Page 5 - Vienna Meeting Materals October 4, 2015 b
P. 5
Discussion Materials
Provide procurement benefits to networks e.g. - events, travel, education, IT, and
services to members.
Provide a forum for networks to exchange ideas.
The Recognized Model for Regional and Global Legal Practice 2015-2018
Status 2015 2016 2017 2018
1 Big Law Vereins Vereins Law Firm Networks
2 Vereins Big Law Law Firm Networks Vereins
3 Big 4 Law Firm Networks Big Law Big Law
4 Law Firm Networks Big 4 Big 4 Big 4
5 Other Other Other Other
Through the collective efforts of regional and global networks, AILFN’s objective is for
the network model to become the recognized prototype of global legal services
representation.
2. Background - An Association for Law Firm Networks
Law firm networks have been developing for more than 25 years. Today, there are 170
networks (See Section V.3 page 39.) They have become increasingly sophisticated in
assisting their members. Many networks are the only true global organizations in the legal
profession. Their members represent tens of thousands of attorneys in hundreds of offices
whose cumulative revenues are billions of US dollars.
Networks are still commonly characterized as no more than referral groups. They get very
little media attention, making it difficult to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their
resources to general counsel and the business community.
The quality of firms in networks is called into question by the global law firms because
they are not necessarily the national or international brands in their markets.
Clients are not generally aware of networks in the legal market - unlike in accounting. This
can be changed by a systematic approach at three levels. Market penetration is no longer
dependent on the amount of a budget, but how existing information resources (media,
websites, social media, etc.) are leveraged to targeted groups.
Law firm network’s members promote membership periodically and inconsistently
because of the lack of awareness in the member firm beyond the primary contacts. A
network that is identified with a global association that has standards for membership
increases the marketing interest of the members.
The competitive environment has changed. Increasingly network’s independent members
compete against the largest law firms who have entered their markets. The independent
2|Page
Provide procurement benefits to networks e.g. - events, travel, education, IT, and
services to members.
Provide a forum for networks to exchange ideas.
The Recognized Model for Regional and Global Legal Practice 2015-2018
Status 2015 2016 2017 2018
1 Big Law Vereins Vereins Law Firm Networks
2 Vereins Big Law Law Firm Networks Vereins
3 Big 4 Law Firm Networks Big Law Big Law
4 Law Firm Networks Big 4 Big 4 Big 4
5 Other Other Other Other
Through the collective efforts of regional and global networks, AILFN’s objective is for
the network model to become the recognized prototype of global legal services
representation.
2. Background - An Association for Law Firm Networks
Law firm networks have been developing for more than 25 years. Today, there are 170
networks (See Section V.3 page 39.) They have become increasingly sophisticated in
assisting their members. Many networks are the only true global organizations in the legal
profession. Their members represent tens of thousands of attorneys in hundreds of offices
whose cumulative revenues are billions of US dollars.
Networks are still commonly characterized as no more than referral groups. They get very
little media attention, making it difficult to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their
resources to general counsel and the business community.
The quality of firms in networks is called into question by the global law firms because
they are not necessarily the national or international brands in their markets.
Clients are not generally aware of networks in the legal market - unlike in accounting. This
can be changed by a systematic approach at three levels. Market penetration is no longer
dependent on the amount of a budget, but how existing information resources (media,
websites, social media, etc.) are leveraged to targeted groups.
Law firm network’s members promote membership periodically and inconsistently
because of the lack of awareness in the member firm beyond the primary contacts. A
network that is identified with a global association that has standards for membership
increases the marketing interest of the members.
The competitive environment has changed. Increasingly network’s independent members
compete against the largest law firms who have entered their markets. The independent
2|Page
