Small law firms have found a way to compete with larger law firms by creating alliances and pooling their resources together. The networks, facilitated by technology, allow lawyers to refer clients to other firms across the country and around the world where jurisdictions differ. The alliances, lawyers say, are a good alternative to mergers because they are less costly and avoid the problem of conflict of interest that may arise when firms merge.
See "Small Law Firms Find Way to Compete With Giants", Jonathan D. Glater, The New York Times, June 7, 2001