Page 6 - Vienna Meeting Materals October 4, 2015 b
P. 6
Discussion Materials
business firms have always competed against each other but now the competition has
shifted to a new level.
The largest international firms are now developing their own networks using Swiss vereins
or as some would state a network under Swiss law. The fact that their structure is network
like is not recognized in the legal profession or by clients. The true law networks can
benefit when this is recognized as the better alternative.
Outside of the US, the Big 4 accounting firms have returned to the market. They are also
networks of independent firms promoting a brand. Like the large non-traditional law firm
network, this fact is not known. They have extraordinary resources, experience, and staff
to systematically direct their services in each market because they are managed under the
global umbrella of accounting and consulting firms.
3. AILFN Benefits
As an organization, an association of law firm networks would be at the same level as
other associations like the ABA, IBA, ACC, etc. and develop relationships and
strategies to benefit all members.
Networks are at the mercy of 3rd parties for advertising, vanity publications, and even
events. This is not an effective use of their budgets. An association can independently
promote networks without having to pay for these services.
Collectively an association can also negotiate with 3rd party legal business publishers
and event creators for advantageous deals. This can include travel, insurance, and
services provided to law firms.
Networks themselves can provide other services to members which, if done
individually, are costly and inefficient because of the size of networks and support staff
required. An association can negotiate with vendors on a significantly higher level for
additional benefits because of the size of the association (200,000 attorneys). These
preferred vendors can also provide 3rd party revenue.
As an association, the association would be invited to make the views of the members
known in the legal profession on issues relating to the practice of law. This increases
the awareness of networks in general. Individual networks are unable to do this.
An association would be asked for its views in the legal and business media as the
spokesman for independent firms.
Being a member of a network, belonging to an association with established standards,
distinguishes member firms from other local firms who may belong to a network, but
are not a member of the association because they do not meet the criteria. It establishes
an “elite” status based upon objective criteria rather one based upon paying to be elite.
3|Page
business firms have always competed against each other but now the competition has
shifted to a new level.
The largest international firms are now developing their own networks using Swiss vereins
or as some would state a network under Swiss law. The fact that their structure is network
like is not recognized in the legal profession or by clients. The true law networks can
benefit when this is recognized as the better alternative.
Outside of the US, the Big 4 accounting firms have returned to the market. They are also
networks of independent firms promoting a brand. Like the large non-traditional law firm
network, this fact is not known. They have extraordinary resources, experience, and staff
to systematically direct their services in each market because they are managed under the
global umbrella of accounting and consulting firms.
3. AILFN Benefits
As an organization, an association of law firm networks would be at the same level as
other associations like the ABA, IBA, ACC, etc. and develop relationships and
strategies to benefit all members.
Networks are at the mercy of 3rd parties for advertising, vanity publications, and even
events. This is not an effective use of their budgets. An association can independently
promote networks without having to pay for these services.
Collectively an association can also negotiate with 3rd party legal business publishers
and event creators for advantageous deals. This can include travel, insurance, and
services provided to law firms.
Networks themselves can provide other services to members which, if done
individually, are costly and inefficient because of the size of networks and support staff
required. An association can negotiate with vendors on a significantly higher level for
additional benefits because of the size of the association (200,000 attorneys). These
preferred vendors can also provide 3rd party revenue.
As an association, the association would be invited to make the views of the members
known in the legal profession on issues relating to the practice of law. This increases
the awareness of networks in general. Individual networks are unable to do this.
An association would be asked for its views in the legal and business media as the
spokesman for independent firms.
Being a member of a network, belonging to an association with established standards,
distinguishes member firms from other local firms who may belong to a network, but
are not a member of the association because they do not meet the criteria. It establishes
an “elite” status based upon objective criteria rather one based upon paying to be elite.
3|Page
