Big global law firms are increasingly feeling the competition from independent or boutique law firm networks, as nearly half of the in-house counsel in a recent survey said they use or intend to use such a network.

The report, “Global Legal Services in a Disruptive World,” was published by ALM/Legal Week in partnership with Interlaw, itself a global law firm network. It was published this February after surveying more than 100 general counsel and senior in-house lawyers across 41 countries. The British publication Legal Week is part of ALM, which also publishes Corporate Counsel.