Law firms join forces
A firm of Wigan solicitors is spearheading the launch of a national legal network.
Stephensons has joined forces with a number of other law firms across the UK to create The Legal Alliance (TLA) and are targeting other local law firms to sign them up to the network.
TLA will focus on marketing a wide range of legal services using a shared national brand.
Stephensons is a full-service law practice, providing a range of legal services to both individuals and businesses.
The firm believes that awareness of legal brands is poor among the general public and many people are unable to compare services and make clear distinctions between quality in such a fragmented market.
The Wigan town centre-based firm is looking to attracting new members in the region in order for TLA to offer a nationwide "local" legal service. TLA will then work with major national brands to market legal services to their customer bases and employees.
Each TLA firm will operate in its own exclusive geographical area. Members also receive marketing support, access to group buying power, innovative products and opportunities for shared knowledge and strategic development.
TLA has already forged partnerships with a significant number of affiliates who operate in the consumer finance, insurance and retail sector. It will offer legal services to the customers of these affiliates.
Andrew Welch, partner at Stephensons, said: "We're urging local law firms to join up to this major national network. If traditional law firms don't develop their services in the wake of the Legal Services Act, there is a real risk they will wither on the vine.
"We're aiming to recruit member firms who will deliver legal services to people living within our local community.
"Our research indicates many consumers of legal services prefer to access advice locally. The bulk of the work created by TLA will come from affiliate schemes set up with major players in the consumer, financial, insurance and retail sector. It's all about ensuring local people can still get access to local legal advice.
"We feel that law firms are crying out for this kind of opportunity to ensure they are evolving in the wake of increased competition in the sector as a result of the Legal Services Act."
Heavyweight legal professionals heading up the project are Victor Semmens the former chairman of Eversheds, who now chairs TLA and Ann Alexander, one of the UK's leading clinical negligence lawyers.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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