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World Link for Law
editWorld Link for Law® is a membership based international association of independent law firms [1] comprising 70 law firms in 47 countries worldwide (in 80 office locations). It is classified as an association rather than a network [2] and therefore its members do not share the association’s name, revenue or costs as described in the IFAC code definition (mainly applicable in the accountancy world, but increasingly recognised for legal networks [3] and associations). International law firm networks or associations are generally seen as alternatives to international law firms.
Most World Link for Law member firms have between 10 and 50 lawyers providing corporate and commercial legal services to SME’s (Small and Medium Enterprises) involved in international trade. Its primary purpose is to enable the referral of work between members (supported by a quality code), providing members and their clients with access to the services and support of other law firms overseas. World Link for Law also organises conferences for its member firms’ lawyers, shares practice management ideas and publishes business and legal documentation. Its most recent conferences have been held in Buenos Aires; Bucharest, Istanbul, Boston and Hong Kong.
History:
editCreated in 1989 as ‘Euro-Link for Lawyers’, it is formed as a Swiss ‘society’ in the Canton [4] of Zurich. In 2004, its name was changed from ‘Euro-Link for Lawyers’ to ‘World Link for Law’[5], to reflect its international status and to focus on clients’ objectives ‘for Law’ and international legal solutions, rather than an association simply ‘for Lawyers’ in a club concept.
It is managed by 13 Board Directors from different global jurisdictions, together with a small Executive Committee of 4 Directors. Member firms in Hong Kong and São Paulo act as ‘regional centre firms’, co-ordinating the association’s activities in Asia and South America respectively.
Member firms have worked together to create a Mergers and Acquisitions Due Diligence check list, an Agency and Distribution Agreement Checklist, and have developed an EU based Trademark search service; and an international debt recovery group.
External links:
editOfficial web site: http://www.worldlink-law.com
Martindale.com (Legal Directory): http://www.martindale.com/xp/legal/Professional_Resources/Law_Firm_Associations/E-10.xml
References
edit- ^ “Networks seek new ways to bring value to their members”: International Financial Law Review (ILFR) www.ilfr.com; IBA Daily News – September 29th 2005
- ^ “A crowded marketplace”: IBA Daily News, Conference Singapore, October 18th 2007, www.legalmediagroup.com
- ^ Martindale Directory of Legal Associations and Networks: http://www.martindale.com/xp/legal/Professional_Resources/Law_Firm_Associations/law_firm_associations_index.xml
- ^ Swissworld.org: http://www.swissworld.org/en/politics/general_information/the_cantons/
- ^ “Network rebrands as World Link, April 2004”, Legal Week, UK. http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/news/1175872/network-rebrands-as-world-link