Looking for Ways to Improve Your Practice by Working With Other Lawyers?

Published October 25, 2011

Firms Can Combine Their Strengths

In an earlier column we discussed the imperatives and the planning considerations that are involved when law firms merge or make an acquisition. No law firm needs to remain an island when there are so many alternatives to merging. Firms can combine their strengths in a variety of informal arrangements that support better service to existing and potential clients. Here are examples of potential approaches.

  • Shared space. Small firm or solo practitioners can structure an arrangement where lawyers share the expense of a reception area, conference rooms, clerical staff and office equipment. Another strategy is monthly renting an office in a larger law firm, with opportunities for the sub-tenant (small firm) and the tenant (large firm) to refer work back and forth.
  • Contract lawyers. Many small firms hire contract lawyers to provide legal counsel on a specific matter beyond their practice or geographic scope. The contracting firm has oversight of the outsourced legal work and communicates with the client on how the work is applied. Participants in a contract agreement should have their own written fee arrangements.
  • Retainer arrangements. To better serve full spectrum needs of business clients, firms can establish ongoing mechanisms to call on other allied lawyers as “outside counsel” for help as needed. Such contract arrangements can contribute to work and cost efficiencies if used correctly, particularly if the lawyers involved bill at different rates.
  • Offshoring arrangements. Firms can use high speed Internet technology to connect with the growing pool of highly educated talent in developing countries where the use of English is widespread – India being the prime example. Such offshore legal service providers can reduce by up to 80% the cost of legal functions like research, document review and patent searches, with the work delivered electronically and produced under the firm’s supervision.
  • Virtual alliances. Although these are still emerging, one such model is a group of lawyer-entrepreneurs called Virtual Law Partners. The firm employs lawyers who work at home, saving on overhead and costing clients less in legal fees. The firm and its lawyers are available for contract arrangements except for litigation (because all work is done at home), and the lawyers keep 85 percent of what they bill. It’s a novel arrangement – but, like all these informal combinations, it reflects new business dynamics and client expectations for cost-saving and capabilities.

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Audience type: Large Law Firms, Small Law Firms, Sole Practitioners