Tidbit: Resources for Firms Wanting to Expand Overseas

In recent years, top global law firms have been ramping up their practices in emerging markets, particularly in Dubai, China and India. For medium sized law firms, also wanting a piece of the global pie organizations such as,  International Lawyers Network, and AFLA International Globlal Network, are extremely resourceful.

Growth opportunities abroad  are not limited to large global bemoths, granted at first glance they do tend have several advantages in place: they have global networks, infrastructure in place and big budgets.

For small law firms aspiring to do business abroad, a big resource is the American Bar Association. The ABA has several divisions, the International Division and General Practice, Small Firm Division. The latter has a list serve Solosez, with well over 3000+ members and growing! While most of the members of Solosez listserv are American,  many are from United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany and Australia. Listservs and conferences at bar associations  provide ernormous opportunities to network and conduct some due diligence when considering doing business.

To find out more about Solosez, read this article by Keith B. Mclennan, partner of Miller, Turetsky Rule & McLennan.  Of course the other good starting point is becoming involved with  the foreign chambers of commerce in your neck of the woods.