In considering strategies for the international expansion of law firms, I would like to start with two truisms. First, no UK-headquartered firm with a meaningful client base comprising FTSE 350 companies and major financial institutions can compete today without access to reliable capability in major financial centres outside its home jurisdiction. If you do not have this already, it may be too late to start.
Second, notwithstanding all their investment during the past few years, law firms have not kept pace with the opportunities available to them, and the needs of their clients, in developing consistent international capability. Put another way, there is a heck of a lot more said about seamless service than there is delivered.
