42 LEXPERT MAGAZINE
|
OCTOBER 2017
Similarly, Lex Mundi is more than a
network in name only. "ere are annual
members' meetings, regional events and
considerable social contact," Granatstein
says. As well, the organization provides
guidance on best practices, to the point of
having a resident consultant on hand.
Networks also provide varying degrees
of infrastructure and continuing educa-
tion. Some even help manage the RFP pro-
cess. "Meritas is a very proactive organiza-
tion that doesn't just sit back and provide
an administrative structure," Prasad says.
"e level of collaboration in a network
certainly doesn't go to the level that you
find in an integrated firm, but that's not a
failing because that's not the intent."
Last but certainly not least are the qual-
ity assurance standards that most networks
formulate and enforce. Because Lex Mun-
Indeed, Prasad believes that independent
networks can have a uniformity of culture
and provide many benefits that global law
firms or vereins can, including shared val-
ues and goals. "We're not just about send-
ing clients to particular firms," she says.
"Meritas was formed to ensure that clients
will be working with like-minded referrals
with whom they can feel comfortable."
At regional and other meetings, Meri-
tas members strategize about best prac-
tices, how they can help each other, and
how they can engage beyond just making
referrals. "Referrals will always be a goal,
but they are just one of our goals," she says.
"We strongly believe in face-to-face meet-
ings and, in furtherance of that, we have re-
gional, annual and other meetings, and our
chairs travel around the world to meet with
as many firms as possible."
di, for example, has a rigorous vetting pro-
cess, membership ensures that clients will
receive like-quality service from Blakes'
outbound referrals. "e vetting is an on-
going process," Granatstein says. "We've
bounced firms out and replaced them with
better lawyers."
As global entities permeate Canada,
then, networks have become important to
firms of all sizes that want to maintain in-
dependence. "Network members are firms
who don't want to be part of global organi-
zations' massive machines but still want to
have an international reach," Kallish says.
And if Nextlaw is any indication, they'll be
important to the giants, too.
From a client perspective, that translates
into choice. Surely that's a good thing.
Julius Melnitzer is a freelance
legal-affairs writer in Toronto.
ELLIOTT PORTNOY DENTONS
"Unless a firm has previously worked with our firm or worked with a client,
it doesn't get in to Nextlaw. But that's not as limiting as it sounds, because
in 2016 alone, before we built the network, we had to send work to over
1,000 law firms around the world."
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