AN INTRODUCTION TO WORLD LINK FOR LAW

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Milton Joseph
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1 AN INTRODUCTION TO WORLD LINK FOR LAW We are a leading international network of law firms. Our aim is to help businesses achieve their international commercial objectives by providing relevant legal solutions. Our members offer a broad range of legal services, with the reassurance of an established quality code. We provide a powerful legal team for single or multiple cross-border transactions.

2 Overview Established in 1989 as Euro-Link for Lawyers Changed name to World Link for Law in 2004, due to wider international expansion Currently: 70 independent member law firms; 350 partners; 700 lawyers in 47 countries worldwide; and 80 offices. Combined turnover c. 100m GBP ($140mUS; 120m) Mostly medium sized member firms with international clients Focused on providing commercial legal work

lawyers in 47 countries worldwide; and 80 offices. Combined turnover c.

3 Main legal services Based on our regular members research, we know that most our members offer skills in the following areas of law: Company law and formations Mergers & acquisitions, disposals, cross border transactions, joint ventures, contract law Agency and distribution agreements, leasing and licensing Intellectual property and trademarks Tax law Commercial litigation Debt recovery

disposals, cross border transactions, joint ventures, contract law Agency and distribution

4 Core legal services.and also. E-commerce law Competition law Commercial property/real estate Employment/labor law Maritime law We have a central database of specific legal skills (e.g. debt recovery ) according to each member firm, its geographic location - naming specific contact partners.

Employment/labor law Maritime law We have a central database of specific

5 Core market sectors Based on our regular members research we know that many our members offer skills in the following market sectors: Information technology Transport and distribution Shipping Automotive Retail and distribution Also, we have a central database of the top 20 or 30 clients of each member firm classified, not by name, but by market sector and geographic location. Currently in this Client Database Initiative, there are over 600 records. The purpose is to provide the possibility of cross border business collaboration between clients of World Link for Law member law firms.

each member firm classified, not by name, but by market sector and geographic location.

6 The World Link for Law Quality Code Regulates general standards: ethical rules and qualities expected; it is binding between members Regulates internal relations: e.g. responsiveness to requests for information about a member Regulates referrals Initial confirmation/engagement letter provision of brief Detailed and accurate explanation of processes, communications and reporting between the referring member, the referee and the client; and billing methods Post matter client questionnaire form

7 General structure of the Association Registered as an Association in Switzerland - owned by the members Constitutional Rules & Regulations Board of Directors (unpaid) comprising an elected representative from member firms 3 year tenure. Currently 13 members from 10 countries Executive (unpaid) President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Consultant + Board member for quality UK based bank accounts in Sterling

8 General structure of the Association Annual accounts and annual budget prepared (in & ) ) for approval at the Annual General Assembly (linked to the annual conference) Administration & marketing service Regional centre firms in Hong Kong, São S o Paulo & Chicago (for regional contact, coordination ad marketing)

annual conference) Administration & marketing service Regional centre firms

9 Key features of the Association Comprehensive web site secure Members Zone Special Interest Groups e.g. tax law and intellectual property Brochure for members available in printed or electronic form Membership certificates provided Client Database Initiative (also a website Precedent Bank for members (e.g. managing director contracts) contributed by members, for members

form Membership certificates provided Client Database Initiative (also a website www.

10 Key features of the Association Regular communications and ideas from the Administration Service at least once per month Database of members skills and contact partners Internal products /reference documents e.g. a Mergers and Acquisitions Due Diligence Checklist, an Agency and Distribution Agreements Checklist, a Cross-Border Contract Checklist; cross- border licensing checklist Precedent bank Annual marketing plan and marketing budget Members research of opinions and future direction / tactics - every two years

a Mergers and Acquisitions Due Diligence Checklist, an Agency and Distribution Agreements Checklist, a Cross-Border Contract

11 Key features of the Association Former alliance with an international accountancy firm association investigating new options Conferences/regional meetings focussed on good practice management techniques, business information, developing internal resources and enhanced working together tactics Encourage staff exchange programmes

on good practice management techniques, business information, developing internal

12 How do we recruit new members? Often by recommendation of existing members Contacting identified firms Detailed application form/questionnaire information about: partners, lawyers, office locations, legal skills, IT systems, financial performance, quality standards, insurances etc References taken Personal visit, or invited to attend conference, or a nearby meeting

application form/questionnaire information about: partners, lawyers, office locations,

13 The nature of membership Annual fee based on number of partners single or multiple offices can join First year membership fee discount No referral fees or similar commission structures or payments to the centre Membership is not contractual, but we ask for commitments to certain obligations e.g. must abide by our quality code; attend conferences; participate in initiatives; and support/work together with other members in client tender situations

is not contractual, but we ask for commitments to certain obliga

14 How does the network market itself? Web site optimisation employ internet marketing company Web site sponsorship deals with Google Unique site visitors c.1200 per week Receive about 6 membership enquiries per month; and 20 registrations for newsletters and other information per month Advertising in directories and international business media Client development and new business development tactics and reference documents provided for members Various support materials and information for members e.g. business newsletters; promotional branded pens, mouse pads and drinks coasters; advice on signatures; and business development advice

and international business media Client development and new business development tactics and reference documents provided for members Various support materials

15 Conferences & meetings 3 days, April June time (2 conference days Thursday and Friday) + social events Members select locations at earlier conference must be in a location of an existing member Rotated around the world. Recent conferences in Istanbul, Bucharest, Buenos Aires, Boston, Athens, Sydney and Moscow Cost to attend, but partly subsidised by the Association discounts for prospective members

16 Conferences & meetings Topics: International business law; sharing practice management issues + various social events for delegates and spouses Linked to the Association s s Annual General Assembly Includes Special Interest Group meetings e.g. IP or Tax law (Regional Meetings; if required at other times of the year) See a recent post conference review in the Conference pages of our web site

Assembly Includes Special Interest Group meetings

17 WE THINK LOCAL, ACT GLOBAL & WE THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL

Brand Finance. Valoriser sa marque M. Gregory LINN. 25 th April 2008. des PME et des start-up

Brand Finance. Valoriser sa marque M. Gregory LINN. 25 th April 2008. des PME et des start-up Brand Finance Valoriser sa marque M. Gregory LINN Les petits-déjeuners des PME et des start-up 25 th April 2008 Who is Brand Finance? Brand Finance is an independent consultancy focused on the management