Keep me logged in until I sign out. The rise of globalism presents many challenges to corporate legal departments. Counsel must now learn to cope with a wide diversity of legal and business customs in unfamiliar jurisdictions. Thanks to law firm listings such as Martindale-Hubbell and West Legal Directory,corporate counsel soon learn that identifying law firms in new areas is not a daunting task. The real challenge is determining which firms they can trust with their work,especially when they don't have the luxury of meeting and evaluating every unfamiliar firm in a new jurisdiction.
Lawyers hiring other lawyers like to hire people they know.
Yet this strategy is feasible only for the largest firms and even then, frequently unsuccessful. Since the early 1990's the number of law firm networks has risen to more than 200, representing 2,000 law firms and some 250,000 attorneys. Network membership allows independent, medium-sized law firms to compete with the megalaw firms. The firm can offer clients access to the expertise of the entire network of firms, in addition to providing the cost-efficiency and personal service on which they have built their reputation. Some independent law firm networks also have the advantage of offering access to indigenous counsel who have solid experience in the markets they serve and understand not only local business practices, but also the subtleties of cross-cultural transactions.