30 Mar Groups join forces to support solicitors in post-LSA environment
Two leading and long-established law firm membership groups have joined forces to provide their law firm clients with access to increased support in the post Legal Services Act environment.
360 Legal Group, which specialises in law firm management, structure and merger will provide acquisition and merger support to member firms of LawNet, a mutual and member-owned group which comprises independent law firms with between 6 and 39 partners and operates the legal market’s largest PI scheme. LawNet will reciprocate by providing 360 Legal Group members and clients with valuable support in quality, risk management and specialist training. Both sets of members will benefit from greater access to a large pool of potential merger partners, increased training, conference, event and networking opportunities and a vast choice of consultancy services.
Whilst both organisations will remain totally independent in their operations, they will be looking at ways to share resources, services and contacts to the benefit of their members. The organisations serve different audiences – with 360 Legal Group primarily working with progressive small to medium-sized law firms and LawNet working with mainly heavyweight independent firms – but both agree that there is huge potential to work more closely.
John Thomas, Chief Executive of LawNet says: “We are different organisations but both aim to ensure our members stay ahead of the competition, reduce costs, improve efficiencies and enhance profitability and we believe we can be stronger together. Working collaboratively, whilst retaining our individual identities, ensures our members enjoy the best of both worlds – the membership benefits and support they have always enjoyed, but with access to a greater level of contacts and services.”
“LawNet has built its reputation through the exacting standards placed on member firms, and is well aligned with our values here at 360 Legal Group, to be innovative, ambitious and forward-thinking.” adds 360 Legal Group Chief Executive Viv Williams.
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“As the legal sector consolidates there will be merger, ABS and private equity opportunities for many. Others are looking to raise their game and build their business around “Brand Solicitor”. By sharing our expertise, knowledge and best practice we can offer an unrivalled level of support to help all members achieve their ambitions.”
Benefits to members are already being realised with LawNet firms taking part in 360 Legal Group’s February Merger and Consolidation Summit. The organisations are now focusing on new packages for those seeking to buy, sell or merge.
ENDS
Background Notes to Editors:
About 360 Legal Group:
Founded in July 2004, 360 Legal Group has become the largest membership organisation for legal businesses in the UK, growing steadily over the years in response to a growing need for efficiency and business skills amongst its members and the legal profession as a whole. It provides marketing, management and strategy solutions for law firms, helping lawyers to manage and market their practices more successfully as businesses, differentiate themselves from local competitors and overcome the challenges facing the profession. The Group also specialises in the merger and acquisition of legal practices.
Through its dedicated business consultancy service delivered through a nationwide team of advisors, 360 Legal Group further helps its clients on a one-to-one basis to recognise the sweeping changes being introduced by The Legal Services Act, understand the difficult and fast changing trading conditions in which law firms now operate and explore how to take advantage of forthcoming deregulation.
360 Legal Group members access free SRA authorised CPD seminars for an unlimited number of staff as part of membership, which starts from under £30 per month. Membership also includes a free practice review which revisits and updates business plans and objectives, an annual benchmarking report to enable members to get an overview of their organisation’s performance against other member practices, a quarterly e-zine to inform members about trends and developments in the legal sector, a telephone helpline and discounts of at least 20 per cent on all of 360 Legal Group’s consultancy services.
360 Legal Group, Tel: 01275 465540 Visit: www.360legalgroup.co.uk
For further information please contact:
Jacqui Southway Viv Williams
Jacqueline Southway PR 360 Legal Group
Tel: 01454 201869 / 07747 804703 Tel: 01275 465540 / 07879 999274
About LawNet:
The combined income of the 67 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £15m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, business development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Each year LawNet delivers over 60 CPD accredited learning events at venues throughout the UK, covering a wide range of technical legal updates, practice management and business development topics, including a leading-edge strategic leadership and management development programme. All the learning days are CPD accredited, many are provided as a free service within membership, and the member-defined programme ensures that topics tackle key issues affecting that particular area of practice.
All LawNet firms must achieve ISO 9001:2008 LawNet Quality Standard certification within two years of joining, and securing and maintaining that accreditation is a condition of membership. Through a unique agreement with the Law Society, firms can also secure and hold the Lexcel practice management standard and benefit from a simplified dual auditing process for the two marks, with the independent assessment delivered through LawNet.
Twitter: @LawNetUK Blog: http://thelawnetblog.wordpress.com/
For further information about LawNet, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk