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disclaimers are found in Hogan Lovells,11 Norton Rose Fulbright,12 Baker & McKenzie,13 King & Wood
Mallesons,14 and Squire Patton Boggs.15 These disclaimers or legal notices seem to parallel those of the Big
Four accounting firms which are clearly networks.
To date being generally characterized as a law firm has provided vereins the benefit of being an organization
that grows quickly.16 It also provides the inherent public relations value to be ranked as among the largest
law firms.17 A number of vereins continue to refer to their recruiting efforts as “mergers,” but in most cases
it would appear that they are simply extending the network to other independent firms.18 The only difference
may be their intent, at a future point, to become a fully integrated firm.19
Lastly, there are now the Big Four and BDO in the legal market outside of the United States.20 Their legal
practices come under the general umbrella of networks of independent firms, large numbers of which have
their own legal practices. They can operate as the accounting and consulting services operate through
centrally coordinated activities. Their expansion to law represents the adaptability of networks.
What is a law firm network? Up until recently, from a legal perspective, many of these points may be
distinctions without a difference. Today, it appears that the legal system is beginning to hold the vereins
accountable.21 From a marketing perspective, these are not mere distinctions but clear differences in how
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,
http://www.hoganlovells.com/legal-notices/ (last visited July 22, 2015).
12 “‘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, http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices-and-
disclaimers/ (last visited July 14, 2015).
13 “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, http://www.bakermckenzie.com/disclaimers/ (last visited July 14, 2015).
14 “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, http://www.kwm.com/en/legal-notices (last visited July 14, 2015).
15 “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 (last visited July 14, 2015).
16 Bruce MacEwen , October 15, 2014, Norton Rose Fulbright: a merger, a combination, or trying to have it both ways?
http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/blog-post/2375816/norton-rose-fulbright-a-merger-combination-or-lawyers-trying-to-
have-it-both-ways
17 This practice has been criticized by integrated law firms as not reflecting the true nature of the firms. Matt Byrnes, K&L Gates’
Kalis Renews Attacks on Swiss Vereins, http://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), http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/05/grandillusion.html.
18 See Natasha Bernal, What’s the Deal With… Dentons Merging with 21 Firms? THE LAWYER (June 22, 2015)
http://www.thelawyer.com/home/insight/whats-the-deal-with-dentons-merging-with-21-firms/3036205.article.
19 Given the history of the accounting profession and ethical considerations, some have doubted that this will occur. See note 12,
supra.
20 Mark A. Cohen, By Stealth or By Storm? The BigFour and the Legal Market, http://legalmosaic.com/2015/06/22/the-bigfour-
legal-market/ June 24, 2015, Attack of the Bean Counters, http://www.economist.com/news/business/21646741-lawyers-beware-
accountants-are-coming-after-your-business-attack-bean-counters (March 31, 2015)
21 In a recent case the chief administrative judge of the US International Trade Commission Court held that Dentons was a law
firm for conflict of interest rules. Mark A. Cohen, Denton’s Disqualification and Legal Advertising: Stir but Don’t Shake,
51 | P a g e
Mallesons,14 and Squire Patton Boggs.15 These disclaimers or legal notices seem to parallel those of the Big
Four accounting firms which are clearly networks.
To date being generally characterized as a law firm has provided vereins the benefit of being an organization
that grows quickly.16 It also provides the inherent public relations value to be ranked as among the largest
law firms.17 A number of vereins continue to refer to their recruiting efforts as “mergers,” but in most cases
it would appear that they are simply extending the network to other independent firms.18 The only difference
may be their intent, at a future point, to become a fully integrated firm.19
Lastly, there are now the Big Four and BDO in the legal market outside of the United States.20 Their legal
practices come under the general umbrella of networks of independent firms, large numbers of which have
their own legal practices. They can operate as the accounting and consulting services operate through
centrally coordinated activities. Their expansion to law represents the adaptability of networks.
What is a law firm network? Up until recently, from a legal perspective, many of these points may be
distinctions without a difference. Today, it appears that the legal system is beginning to hold the vereins
accountable.21 From a marketing perspective, these are not mere distinctions but clear differences in how
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,
http://www.hoganlovells.com/legal-notices/ (last visited July 22, 2015).
12 “‘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, http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices-and-
disclaimers/ (last visited July 14, 2015).
13 “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, http://www.bakermckenzie.com/disclaimers/ (last visited July 14, 2015).
14 “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, http://www.kwm.com/en/legal-notices (last visited July 14, 2015).
15 “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 (last visited July 14, 2015).
16 Bruce MacEwen , October 15, 2014, Norton Rose Fulbright: a merger, a combination, or trying to have it both ways?
http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/blog-post/2375816/norton-rose-fulbright-a-merger-combination-or-lawyers-trying-to-
have-it-both-ways
17 This practice has been criticized by integrated law firms as not reflecting the true nature of the firms. Matt Byrnes, K&L Gates’
Kalis Renews Attacks on Swiss Vereins, http://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), http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/05/grandillusion.html.
18 See Natasha Bernal, What’s the Deal With… Dentons Merging with 21 Firms? THE LAWYER (June 22, 2015)
http://www.thelawyer.com/home/insight/whats-the-deal-with-dentons-merging-with-21-firms/3036205.article.
19 Given the history of the accounting profession and ethical considerations, some have doubted that this will occur. See note 12,
supra.
20 Mark A. Cohen, By Stealth or By Storm? The BigFour and the Legal Market, http://legalmosaic.com/2015/06/22/the-bigfour-
legal-market/ June 24, 2015, Attack of the Bean Counters, http://www.economist.com/news/business/21646741-lawyers-beware-
accountants-are-coming-after-your-business-attack-bean-counters (March 31, 2015)
21 In a recent case the chief administrative judge of the US International Trade Commission Court held that Dentons was a law
firm for conflict of interest rules. Mark A. Cohen, Denton’s Disqualification and Legal Advertising: Stir but Don’t Shake,
51 | P a g e
