Page 228 - 2019 - Leaders in Legal Business (n)
P. 228
Law Firm and Multidisciplinary
Networks
Stephen J. McGarry1
Founder, AILFN, Lex Mundi,
WSG, & HG.org
Introduction
All businesses comprise a pool of financial and human capital that creates a product or
performs a service. This capital can be configured in an unlimited number of ways to achieve
specific objectives for the service provider or manufacturer. With professional services, objectives
are achieved via a controlled entity, such as an accounting or law firm, and membership in an
association of independent service providers. These associations are commonly referred to as
professional services networks or associations.
Law firm organizations are defined by elements of purpose, structure, and process.2 The
purpose of a network is different from that of a company or professional firm in that it is limited
to specific activities that will benefit its members and enhance its performance. Within the
network, they can operate to pursue their interests. These interests can include referrals, joint
venturing, access to expertise, developing regional expertise, publishing articles for clients,
branding, technical information exchange, market positioning, pro bono services, and more.
Beyond the objective of a law firm network is the need to create a framework with the
potential to allow the members to expand their services. The network’s structure reflects the
activities it seeks to promote and the underlying cultures of the members. The scope of these
interests is defined not by the members, but by the network. Therefore, each network must be
different.
One of the major factors influencing the need for networks is the globalization of the
economy. Supply and demand are no longer local. The price of commodities is affected by a
1 Stephen McGarry, B.A., M.A., J.D., and LL.M. (Taxation), founded World Services Group (WSG), a multidisciplinary network, in 2002. As
president, he grew it to 150 firms that have 21,000 professionals in 600 offices in more than 100 countries. In 1989 McGarry founded Lex Mundi,
the world’s largest law firm network. As president, he grew it to 160 law firms that today have 21,000 attorneys in 600 offices in 100-plus countries.
These two networks represent 2 percent of all the lawyers on earth. In 1995, he founded HG.org, one of the first legal websites. Today, it is among
the world’s largest sites with more than five million pages and 900,000 users each month who download almost two million pages. McGarry is
admitted by exam to the bars of Minnesota, Texas, and Louisiana. In 2002, American Lawyer Media (ALM) published McGarry’s treatise on
Multidisciplinary Practices. McGarry has authored numerous articles on associations and international business transactions.
Jennifer Kain Kilgore is the VP of Editorial for AILFN and an associate attorney with MALIS | LAW. She previously worked as an associate
attorney with the Boston-area law firm of Brown & Knight, LLC and concentrated her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, business
planning, and real estate. She is also the principal of Writmore, LLC, providing editorial, research, and writing services. She was the managing
editor of the New England Journal of International & Comparative Law and was published in Volume 18.1. Ms. Kilgore has worked with the
Massachusetts Reporter of Decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, the Medical-Legal Partnership | Boston, and the Boston
Municipal Court. She served as attorney editor for the popular financial news website Benzinga.com and was also the editorial assistant for two
award-winning regional magazines, Berkshire Living and Berkshire Business Quarterly. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. Ms. Kilgore
graduated from Ohio University (B.S., Journalism, cum laude, 2005) and the New England School of Law (J.D., 2012).
2 See Marshall Van Alstyne, The State of Network Organizations: A Survey of Three Frameworks, 7 J. OF ORG. COMPUTING AND ELECTRIC
COMMERCE 83 (1997); see also Mark Granovetter, Problems in Explanation of Economic Sociology, 25 HARVARD BUS. SCHOOL PRESS 56 (1993).
213
Networks
Stephen J. McGarry1
Founder, AILFN, Lex Mundi,
WSG, & HG.org
Introduction
All businesses comprise a pool of financial and human capital that creates a product or
performs a service. This capital can be configured in an unlimited number of ways to achieve
specific objectives for the service provider or manufacturer. With professional services, objectives
are achieved via a controlled entity, such as an accounting or law firm, and membership in an
association of independent service providers. These associations are commonly referred to as
professional services networks or associations.
Law firm organizations are defined by elements of purpose, structure, and process.2 The
purpose of a network is different from that of a company or professional firm in that it is limited
to specific activities that will benefit its members and enhance its performance. Within the
network, they can operate to pursue their interests. These interests can include referrals, joint
venturing, access to expertise, developing regional expertise, publishing articles for clients,
branding, technical information exchange, market positioning, pro bono services, and more.
Beyond the objective of a law firm network is the need to create a framework with the
potential to allow the members to expand their services. The network’s structure reflects the
activities it seeks to promote and the underlying cultures of the members. The scope of these
interests is defined not by the members, but by the network. Therefore, each network must be
different.
One of the major factors influencing the need for networks is the globalization of the
economy. Supply and demand are no longer local. The price of commodities is affected by a
1 Stephen McGarry, B.A., M.A., J.D., and LL.M. (Taxation), founded World Services Group (WSG), a multidisciplinary network, in 2002. As
president, he grew it to 150 firms that have 21,000 professionals in 600 offices in more than 100 countries. In 1989 McGarry founded Lex Mundi,
the world’s largest law firm network. As president, he grew it to 160 law firms that today have 21,000 attorneys in 600 offices in 100-plus countries.
These two networks represent 2 percent of all the lawyers on earth. In 1995, he founded HG.org, one of the first legal websites. Today, it is among
the world’s largest sites with more than five million pages and 900,000 users each month who download almost two million pages. McGarry is
admitted by exam to the bars of Minnesota, Texas, and Louisiana. In 2002, American Lawyer Media (ALM) published McGarry’s treatise on
Multidisciplinary Practices. McGarry has authored numerous articles on associations and international business transactions.
Jennifer Kain Kilgore is the VP of Editorial for AILFN and an associate attorney with MALIS | LAW. She previously worked as an associate
attorney with the Boston-area law firm of Brown & Knight, LLC and concentrated her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, business
planning, and real estate. She is also the principal of Writmore, LLC, providing editorial, research, and writing services. She was the managing
editor of the New England Journal of International & Comparative Law and was published in Volume 18.1. Ms. Kilgore has worked with the
Massachusetts Reporter of Decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, the Medical-Legal Partnership | Boston, and the Boston
Municipal Court. She served as attorney editor for the popular financial news website Benzinga.com and was also the editorial assistant for two
award-winning regional magazines, Berkshire Living and Berkshire Business Quarterly. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. Ms. Kilgore
graduated from Ohio University (B.S., Journalism, cum laude, 2005) and the New England School of Law (J.D., 2012).
2 See Marshall Van Alstyne, The State of Network Organizations: A Survey of Three Frameworks, 7 J. OF ORG. COMPUTING AND ELECTRIC
COMMERCE 83 (1997); see also Mark Granovetter, Problems in Explanation of Economic Sociology, 25 HARVARD BUS. SCHOOL PRESS 56 (1993).
213
