The MSI Global Alliance Perspective

Meetings - valuable or extravagant?

The recent travel disruption in Europe has reignited the old question about the value of face-to-face meetings when technology can provide so many of the benefits, often at a fraction of the cost.

At MSI Global Alliance (www.msiglobal.org), we have some fairly strong views on this.  We are absolutely committed to the full use of technology in our business.  Our members like what we are doing in this area - and a number of our competitors have even admitted to being jealous of what we have achieved!

But whilst the use of technology is essential, hugely liberating, and a great way of improving client (or member firm) service, it must never undermine the importance that should be attached to face-to-face meetings. 

Our members seem to agree with us on this one, which is why we are running more meetings around the world than ever before in 2010, and attendance levels are high too.

I'm just relieved that we weren't running our European meeting last weekend ... but we're looking forward to Barcelona in mid May ... volcanoes permitting!

James Mendelssohn (jmendelssohn@msiglobal.org)
Chief Executive

Conflicts Force Big Law Firms to Lose Clients

An interesting article in today's 'Wall Street Journal' highlights the predicament facing many larger law firms as the level of lawsuits against banks, particularly in the US, increases in the aftermath of the recession.

In normal circumstances, ethical rules prevent law firms investigating or bringing actions against banks that they have represented in the past.  As a result, many smaller firms - who typically do not have banks as their regular clients - are beginning to win matters which require them to file cases against the banks.

In this blog in the past, we have highlighted the fact that the recession has forced many mid-sized businesses to look critically at how they buy professional services - a trend that has, on a significant number of occasions, benefitted the member firms of MSI Global Alliance (www.msiglobal.org). 

With potential conflicts further accelerating the shift towards the mid tier, there is further evidence of the gradual redefintion of the legal services market.

James Mendelssohn (jmendelssohn@msiglobal.org)
Chief Executive