Category: Law Practice Management
Remaking Law Firms: Why and How: New book provides invaluable guidance for law firm leaders
A new book entitled Remaking Law Firms: Why and How shows BigLaw firm leaders why they must start their remaking journey now and then sets out the ways in which change can be made and the tools to use. Authored by Dr George Beaton and Dr Imme Kaschner, […]
Australian legal startup Bulletpoints disrupts legal education by centralising CPD in one online portal
The Asia-Pacific region legal startup ecosystem is rich with examples of entrepreneurial zeal applied to the legal services sector — with a number based in Australia — including LawPath, LegalVision and Crowd & Co. That ecosystem also includes Bulletpoints — an online service for legal professionals to […]
Demand for legal services continues to globalize
The demand for legal services is continuing to globalize, according to a recent report published by Managing Partner Forum and coauthored by Citi Private Bank and Hildebrandt Consulting. “The more global nature of legal work has particularly aided Am Law 50 firms”, the report concludes, “even […]
What opportunity do law firm mergers in Asia create for foreign law firms?
Local law firms in China remain the most attractive merger partners in Asia for foreign law firms, according to Hong Kong-based Ben Cooper, Managing Director, GRMExecutive. Cooper outlines the reasons why these mergers remain so attractive in this interview: What opportunity do law firm mergers in Asia create […]
Some BigLaw firms in Asia are rushing to emulate NewLaw
Some BigLaw firms in Asia are rushing to emulate New Law, according to a recent article by John Knox, Managing Director, Asia of leading NewLaw firm AdventBalance. In recent months, as Knox outlines, “a growing number of traditional law firms including Eversheds (Agile) and Allen & Overy (Peerpoint) are […]
Australian law firm Legal Vision is generating 20 new customer leads per day from their blog
Australian online law firm LegalVision is generating 20 new customer leads per day from their inbound content strategy, according to their CEO and Founder Lachlan McKnight. McKnight outlined the firm’s strategy in an interview this week with the Australasian Law Practice Management Association (ALPMA). The interview was […]
Legal Innovation takes center stage in Asia-Pacific
The months of July and August have seen a flurry of conferences and news coverage dedicated to legal innovation in the Asia-Pacific legal markets. And this trend will continue into September. Here’s a list of what’s happened so far and what’s coming next: On July 30th, […]
Acritas publishes the second annual Asia Pacific Law Firm Brand Index
UK-based market research firm Acritas has just published the second annual Asia-Pacific Law Firm Brand Index, with Baker & McKenzie placing first – and King & Wood Mallesons, Herbert Smith Freehills, Norton Rose Fullbright, and Kim & Chang rounding out the top 5. As Acritas outlined […]
For some foreign law firms, not being in Asia is an Asia strategy
Another foreign law firm has chosen to not maintain a physical presence in Asia – while instead focusing on foreign direct investment from Asia into the jurisdictions where they practice. This strategy is employed by firms primarily as a means to secure work around Asia’s growing […]
More Asia law firms add consulting services
News last week that Singapore-based RHTLaw Taylor Wessing (@RHTLawTW) had bolstered its consulting practices underscores a trend that appears to be gaining significant pace in international legal markets. The RHT Group of Companies, which are wholly owned companies of RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP, now have consulting divisions ranging from […]
Law firms turn to strategy directors for competitive advantage
In recent months two international law firms with operations in the Asia-Pacific region have appointed directors of strategy with the aim to gaining competitive advantage in crowded and competitive legal markets. In May, global law firm Baker & McKenzie appointed Julia Hayhoe Global Director, Strategy Implementation. […]
For foreign law firms expanding in Asia – Hong Kong or Singapore?
For foreign law firms eyeing the possibility of expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, a fundamental question is often: Should we open in Singapore or Hong? The two cities are key financial centers in the region and often serve as regional headquarters for foreign law firms here. […]
South Korea considers reversing course on legal market liberalization
In 2011 and 2012 respectively, the European Union (EU) and the United States entered into bilateral Free-Trade Agreements (FTA’s) with South Korea. The aim of those agreements was to increase bilateral trade and investment between Korea, the EU and the US. The agreements span a wide […]
Legal Leaders Asia Forum: A preview Q&A with Nick Seddon of Beaton Capital
The 2nd Legal Leaders Asia Forum is set to take place March 24-25, 2015 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hong Kong. The event will provide an opportunity for both international and independent law firms already established in Asia. Or with an eye towards the path to […]
Are public listings a path to global success for Asia’s law firms?
Singapore-based RHTLaw Taylor Wessing. One of Asia’s law firms has announced plans to publicly list a company offering a suite of professional services. On the Catalist Board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) in the first quarter of 2016. According to a recent report in Channel News […]
Law Firm Sales Team vs ‘Salesy’ Fee Earners
Recently, I visited a law firm partner whose firm has great ambitions for 2015. Namely, this prominent Legal 500 firm plans to turn all or most of their fee earners into sales force. Naturally, this firm aims to continue to grow in the coming years. And […]
Asia’s Legal Leaders to gather in Hong Kong, March 24-25, 2015
The 2nd Legal Leaders Asia Forum is set to take place March 24-25, 2015 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hong Kong. The event will provide an opportunity for both international and independent law firms already established in Asia or with an eye towards the path to […]
For international law firms, China alone does not make an Asia Strategy
In February 8, Asia Law Portal’s Twitter feed (@AsiaLawPortal) – tweeted an announcement from international law firm Norton Rose (@NLegal_Global). That they’d added an Asia section to their Financial Services Regulation Blog. Richard Smith (RWS_01). The Australia-based legal business development professional responded to that tweet with […]
Can the Big4 accounting firms defeat BigLaw in Asia?
There are many documents about the entry of the Big4 accounting firms into the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets. The most recent move of note was PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) beginning to offer legal advice in Tokyo beginning last November. Australia’s Beaton Capital traces the history of large accounting firms presence in […]
Asia-Pacific Region General Counsel: Their preferences when selecting outside counsel
Sydney-based legal business development professional Richard Smith (@RWS_01) has outlined in a blogpost this week. They discuss what Asia-Pacific Region In-House Lawyers are looking for from their outside counsel. Smith based his post on an article by “Legal Week’s Elizabeth Broomhall (@ELBroomhall) [who] wrote up a very succinct account […]
PwC poised for success in the Japanese legal market
“PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has launched a legal services arm in Japan” – as Elizabeth Broomhall (@ELBroomhall) reported last week in Legal Week. “The big four accounting firm began providing legal advice in Tokyo [in November] debuting with one partner offering local law advice and focusing on corporate and […]
Chinese law firms a focus of Israel’s 2nd Foreign Law Firms conference
Chinese law firms and China-Israel bi-lateral trade and investment will be a major focus of Israel’s 2nd Foreign Law Firms conference. The conference will be on Dec 9th in Tel Aviv. Organized by the Tel-Aviv District of the Israel Bar Association led by Adv. Efi Nave […]
Foreign law firms facing unique challenges in Asia
As has been widely reported, the Asia-Pacific region has become the new focus of attention for international law firms. At the same time, international competition in the region is accelerating. The recently published book: A Comprehensive Guide to the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets — outlines challenges (as […]
Wolters Kluwer Hong Kong: Making law readily accessible on one online platform with PrimeLaw
The idea that “The law should be readily accessible” lies “at the heart of the development” of PrimeLaw — Wolters Kluwer Hong Kong’s major product in the making for the past year — according to Chloe Lau, Head of Publishing and Product Development for the company. […]
New Report: “Rapid evolution facing Asia-Pacific’s law firms”
According to a new report authored by Dr George Beaton and Eric Chin of Australia’s Beaton Capital — which appears in the new book: A Comprehensive Guide to the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets — the indigenous law firms in Asia for its regions face a rapidly evolving […]
K&L Gates Asia-Pacific Strategy: A Report
An exclusive report by US-based international law firm K&L Gates on its Asia-Pacific Strategy are among the highlights of a new book by this author, namely “A Comprehensive Guide to the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets“. Integral to the book was the participation of the region’s lawyers in […]
New book provides “A Comprehensive Guide to the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets”
A new book entitled A Comprehensive Guide to the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets has just been published. Authored by this writer and published by London-based Ark Group, the book begins with an introduction analyzing whether projections for dramatic growth in the region are realistic. Some of the […]
Mayer Brown launches Asia trade consulting arm in Singapore
International law firm Mayer Brown, one of the world’s 22nd largest law firms in Asia, has launched an Asia trade consulting arm in Singapore, according to a media release issued by the firm last week. Richard Smith (RWS_01), Australian business development professional, also noted the event […]
New research outlines Asia-Pacific regional opportunities for international law firms
Eric Chin (@EricJYChin), Senior Analyst to the professions at Beaton Capital in Melbourne has just published new research about international law firms in the Asia Pacific region. As Chin frames: “The Asian Century is upon us. And from many…accounts, this is also true for professional service law […]
Exploring the Impact of Global LPO on the Business Landscape
The global market of Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) was estimated to be USD 13.2 Bn in 2022. And the expectations are to reach USD 134.7 Bn by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 29.6% from 2023 to 2032, according to a report published by Market.us. Legal firms […]
The Asian Legal Marketplace by 2025
Dear law or pre-law students in Asia, Many of you reading this post decided to become the best lawyers in Asia or enter the legal profession based on only the vaguest notions of what the practice of law is actually like. It is perhaps a notion […]
Japanese law firms continue Asia expansion drive
Japan’s top law firms are continuing an Asia expansion drive in an effort to assist Japanese companies in their expansion drive in the region – as well as to capture market share from high growth economies in China and the ASEAN region. In January, The Global […]
Five critical strategies for US law firms to succeed in Asia
Professional services providers around the world have much opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region – should they approach the market with 5 critical actions, according to a new report by Eric Chin, Senior Analyst at Beaton Capital in Australia. Chin first outlines 5 key opportunities for professional […]
Asia-Pacific legal social media pioneers of Conventus Law celebrate 2 years in business
Hong Kong-based digital legal pioneers at Conventus Law marked their second year in business with a celebratory event at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum on January 22, 2014. Conventus law is digital media platform designed to connect the Asia-Pacific legal community with business leaders from around the […]
When Will NewLaw Firms Be Relevant In Asia?
With the NewLaw business model gathering pace in many developed economies it’s time to ask ‘When will NewLaw firms be relevant in Asia? To date the spread of the many types of NewLaw firms has been mainly confined to north America, the UK and Australia. When will […]
US law firms likely to continue to follow clients to Asia
Anthony Lin, writing in The Asian Lawyer last week, outlined the prospects for American law firms in Asia for the foreseeable future. Lin’s predicts that the Asian marketplace will continue to grow, continue to attract US business, and hence continue to attract American law firms that […]
Asia-Pacific M&A activity high, characterized by intra-regional deals
LegalWeek.com reported this week that “Deal flow and value in the Asia Pacific, excluding Japan, last year soared to its highest level since 2001, according to new data from Mergermarket. The region saw 2,577 deal announcements in 2013 compared with 2,297 in 2012, marking a year-on-year […]
US law firms in renewed focus on Asia market
DLA Piper and Duane Morris have in recent months both initiated new drives to capture more work out of the Asia-Pacific region. Last December, DLA Piper announced “the appointment of [a] new three-strong Asia advisory committee…designed to create more synergies between the firm’s US and Asia […]
It’s Time for Large Firms to Look Over the Horizon
A recent London-based publication carried a range of opinions about the shape and destiny of large law firms in 2018. For partners in these firms articles such as these can’t make it comfortable to read. But I think they miss the real point by not looking […]
Pointers to change and Opportunities for law firms in Hong Kong
This post is based on recent research that provides pointers to change and opportunities for law firms in Hong Kong. Much is changing in the Hong Kong legal profession. Our research amongst law firms and their clients reveals several insightful trends. This post is the first […]
U.S. Law Firms Facing Competitive Challenges in China
As Yun Kriegler outlined recently in The Lawyer, after spending ten years in Asia, U.S. law firm Vinson & Elkins decided to close its Shanghai office. In July 2013, the Houston-based firm announced that it will shut down its three-partner office to consolidate its China practice […]
How to find clients for your new law practice
If you are just about to start your first law firm/practice, one of the first questions probably is how to approach potential clients and get them on board. The principles laid out below, proven and borrowed from the start-up world, are also applicable if you are […]
Foreign law firms “flying into” Singapore
Singapore’s central location in the high-growth ASEAN region, it’s status as a safe financial hub and the increasing ease by which foreign firms can access the country, has led to a recent increase in the influx of foreign law firms. Read more: Will Hong Kong’s law firms […]
US law firms set their sights on Asia
Phil Bolton of Global Atlanta reported yesterday that “With its acquisition of a California firm completed and the opening of a new office in Korea, the law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP will be increasingly committed to international work and focusing even more intently on […]
Will Hong Kong’s law firms adapt to new competition?
LegalWeek.com reported this week that Australia-based fixed-fee law firm AdventBalance “has brought its unconventional business model to Hong Kong with the opening of an office in the city”. The firm “seconds senior lawyers to clients’ offices for specific projects and transactions; agreeing a fixed payable amount for the […]
Malaysian legal market opening to foreign firms
As Star Online reported from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Parliament — The Dewan Rakyat — passed the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill of 2012, which will soon allow foreign lawyers to open offices and practice law in Malaysia. What practices will foreign law firms be permitted to establish? Lee […]
Hong Kong, China gateway: An interview with Deacons Executive Partner, Jeremy Lam
Hong Kong is both a gateway into China, but also as a conduit for Chinese outbound foreign investment. As the China Daily reported recently, echoing a sentiment expressed earlier this year by Deacons Executive Partner Jeremy Lam in an interview in BusinessWeek. During the first half of […]
India’s legal industry growing rapidly
India’s legal services industry is growing at a rate of approximately 40% per year, according to a report by Daisy Khanna, of KPO Consultants, a New Delhi-based consulting company which provides business solutions exclusively to the Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) industry. While driven in large part […]
Opportunities for law firms in US-Korea trade
The Inter-Pacific Bar Association Annual Meeting begins tomorrow in Seoul – and this provides a good opportunity to outline what opportunities exist for lawyers in Korea and the US to capitalize upon the growing bilateral trade relationship between the two countries. Some background Just over one […]
Chinese law firm Yingke enters the Israeli legal market
The Lawyer magazine (UK) has reported that Chinese law firm Yingke has entered the newly liberalized Israeli legal market. The Lawyer reported that Yingke “merged with Israeli boutique firm Eyal Khayat Zolty, Neiger & Co, for its first step into the jurisdiction. The local firm has rebranded itself […]