Merger offers great opportunities to small and midsize law firm, but also great risks.  The competitive nature of today's legal market, especially in emerging economies, allows almost no tolerance for a poorly conceived or ineptly executed merger. 

The business case for cultural due diligence

Most law firms do an excellent job of evaluating the business case for a merger.  They understand and can usually quantify the potential revenues and new opportunities that a merger will produce.  Unfortunately, they sometimes overlook the single most important factor in achieving a successful merger -- the cultural and organizational compatibility of the merging firms.

Walker Clark offers a unique, deep-drilling evaluation of the organizational and professional cultures of the merging firms and their potential impact on the future success of the merger.  When potential problems appear, we evaluate and quantify their financial and strategic impact on the value of the merger; but we also recommend strategies to solve them or, at least, to minimize their effects.  As part of our cultural due diligence service, we work with both firms going forward to implement our recommendations and to achieve the results that each firm expects.

When a merger has produced disappointing results

We strongly advise cultural due diligence before a merger.  However, it's never too late to search for and address cultural issues in the professional workplace.

There are more law firms today that are the product of a recent merger than at any other time in the history of the legal profession. Most of these mergers have produced disappointing results.  Client and partner departures, the inability to present a clear positive message to the market, fundamental differences in workplace culture, and the persistence of separate, mutually-inefficient systems and procedures can all weaken business performance rather than strengthen it. 

Walker Clark offers a unique Merger Business Review, which evaluates the merged firm's performance, diagnoses the most likely causes of disappointing results, and presents prioritized recommendations and supporting metrics.

Not ready for a merger?

Walker Clark applies this same hard-edged business realism to joint ventures and strategic alliances.  We offer particular expertise in international joint venture, alliances, and mergers. 

Considering a merger, joint venture, or strategic alliance for your law firm?  Contact Norman Clark by e-mail or at 1.239.466.8370 to learn how Walker Clark can help you make the right decisions.