Law Firm Management
Rebirth Conference of the African Bar Association (AFBA)
6 September 2016, Harare (Zimbabwe)
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Latest Trends in African Law Firm
Management (1/3)
First offices in Africa by global law firms, e.g.:
• Pinsent Masons (South Africa, 2016)
• Allen & Overy (South Africa, 2016)
• Herbert Smith Freehills (South Africa, 2015)
• DLA Piper (South Africa, 2015)
Increase in tie-up’s/alliances/associations, e.g.:
• DLA Piper (Angola, 2016)
• Multilaw (Ethiopia, 2016)
• Norton Rose Fulbright (Uganda, Burundi, Zimbabwe, 2015)
• ABLFA (2015)
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Latest Trends in African Law Firm
Management (2/3)
New service delivery models for and out of Africa:
• Imani African Lawyers on Demand (2016)
• Established operations by 1st and 2nd generation LPOs Cognia Law,
Radiant Law, Exigent, etc. in South Africa
• HoganLovells opened Business Services Centre in South Africa (2015)
• “Hybrid” advisors: Afriwise Consulting (and Afriwise Community)
(2014); Pr1merio (2013)
Lateral hiring becomes the new norm, e.g.:
• South Africa and ?
• Paris and London-based Africa Groups of international firms
• BUT: no significant increase in relevant spin-off’s (at least not in
Southern Africa)
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Latest Trends in African Law Firm
Management (3/3)
Number of legal and legal support roles increases, e.g.:
• Most larger SA firms have a Legal Project Manager
• First African legal job website established (2015)
• First dedicated training provider for business roles in law firms
established (2016)
Commercial and professional developments:
• Higher inclusion of Africa work in global panel processes
• South African Legal Practice Bill 2014 (will come into effect in 2017)
• Emergence of Corporate Counsel associations
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Challenges
• Globalisation results in a widening gap between “large” and “small”
firms (also in Africa) in terms of process and technology support,
and funding
Discussion:
What are the available strategies to close the gap
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Participation in the consolidation process?
Specialisation?
Bundling of resources/shared services?
Ad hoc/situational approach?
• Are there any commonalities/recommendations across all 54
jurisdictions?
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Thank You
Contact Details
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E: [email protected]
T: @ignazfuesgen
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