Page 4 - Vienna Meeting Materals October 4, 2015 b
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Discussion Materials
1. Issue
Today, the media is fixated on three models for global business: Big law firms, Swiss
vereins/networks and the Big 4 accounting firms. Structurally each of these models is inherently
ineffective and inefficient for global legal practice. (See Section V.2, page 42). The most efficient
and effective model is the law firm network1 composed of independent firms. Unfortunately, law
firm networks are not recognized in the market as the best strategic alternative undermining their
value.
This is a result of a lack of knowledge about the facts. The facts are:
The 60 largest law firm networks have existed on average for 20 years.
Members of the networks have almost 300,000 attorneys at 5,000 independent law firms
who cumulatively bill clients annual more than $120 Billion US dollars.
Network members have more than 10% of the global commercial legal market.
The networks are the only organizations covering virtually every commercial center in
the world.
Regional networks provide in depth resources in national and local markets.
The issue is that no individual network can change this perception of law firm networks.
2. Solution
AILFN – Association of International Law Firm Networks can change this incorrect
perception.
3. AILFN Vision and Objectives
Vision
To create an association of global and regional legal networks which is able to harness the
collective strength of the law firm networks in order to demonstrate our competitive edge
over international law firms, vereins and the Big 4 as the model for global legal services.
Objectives
Demonstrate and promote the value of legal networks to General Counsel and the wider
legal community. Demonstrate and promote networks’ reach, attorney numbers, and cost
effectiveness value.
Ensure networks obtain maximum media exposure.
Provide a quality mark for those who are members of the association.
Provide opportunities for joint marketing.
1 Stephen McGarry, Law Firm Networks the Future of the Legal Profession, (2016) See Section V.3, page 39)
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1. Issue
Today, the media is fixated on three models for global business: Big law firms, Swiss
vereins/networks and the Big 4 accounting firms. Structurally each of these models is inherently
ineffective and inefficient for global legal practice. (See Section V.2, page 42). The most efficient
and effective model is the law firm network1 composed of independent firms. Unfortunately, law
firm networks are not recognized in the market as the best strategic alternative undermining their
value.
This is a result of a lack of knowledge about the facts. The facts are:
The 60 largest law firm networks have existed on average for 20 years.
Members of the networks have almost 300,000 attorneys at 5,000 independent law firms
who cumulatively bill clients annual more than $120 Billion US dollars.
Network members have more than 10% of the global commercial legal market.
The networks are the only organizations covering virtually every commercial center in
the world.
Regional networks provide in depth resources in national and local markets.
The issue is that no individual network can change this perception of law firm networks.
2. Solution
AILFN – Association of International Law Firm Networks can change this incorrect
perception.
3. AILFN Vision and Objectives
Vision
To create an association of global and regional legal networks which is able to harness the
collective strength of the law firm networks in order to demonstrate our competitive edge
over international law firms, vereins and the Big 4 as the model for global legal services.
Objectives
Demonstrate and promote the value of legal networks to General Counsel and the wider
legal community. Demonstrate and promote networks’ reach, attorney numbers, and cost
effectiveness value.
Ensure networks obtain maximum media exposure.
Provide a quality mark for those who are members of the association.
Provide opportunities for joint marketing.
1 Stephen McGarry, Law Firm Networks the Future of the Legal Profession, (2016) See Section V.3, page 39)
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