In the last few weeks we have seen the emergence of two new organisations both professing to have the solutions to the challenges that will threaten established high street practices when the new entrants begin to compete in the wake of Legal Services Act.
But are they the answer for the majority of traditional firms, or is there an alternative?
Nationwide Solicitors Alliance (NSA) was launched at the National Conveyancing Congress in September 2008.
Since then NSA has continued to develop their offering by establishing relationships with small to medium sized firms in a number of regions. They have an established group on Merseyside and are in the process of establishing groups in Surrey, Nottinghamshire and up to four groups in North & West Yorkshire.
So how do these new organisations differ?
NSA Director Steve Battarbee comments ‘’the two companies that have recently emerged do seem very similar in that they offer introductions as part of a membership package. Both refer to being exclusive with only a few firms from each area benefiting.
Where NSA differs is that it has been created by practising ‘high street ‘lawyers and we are far more inclusive.
Furthermore we are much more than just introducers of work. We are establishing groups of like-minded, forwarded thinking firms throughout the country and are providing a brand and a nationwide framework to enable this to happen.
Local groups will collaborate with each other in joint marketing initiatives setting their own budgets, developing local marketing strategies and will be largely self managed, however because they will all be marketing under the NSA brand, the brand will develop and because their internet activity will be interlinked natural internet search engine optimisation will occur giving high visibility at low cost.
From the research carried out, we believe a majority of firms have had enough of panels that seek to control them and would prefer to be part of an organization in which they have a say’’
Co-Director Tracy Thompson said “In addition to our networks we are also promoting practice development and risk management and one of our many benefits is participation in the group negotiation of PII premiums which we believe will provide significant savings. We can also provide a telecoms package which allows free telephone calls to all legal organisations through our telecoms partner which can save an average mixed practice between 25-30% on their annual telecoms bill”
She said “we believe it is actually the high street lawyer who should take control of their own destiny and not rely on others. We can make this a reality”
NSA believe that even now the window of opportunity for most practices is beginning to close and taking positive action now imperative.
They say that the only real champion of the high street solicitor will be the high street solicitor themselves but they need to take advantage of the opportunity which currently exists before it’s too late.
The NSA proposition is about collaboration and co-operation and not fees or dictated service standards.
Membership fees for a one office practice are available from an introductory cost of £150 pa.
For more information on membership options and fees see the Solicitors area.