1. Law Firm Management
Rebirth Conference of the African Bar Association (AFBA)
6 September 2016, Harare (Zimbabwe)

2. Latest Trends in African Law Firm Management (1/3)
First offices in Africa by global law firms, e.g.:
Pinsent Masons (South Africa, 2016)
Allen & Overy (South Africa, 2016)
Herbert Smith Freehills (South Africa, 2015)
DLA Piper (South Africa, 2015)
Increase in tie-up’s/alliances/associations, e.g.:
DLA Piper (Angola, 2016)
Multilaw (Ethiopia, 2016)
Norton Rose Fulbright (Uganda, Burundi, Zimbabwe, 2015)
ABLFA (2015)
© Avuka Training and Coaching (Pty) Ltd 2016

3. Latest Trends in African Law Firm Management (2/3)
New service delivery models for and out of Africa:
Imani African Lawyers on Demand (2016)
Established operations by 1st and 2nd generation LPOs Cognia Law, Radiant Law, Exigent, etc. in South Africa
HoganLovells opened Business Services Centre in South Africa (2015)
“Hybrid” advisors: Afriwise Consulting (and Afriwise Community) (2014); Pr1merio (2013)
Lateral hiring becomes the new norm, e.g.:
South Africa and ?
Paris and London-based Africa Groups of international firms
BUT: no significant increase in relevant spin-off’s (at least not in Southern Africa)
© Avuka Training and Coaching (Pty) Ltd 2016

4. Latest Trends in African Law Firm Management (3/3)
Number of legal and legal support roles increases, e.g.:
Most larger SA firms have a Legal Project Manager
First African legal job website established (2015)
First dedicated training provider for business roles in law firms established (2016)
Commercial and professional developments:
Higher inclusion of Africa work in global panel processes
South African Legal Practice Bill 2014 (will come into effect in 2017)
Emergence of Corporate Counsel associations
© Avuka Training and Coaching (Pty) Ltd 2016

5. Challenges
Globalisation results in a widening gap between “large” and “small” firms (also in Africa) in terms of process and technology support, and funding
Discussion:
What are the available strategies to close the gap
Participation in the consolidation process?
Specialisation?
Bundling of resources/shared services?
Ad hoc/situational approach?
Are there any commonalities/recommendations across all 54 jurisdictions?
© Avuka Training and Coaching (Pty) Ltd 2016

7. Contact Details Follow Avuka: M: +27 (60) 500 1095
avuka-training-and-coaching-pty-ltd
@avuka_training
Ignaz Fuesgen, Mag (Vie), EMBA (Minn)
Founder and Director Avuka Training and Coaching
M: +27 (60)  E:
© Avuka Training and Coaching (Pty) Ltd 2016