Informal relationships between law practitioners, colloquially referred to as ‘best friends’ networks, are common in the legal industry. These relationships, often extending to include law firms, are typically exploited to enhance competitiveness on a cross-border level. Particularly significant in the realm of multi-billion dollar law firms, there is, however, some doubt as to whether these informal associations can withstand disruptive changes in markets currently under development. Such markets, of particular interest to Big Law, include the growing African legal terrain.
Late in the previous year, CMS partner Duncan Weston pointed out that the future of large-scale law in Africa likely hinges on mergers with foreign firms.
As international law giants advance in Africa, local firms are turning to independent networks in an attempt to stay competitive. Whether these networks prove effective remains a topic of debate. To read more about this development, visit the original article here.