Boutique Law Firm Networks

Interesting article in the New York Times -- Some Small Law Firms Find Strength in Numbers, by Karen Donovan.  One wonders if the boutique-law-firm networks could be of use to small plaintiffs firms in coordinating their efforts in a mass tort.  Here's an excerpt:

Steven Spielvogel, a lanky 40-year-old lawyer who, with his angular looks and jet black hair, resembles Ric Ocasek of the 1980s band the Cars, has been on something of a tour of his own.

He has been promoting a network that connects small law firms around the country and the world. The idea is to give the better small law firms a way to compete with the big national and global firms.

Since starting the International Network of Boutique Law Firms, in 2004, Mr. Spielvogel has been knocking on doors and setting up lunches to persuade the lawyers at small firms with prestigious résumés to start a local chapter

“The network is designed to supplement pre-existing legal relationships,” he said. “It’s not about paying a fee to get listed in a directory: the standards are very rigorous and you can feel a certain level of comfort.”

The network so far has 250 law firms as members, and 16 international strategic partners, including Bolivia’s oldest law firm and Mexico’s oldest and largest firm.

BGS