All networks are not alike.  Interlaw is recognized globally as a top tier legal network, and international commercial publications consistently include Interlaw in the “best of” legal network round-ups.   The often-quoted attributes include:

• The confidence of corporate counsel that Interlaw has rigorously vetted prospective members for quality, highest professional standards, and reputation for client responsiveness and service;  
• Personal relationships that are fostered throughout the network, building  trust among members and assuring a professional investment to assure satisfied clients;
• The Annual Survey that monitors the quality of our member firm’s legal work for Interlaw clients, referral activities, and encourages an interactive peer review for the satisfaction of professional standards. 

The Annual Survey is valuable to the Association because it measures members’ satisfaction for initiatives designed to add value to membership, and provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and suggestions.  

Both the Board of Directors and the Secretariat take seriously the responses to the Annual Survey, communiqués, and delegate responses at regional break out sessions (see Chair’s Report).  This year 88% of firms responded, including 100% of the firms from Asia Pacific, 91% from Latin America, and 86% from Europe/Middle East/Africa.  Only thirteen of seventeen firms from North America filed responses in time for calculation and presentations.  To expedite the survey process for our responders, and as part of the Interlaw website upgrade, a beta version of an online survey was offered in 2004 and will be refined to final version in the future.  Here are the results of the Survey for the period of July 1, 2003- June 30 2004:

Referral Activity Satisfaction with the Work of Fellow Members

Interlawyers rated satisfaction for their fellow Interlawyers’ performance for their referred clients in the categories of   “Quality of Work” and “Responsiveness and Timeliness” at 4.7 on a 5 point scale.  Fee generation was up 3.5% from the same period last year, representing a 35% increase in number of matters referred.     

For the first time in recent history, in a pilot program for business development, the Secretariat itself became a referral source (actively engaged in introducing Interlaw to global clients) and tracked the results.  More than USD $80,000 in legal fees from Secretariat- referred matters were reported by individual firms.  The pilot program will be expanded in 2005.

Asia Pacific Interlaw firms report an increase of 160% in the number of inbound matters.  More than half-- some 57% -- of the matters came from Interlaw firms within Asia Pacific.  Ten of the eleven Latin America firms reported, noting a 49% increase in matters referred, with exactly half coming from within Latin America.  A 35% increase in matters referred inbound was reported from firms in Europe/Middle East/Africa. Following the worldwide trend, nearly 80% of the referrals reported by North America member firms was inter-regional, prompting

Members’ Priorities

Interlawyers were asked to prioritize the value of Interlaw to their firm over the past year.  The top five factors in order of importance:

• Client satisfaction when referring work
• Ability to respond to Clients’ cross-border legal needs
• Incoming referrals
• Raising the firm profile
• Ability to create cross-jurisdictional business opportunities

As for future focus, Interlawyers were asked to prioritize value added to their participation in 2005.  Again, the top four “wish list” in order of importance:

• Introduce global companies to member firms
• Create speaking opportunities for members before potential clients
• Media coverage
• Law firm management programs

And finally, we asked Interlawyers what they would like to see improved.  Our web presence had not been updated for some years, so the Secretariat has undertaken an enhancement to be rolled-out in 1Q 2005, without a special membership fee assessment.

Action

The Board of Directors and the Secretariat studied the trends reflected in the survey.  Chair Jim Harrowell has appointed a task force to pilot a fee enhancement program. The Secretariat has launched a business development project that will include platform opportunities for Interlawyers on panels with or before potential clients, and will use that as a launching point for additional media coverage.   And at least one regional meeting in 2005 will include curricula for law firm management.     

The Board of Directors and the Secretariat welcome your participation in 2005.