McKennas pilots LawNet link for one-stop shopping

CITY-BASED McKenna & Co is set to launch a national link-up with scores of regional firms.

Details are soon to be released about a new association with the 70 member firms of Lawnet.

McKennas has acted in a consultancy role for firms in the network for some time, but the new link-up will be on a more formal footing.

Partner Jon Vivian stresses the "novel development" is not a merger, but it will facilitate one-stop legal shopping for clients. "This is a demand-led initiative. It's what the clients want," he says.

It is also hoped the development will give members a competitive edge. "We will be the biggest of all the associations," says Vivian.

Details are expected to be unveiled next month. The development follows the recent merger of national firm Eversheds and City-based Jaques & Lewis, to create the second largest law firm in the UK.