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Lawyers and Accountants 2019 -
investigative services, and related services. In total there are more than 40 different services offered. The
members are the companies, firms or networks of firms. Each group has placed detailed information on the
members and on each professional into a database. With a few clicks, each professional can choose among
100,000 professionals in 140 countries. The firm, company or network pays an annual fee. The fee covers the
technology, which is also supplied by Microsoft, internal networking programs and external marketing.
As an association of independent entities, a board of directors sets general policies with which each member
must comply. In addition, WSG members regularly meet based upon their common interests. The
multimillion-dollar marketing budget is used for joint client seminars and publications.
The members’ principal competition for projects is the Big 5. As a result of the reputations of the members,
existing contacts with major clients and governments WSG has gained a reputation for having the best
independent firms. In recent years, members feel that WSG has made it possible for them to acquire a
disproportionate amount of work for its members.
While PSI and WSG are fictional, the building blocks for such organizations are already in the market place.’124
These services include matching services such as Elance.com and First Law, UK.125 There are also associated
service providers (ASPs) that permit professionals to create secure extranets with their clients.126 Combining
these functions with those of a traditional professional network would result in a multidisciplinary
organization.
PSI, a highly sophisticated directory, is an example of a possible Independent Multidisciplinary Organization
(I-MDO) where independent professionals pay a fee to a third party to match their needs with the expertise
of other professionals. To locate one or more professionals from the database to meet their needs,
consumers, both individuals and small businesses complete a form. The needs are matched with those of
professionals who would like to handle the matter. The professionals are notified by email when there is a
match.
WSG is the Relationship Multidisciplinary Organization (R-MDO)127 where the service providers themselves
created an association to systematically establish relationships among a number of networks, firms,
companies and, most importantly, the professionals themselves. Membership is limited by the type of service
and by jurisdictions depending upon the nature of the services.
The result is that all types of professional services are available through WSG. In this way each professional
can easily locate end assemble a team by choosing the exact professional to meet clients’ needs from firms
with whom they have a relationship. The MDO extends the concept of a professional networking, which is
common in the legal profession,128 to other service providers. Combining the traditional functions of
professional networking organizations (publications, meetings, committees, etc.) with databases of
124 One can find them in a number of industries such as steel, oil and gas, and automobile parts. Matching services for expert witnesses have been
around for a number of years through TASA. Each witness and each person seeking a witness pays a fee. Serengeti, Inc. (http//www serengetius com)
intends to create a location to purchase 50 services. Vorhees, Am. Law., Apr. 2000 at 3028.
125 First Law, http://www.firstlawsolicitors.co.uk.
126Niku, http //www niku com.
127 Freidheim, The Trillion-Dollar Enterprise (Perseus Books 1998) uses this term to define a network of networks or alliances.
128 Martindale Hubbell publishes a list of networks, alliances and affiliations in its directories. Updated Background Information Report and Request
for Comment, May 12, 2000 (http://www.abanet.org/cpr/febmdp.html). Martindale Hubbell, Volumes I, II and III, International Law Firms. HG.org —
the Comprehensive Law and Government site (http//www.hq or9) has a similar list. McGarry, Practicing Law in the 21“Century Will Require Affiliation,
Legal Management, 34, May/June 1994. Semoa, Captive Law Firms vs. Global Legal Networks. The MDP Inquiry Continues, 82 Tax Notes 36-40 (Jan.
4, 1999).
50
investigative services, and related services. In total there are more than 40 different services offered. The
members are the companies, firms or networks of firms. Each group has placed detailed information on the
members and on each professional into a database. With a few clicks, each professional can choose among
100,000 professionals in 140 countries. The firm, company or network pays an annual fee. The fee covers the
technology, which is also supplied by Microsoft, internal networking programs and external marketing.
As an association of independent entities, a board of directors sets general policies with which each member
must comply. In addition, WSG members regularly meet based upon their common interests. The
multimillion-dollar marketing budget is used for joint client seminars and publications.
The members’ principal competition for projects is the Big 5. As a result of the reputations of the members,
existing contacts with major clients and governments WSG has gained a reputation for having the best
independent firms. In recent years, members feel that WSG has made it possible for them to acquire a
disproportionate amount of work for its members.
While PSI and WSG are fictional, the building blocks for such organizations are already in the market place.’124
These services include matching services such as Elance.com and First Law, UK.125 There are also associated
service providers (ASPs) that permit professionals to create secure extranets with their clients.126 Combining
these functions with those of a traditional professional network would result in a multidisciplinary
organization.
PSI, a highly sophisticated directory, is an example of a possible Independent Multidisciplinary Organization
(I-MDO) where independent professionals pay a fee to a third party to match their needs with the expertise
of other professionals. To locate one or more professionals from the database to meet their needs,
consumers, both individuals and small businesses complete a form. The needs are matched with those of
professionals who would like to handle the matter. The professionals are notified by email when there is a
match.
WSG is the Relationship Multidisciplinary Organization (R-MDO)127 where the service providers themselves
created an association to systematically establish relationships among a number of networks, firms,
companies and, most importantly, the professionals themselves. Membership is limited by the type of service
and by jurisdictions depending upon the nature of the services.
The result is that all types of professional services are available through WSG. In this way each professional
can easily locate end assemble a team by choosing the exact professional to meet clients’ needs from firms
with whom they have a relationship. The MDO extends the concept of a professional networking, which is
common in the legal profession,128 to other service providers. Combining the traditional functions of
professional networking organizations (publications, meetings, committees, etc.) with databases of
124 One can find them in a number of industries such as steel, oil and gas, and automobile parts. Matching services for expert witnesses have been
around for a number of years through TASA. Each witness and each person seeking a witness pays a fee. Serengeti, Inc. (http//www serengetius com)
intends to create a location to purchase 50 services. Vorhees, Am. Law., Apr. 2000 at 3028.
125 First Law, http://www.firstlawsolicitors.co.uk.
126Niku, http //www niku com.
127 Freidheim, The Trillion-Dollar Enterprise (Perseus Books 1998) uses this term to define a network of networks or alliances.
128 Martindale Hubbell publishes a list of networks, alliances and affiliations in its directories. Updated Background Information Report and Request
for Comment, May 12, 2000 (http://www.abanet.org/cpr/febmdp.html). Martindale Hubbell, Volumes I, II and III, International Law Firms. HG.org —
the Comprehensive Law and Government site (http//www.hq or9) has a similar list. McGarry, Practicing Law in the 21“Century Will Require Affiliation,
Legal Management, 34, May/June 1994. Semoa, Captive Law Firms vs. Global Legal Networks. The MDP Inquiry Continues, 82 Tax Notes 36-40 (Jan.
4, 1999).
50
