Our member firms are professional partnerships, not sole practitioners, providing depth of levels of experience. There are over 350 partners and a further 800 professional staff in World Link for Law member firms. World Link for Law is one of the largest international legal associations in the world with 70 member firms and 82 offices in 50 countries worldwide. The combined individual turnover of all members is approximately £100 million GBP (or €110 million Euros; $130 million USD; or $150 million AUS).
Benefits of membership
Our members say (from internal research) that the benefits of membership are as follows:
- Being able to refer clients to known law firm contacts overseas and to have contacts with law firms all round the world, to serve the needs of our international focussed clients.
- The reassurance of the World Link Quality Code.
- To be able to promote our international capability to clients, other professionals and the business community; similarly to raise our international profile.
- Meeting lawyers as colleagues and friends.
- Introductions to firms in nearby jurisdictions where there is no local World Link member (or for services not provided by a local member).
- To receive referrals and to be involved in more inward international work.
- To increase international experience both as a person and as a professional.
- To become better informed about the legal conditions for doing business or having dealings in specific countries; similarly to obtain local insight and information about foreign nationals from a lawyer of that country.
- Contact with lawyers from other countries helps to understand the thought processes of overseas clients/potential clients.
- Increase/share legal knowledge.
- A network that works together to create initiatives and information/guidance for the benefit of all its members and their clients. For example, we have created a 'Mergers & Acquisitions Due Diligence Checklist; an Agency & Distribution Agreement Checklist; Cross Border Sale of Goods checklist;.
- Members’ skills database and ‘special interest groups’.
Recruitment policy
World Link for Law does not offer exclusivity, but equally it has no desire to create conflict and does not aim to attract a new firm in a country where there is already an existing member. The possible appointment of another member in the same country or region of an existing member depends on many factors - for example the size of the existing firm, the size of the country/economy, regional cultures/languages, legal specialisations, the wishes of other members. The final decision to appoint a new member rests with the Board, but an existing full member must be consulted about the potential appointment of another firm in the country of an existing member and the Board must also consider their views.
A profile document and an application form are available for firms of lawyers who are interested in membership. The profile document provides information on World Link for Law's organisation, structure and annual membership fees. If you would like to receive these please contact ra****@***********aw.com
