Rival to QualitySolicitors targets corner shops and high street firms
A new legal franchise aimed at rivalling QualitySolicitors has been launched, with plans to attract 50 high street firms to team up with local corner shops to market their services.
high street shopping
Local Law is setting out to attract franchise owners from corner shops to advertise the services of a local law firm. Firms, meanwhile, will pay a fee to have their services advertised locally and regionally by a team of PR and marketing professionals.
While QualitySolicitors negotiated a deal last year with WHSmith that saw advice desks installed in branches of the retailer around the UK (7 April 2011), the Local Law model will focus predominantly on marketing.
The organisation has been in talks with nationwide convenience store chain Premier Stores for the last year but will target shops directly. It is also discussing its plans with Costcutter and Nisa.
Retailers who sign up will be paid a fee of £1,200 a year for agreeing to stock and display firms’ marketing materials in their shop. Meanwhile, law firms are being asked to pay an annual subscription of £7,500 plus VAT to join Local Law, plus a monthly PR and marketing fee of £4,950 plus VAT. That would make the total annual cost of being a Local Law firm £66,900, plus VAT of £13,380.
Local Law’s marketing brochure for law firms suggests that the fee compares favourably to an average referral fee per case of around £800.
A spokesperson for Local Law said the organisation was close to signing up its first law firm. It is aiming to attract high street and personal injury practices, and will appoint only one firm per town or per postcode in larger cities.
Local Law’s board is being finalised, while the PR and marketing side will be run by consultancy firm Xpress Outsourcing.
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Readers' comments (19)
Anonymous | 21-Nov-2012 5:33 pm
@rural bliss. I fear its you that doesn't get it. Consumer facing firms must adapt or die.
"You have to understand that the nature of a professional relationship is quite different from that of a retail relationship. ". No I don't understand that at the commodity end of the market, because it isn't so...
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Anonymous | 21-Nov-2012 5:37 pm
Are there still naive law firms who are prepared to clutch at this very expensive straw?
This is another give me your money scheme with no guarantee of results.
I do not deny we need to take law to our communities but please don't do it, you'll regret it!
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are you serious. | 21-Nov-2012 5:47 pm
No I can promise you i have nothing at all to do with QS. I am a seasoned solicitor who can see the wood for the trees thanks and I have a very successful practice.
@ rural bliss - you my friend are what is wrong with the legal profession and I truly wish you what you wish others.
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Solicitors online marketing | 21-Nov-2012 8:14 pm
We deal with law firms on a daily basis and can say that expecting any of them to join upto this scheme at those prices is a no goer. Similar to the unmanned booths of quality solicitors this is a non starter. I can just see it now.....
20 cigarettes please mr shopkeeper oh and er could you also give me a leaflet for a good divorce lawyer!
Ludicrous and yet another ill thought out idea. Solicitors can rest in their beds easy this will not threaten their existence !
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Anonymous | 22-Nov-2012 9:52 am
What the legal profession needs is more ruthless competition, especially at the lower levels.
For far too long shambolic firms have been able to survive due to a chronic lack of competition. By this I mean those firms where there's a dog in the corner, the partner's children are automatically given TCs and well meaning chaps try and advise on a range of matters that are well beyond their expertise.
QS and LL will probably kill off that kind of organisation. Personally I think that's a good thing. The firms that have been inventive enough to carve out a niche will survive - those that haven't will not be able to compete.
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Clear thinker | 23-Nov-2012 2:35 pm
It's just amazing how head in the sand some of the posters are. Can't they see how without inspirational marketing (and Local Law are universally respected as the best in the profession) solicitors are completely doomed and will be out of business. £70,000 a year is a small price to pay for cards on shop notice boards that haul in a steady stream of new work.
It's quite simple - sign up with LL now, or plan for bankruptcy.
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Rural Bliss | 23-Nov-2012 3:27 pm
"It's quite simple - sign up with LL now, or plan for bankruptcy."
No, this should read:
"It's quite simple - sign up with LL now, AND plan for bankruptcy."
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Jon Hilton | 14-Dec-2012 10:34 am
Here's an option, chaps. www.nationalsolicitors.com.
There is a need for branding and marketing in the legal profession but it doesn't need to be so damn expensive...
A national name, marketing knowledge and expertise, online know how, not overwriting a firms name & a nominal monthly cost....
In a nutshell just like working alongside a marketing firm.
If you're bored check out www.leighbailey.co.uk.
Regards
Jon
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Ricky | 6-Mar-2013 10:38 am
This article is total nonsense. Local Law is nowhere to been seen & the company doing their marketing (Express outsourcing) does not exist. Try phoning them or sending an e-mail.
Nonsense.
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