss Verein) does not itself provide, directly or indirectly, any legal or other client
services.” SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS, http://www.squirepattonboggs.com/footer/legal-notice.
75 Bruce MacEwen , Norton Rose Fulbright: a Merger, a Combination, or Trying to Have It Both Ways?, LEGAL WEEK (Oct. 15, 2014),
www.legalweek.com/legal-week/blog-post/2375816/norton-rose-fulbright-a-merger-combination-or-lawyers-trying-to-have-it-both-ways.
76 This practice has been criticized by integrated law firms as not reflecting the true nature of the firms. See Matt Byrnes, K&L Gates’ Kalis Renews
Attacks on Swiss Vereins, THE LAWYER, www.thelawyer.com/firms-and-the-bar/kl-gates-kalis-renews-attack-on-swiss-vereins-in-video-
interview/3003318.article; see also Ed Shanahan, The Am Law 100: Grand Illusion, THE AM LAW DAILY (May 2, 2011),
amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/05/grandillusion.html; see also Tony Williams, Advance of Global Verein Firms, WORLD SERVICES GROUP,
September 2014, www.worldservicesgroup.com/presentations/928/928_2.pdf.
77 Priyanka Bhat & Vaidehi Shankar, Unholy Bond – Insight into the Swiss Verein Structure, NSLR BLOG (May 15, 2015),
nslrblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/unholy-bond-insight-into-the-swiss-verein-structure/; Natasha Bernal, What’s the Deal With… Dentons Merging
with 21 Firms? THE LAWYER (June 22, 2015), www.thelawyer.com/home/insight/whats-the-deal-with-dentons-merging-with-21-firms/3036205.article.
78 Given the history of the accounting profession and ethical considerations, some have doubted that this will occur. See Sheth, supra note 12.
11
