36 LEXPERT MAGAZINE
|
OCTOBER 2017
COVER STORY
Big
Global law firms may offer a "one-stop
shop," but when it comes to international
coverage, law firm network referrals are
offering the independents competition
BY JULIUS MELNITZER
THE ENTHUSIASTIC
excitement on the one hand, and naysaying on
the other, that arose when Dentons launched its Nextlaw Global Referral
Network in October 2016 speaks volumes about the evolution and relevance
of the many-headed beast known as a legal network. According to its website:
"Nextlaw Global Referral Network does not charge membership fees and
does not grant territorial monopolies. Clients get more choices so they can
work with their law firm to find the precise right lawyer for their particular
matter. We designed our network using the newest technologies and network
architecture." e technology piece is key; one way or another it will be a key
driver in the development of networks going forward.
e initiative made Dentons the first global firm to establish its own referral
network, and at the time it was quickly dismissed by competitors. "Nextlaw
Global Referral is no different than putting 450 strangers in a room," said Steve
McGarry, President of the Association of International Law Firm Networks
(AILFN). "It does not represent the more than $1 billion spent by real networks
creating real relationships over two decades."
But Nextlaw is free. Members don't have to pay to join these "450 strangers,"
which represent more than 25,000 lawyers in 180 countries. at makes
Nextlaw the largest legal referral network in the world by number of member
firms and lawyers, outstripping Lex Mundi's 21,000 lawyers in 160 firms,
and TerraLex, which counts 19,000 lawyers under its umbrella. Nextlaw
also dwarfs other traditional networks including e World Services Group
and the Many
The
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK