Legal Support

Working with fellow professionals profitably-flexibility is key

OUTSOURCING-HELPING THE NICHE FIRM

Business Lawyers (BL) often provides legal services to clients of other firms and those of other professions of various backgrounds, sizes and locations. We know that law firms are increasingly becoming more specialised in their key areas of technical expertise and consequently many seek to exploit a particular niche through highly focused services. As a result it is no longer possible to provide a wide variety of service offerings unless there is sufficient client work and capability to deal with that work. Wisely such practises decide to outsource in an appropriate manner to Business Lawyers-the legal practice focusing on SME legal matters- leaving the law firm to concentrate on the niche in question. A referral or reciprocal referral scheme may be agreed in such situations.

ACTING AS ADVISER TO LAW FIRMS

Some firms have instructed BL in the past to act as their lawyers, effectively asking us to provide them for example with a bespoke company commercial or employment law advisory service to their business. Property law or probate partners for example can find themselves dealing with a corporate matter outside of their “comfort zone” of expertise. In such circumstances it is more convenient, time efficient and risk management friendly to appoint BL as advisers on the matter in which BL advices the firm how to proceed. Areas covered include employment, IT and IP law as well as company secretarial services.

AGENCY AND SUB-CONTRACTING

Other law firms go further and ask BL to take over the handling of their non-core area entirely which might be the legal area in totality or on a project to project basis only. In this scenario we act as your agents or sub-contractors for which you actively manage and take responsibility. For instance we can act as court agent in commercial litigation matters if the case is transferred to a local county court near one of our offices or lawyers in Bucks or Berks. Your firm would be able to charge a reasonable management fee for time spent as part of this package.

CONSULTANCY AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSHIP ROLES

For businesses and legal practises it can make sense appointing BL as a legal consultant or non-executive director to your business. These are service offerings that can enhance both parties’ reputations and marketing power. The advantage for the smaller legal practise is that our lawyers would appear as direct consultant members of your firm and/or team and would utilise your firm’s letterheads and business cards as you decide. We would agree a basic retainer model fee structure to cover routine matters and an additional model for specific projects/transactions. This again is flexible to suit your needs and would be based on a percentage of the hourly or fixed fee rate charged to your client. This agreement would be backed up by adequate non-solicitation provisions to ensure client and staff protection to both businesses.

We also act in Joint Venture projects with similarly minded businesses-see here for one example of a “one stop shop” that focuses on start up solutions. In particular at present we are looking for an HR consultant with whom we can work.

REFERRALS-BENEFITING US BOTH

Alternately legal practises are happy to pass on work to us-and us to them- when too busy or when the matter is beyond their expertise or niche knowledge. BL often receives referrals and introductions from third parties for which it pays a referral fee in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Rules. Being entrepreneurially minded we appreciate some business will want to act as affiliates or resellers and appropriate terms can be negotiated and agreed by consent.

OUR GROWING NETWORK

BL works with other legal professionals constructively-be they in-house lawyers, solicitors, barristers, paralegals, ILEX’s or chartered company secretaries to develop a dynamic network of businesses that share the BL ethos and “can do” approach to business.

When BL itself does not have the expertise to deal with a matter –which is rare-it refers to such partner organisations for advice and assistance.

We are keen to expand our growing network of contacts and the expertise on offer and are looking for similarly indeed professionals with whom we can work harmoniously. If you are interested in working with us please do get in touch here.

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