In a move that could make the rivalry between law firms and the BigFive accounting giants even more ferocious, a closely watched American Bar Associationcommission next week will recommend that attorneys be allowed to share fees withnonlawyers, one member said.
The proposal would allow law partnerships to add accountants,consultants and other professionals. It thus drills to the core of a crucial strategicissue facing law firms: how to hold their own against the major accounting firms, whichare increasingly grabbing business from lawyers by offering consulting and quasi-legalservices to their clients.
