Globalaw is a worldwide network of over 4000 lawyers located in over 70 jurisdictions providing its members' clients with global solutions to their legal problems. The network continues to expand at a healthy rate as more law firms around the world increasingly find the Globalaw package fits their firms's strategy. Globalaw celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2004/5.

Globalaw has no referral fee arrangement between member firms. Fees are negotiated on an engagement basis.

Globalaw firms are independent. Most jurisdictions have one member firm although within the United States, a number of firms represent economically important areas.

Globalaw is well on track with its goal to become the leading international network of independent law firms. To achieve this, commitment and dedication are required from members and applications for membership are carefully reviewed by the membership committee. Globalaw firms are of medium size within their jurisdiction and have been between 8 and 500 lawyers. Membership fees are based on firm size.

Member firms have full-service capability offering corporate, commercial, litigation and property/real estate, plus many additional areas of expertise. The Globalaw website lists over 20 areas of specialization.

A plenary member's meeting and three regional meetings take place annually. 2007 regional meetings will be held in Tokyo, Japan, Athens, Greece and Toronto, Canada. The annual meeting will be held in Miami, USA.

An elected Board, Finance Committee, Membership and Nominating Committee and Business Development Committee ensure the network is structured and initiatives advance.

Globalaw is becoming recognised as a global legal solution provider and is working hard to establish its niche in the global legal and business community. Firms interested in joining Globalaw may complete the online questionnaire which will be considered by the Membership and Nominating Committee. The criteria for membership is rigid and potential firms can expect a visit from a Board member to discuss the needs of both the applicant firm and Globalaw. Applicants are invited and expected to attend the annual and one regional meeting throughout the year.

New member firms choose to join the Globalaw family, not a network of contact names and numbers. Fee earner exchanges and regional visits take place regularly and members are encouraged to report on these visits. Through detailed knowledge of member firm's expertise, referrals are made throughout the network with confidence.

Globalaw launched its website in October 2002. The website offers the public access to a directory of member firms. It shows prospective clients network operations, illustrated by case studies, in-house counsel narratives and descriptions of the Globalaw Business Initiatives. The private section allows members access to meeting minutes, information on events, initiative pages and contains 24/7 communication areas. The private site is being continually updated, most recently to include interactive discussion boards, a shared document site for templates and questionnaires and will include interactive deal rooms as well as an online payment facility. The site also generates the member's handbook.

There are several Globalaw Business Initiatives enabling members to service their clients worldwide in areas that have global dimensions. Initiatives assist members to harmonise the way they deal with issues that frequently arise internationally. Initiative members meet frequently by conference call and are encouraged to organise meetings to develop initiatives and meet colleagues specialising in the same areas.

An example of an initiative that has grown within the network is Plexus. It is composed of lawyers specializing in the field of energy from one Canadian member firm and three of the largest US member firms of Globalaw. Working together under the Plexus umbrella, they target large energy companies and offer unique solutions to clients in the energy sector.

Globalaw has a full-time secretariat based in Brussels providing full backup; contact details as above.

Globalaw welcomes enquiries from clients and firms. Click www.globalaw. net, learn more about us!