Building a Unitary Merged Firm: Dynamic Teaming & Abe Maslow!
What does it take to make an integration process of two law firms really “sing”? Why are many mergers so challenged at realizing synergies, building a unitary operating model and culture, and acting upon a single set of external priorities? In fairness, all firms have problems with these issues: fulfilling their commitment to autonomy tends […]
Law Firm Marriages
I’m spending time with many firms these days that seem to be really interested in “combining,” partnering up, or at least acquiring groups of great lateral partners. Apart from the conventional observation that these efforts to juice up growth “inorganically” often mask failed efforts to grow “organically” (i.e., acquiring new clients!), aspirations typically reflect some […]
The Swiss Verein – Time for a Closer Look
The Swiss Verein structure, so commonly used between firms that align within countries, or between countries, has recently received some searching analysis. This arose through the problems experienced by King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), a Swiss Verein (SV), and its relatively young European operation, also a SV, which resulted in KWM EUME being dissolved and […]
Mergers & Strategic Alliances – What Should Law Firms Expect out of Synergies in India?
There is no doubt that law firm mergers are trending like never before. One may examine the reasons why. Is it a strategy to grow numbers in terms of turnover? Is it sending a message of larger technical expertise and bandwidth? Is it a part of strategy to outsmart competition? In this article, we talk […]
Acquisitions as an Exit Strategy in Indian Law Firms
For most businesses in India as elsewhere, acquisitions are seen as a tool to further growth and diversification. For law firms as well, acquisitions are often seen as a method by which the acquiring firm is able to venture into new practice areas while achieving cost synergies brought on by the increased scale of operation. […]
Fragmentation v Consolidation in Indian Law Firms
Competition is the driving force that rules fragmentation and consolidation of law firms in India. Fragmentation and consolidation should ideally perform a three-fold function that mitigates risks in the legal services realm and gives sustainable protection to clients, public interests and law firms themselves. While a fragmented market and a consolidated market may present different […]