Wired GC

law from the inside out

Archives for April 2011

Hyatt Legal Services Comes to the UK?

The Guardian in the UK has an interesting story about Quality Solicitors, a fast-growing legal “chain” of law firms.

As writer Jon Robins explains, Quality Solicitors is more of a “network,” and:

… is arguably the first-ever legal services “brand”, complete with distinctive shopfronts for its 170 branches, supported by a national television campaign and its promise of a better deal for consumers (“free first consultation… no hidden costs … same-day response … direct lawyer contact…”).

This is clearly more of a consumer play, and (at least for now) not a flanking maneuver on UK’s version of BigLaw (aka the “Magic Circle” and those close on their heels). Corporate observers are following it closely, however, in advance of the coming reforms in the UK which will permit non-lawyer ownership of law firms.

So will we see a version of Quality Solicitors on this side of the pond? Well, some of us feel a bit like we have heard this story before. Joel Hyatt founded Hyatt Legal Services back in 1977, and it was heralded as a game-changer. It actually followed the path blazed by Jacoby & Meyers, the first consumer-focused, multi-office law firm that took on the old-line state bar advertising restrictions. And won. (Updated: See the comment of Len Jacoby below to the original version).
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The Legal Pyramid: A Wired GC Seminar

We depart from our usual April Fool’s prank to offer a timely seminar for Wired GC readers.

Our recent discussion about the corporate Legal Pyramid has generated a lot of feedback. There were also a number of issues that didn’t fit into the format. (A two-page PDF of the Legal Pyramid is available here).

So we are using the Legal Pyramid as a first building block in a new seminar series at the Wired GC. It starts on April 7, 2011 at 12 Noon EDT.

Entitled “The Legal Pyramid: Which End is Up?” this hour-long webinar will explain the Wired GC’s Legal Pyramid and how it can help corporate lawyers understand the change confronting law firms and legal departments. This seminar will describe a 7 step process to look honestly at where you are and plan for the next wave of change in the corporate legal market.

The seminar is complementary for Wired GC readers, but space is limited. It is very simple to register; just click here to claim your virtual seat.

Or you can go right to the registration page by clicking on the pyramid:

If you can’t make the seminar, just subscribe to Wired GC – Select (top right of page, “Subscribe“), we will send you a summary of the seminar later this month.