The future is bright for small and midsize firms.

Walker Clark interviews and surveys of more than 1,000 in-house lawyers in major international companies have established that there is a bright future for excellent law firms of any size, especially in the emerging economies of Asia, eastern Europe, Latin American and Africa.  Our research consistently identifies four characteristics that are decisive in the decision to select a law firm for strategically important legal work:

• Understanding of the client's business objectives
• Availability of expert partners
• Responsiveness
• Ability to guide the client through the business and regulatory environments of the law firm's home jurisdiction

We also see, almost every week, small and midsize firms winning new clients and new work in competitions against some of the best-known large law firms in the world. 

How do they do it?

To be successful in this tough new legal market, small and midsize law firms need focus, intellectual rigor, and -- above all -- a well-informed, realistic plan.  They need to make a convincing business case why a sophisticated multinational client should entrust some of its most important cross-border work to them, rather than to a better-known, larger global firm. 

This is where Walker Clark can help.

Why Walker Clark should be your firm's strategic advisor

Walker Clark members have advised and worked with more small and midsize law firms in more countries than any other legal management consultancy.  We understand emerging legal markets and the new challenges posed by competition that is qualitatively and quantitatively different from anything that most of the leading local firms have every experienced.  We can help you to "think big," but also to make sure that your strategic decisions are well-grounded in hard business facts.

Here are a few of our most popular strategic marketing services to small and midsize law firms.  All of these services are delivered for a fixed fee, which includes all expenses.  Click on one of these links to learn more.

• Marketing strategy

We can help you to develop and execute a fact-based, realistic strategy to improve marketing and business development in your firm, win new clients, and gain new and more profitable work from your existing clients. We can also help you to implement critical strategies such as:

• Improving your firm's position and reputation in your local and national legal markets
• Establishing a compelling business case why clients should pick your firm, rather than one of your larger competitors
• Getting the best return on your investment in international organizations and law firm networks
• Earning a stronger rating in international legal directories
• Developing productive strategic relationships with leading firms in global commercial center
• Enhancing the reputation and effectiveness of your partners in working with clients

• Marketing and Sales Skills for Lawyers

One of the components of our Core Business Skills Curriculum, Marketing and Sales Skills for Lawyers provides the basic concepts, skills, and tools that junior lawyers need to prepare to become fully productive partners.  It is designed primarily for associates who are within three years of partnership.  However, firms frequently include younger lawyers, non-lawyer fee earners, and even support staff in the program.  Like all Core Business Skills programs, Marketing and Sales Skills for Lawyers is custom-designed for each firm.  Every lawyer can be good at marketing.  Marketing and Sales Skills for Lawyers helps each lawyer to understand how.

• Marketing Leadership

Marketing Leadership is Walker Clark's "graduate course" in marketing for lawyers.  It is a six month partner-level developmental program that helps each lawyer to refine his or her natural strengths and challenges in marketing, as well as to develop and manage practice group and individual marketing plans. 

• The Global Lawyer

The Global Lawyer presents hard-edged skills and strategies -- not philosophies -- that produce business results in the international practice of law. It is designed for partners and other senior lawyers who want to improve their ability to meet the needs and expectations of foreign client and to enhance their international reputations.