Why a boutique law firm

For decades, biglaw and boutique firms have existed alongside one another. In the past, boutique firms were utilized by individuals who needed an attorney with niche legal knowledge, while companies often preferred the wide array of knowledge and payment models offered by biglaw firms.

For some international enterprises, the ubiquity of biglaw firms was also a factor—having access to firms around the country or world can come in handy. However, in recent years more and more companies have moved away from biglaw firms. Many business overpay for services from biglaw firms they rarely end up using, making the lower cost of boutique firms attractive.

Additionally, the internet has made it increasingly easy for boutique firms to handle non-local casework for clients, eliminating one of the larger restrictions for boutique clients. Many companies are also concerned by the lack of niche legal knowledge possessed by biglaw firms. An important difference between a boutique law firm and the BigLaw major law firms is that the boutique firm focuses on few areas of the law while the major law firms focus on many areas of the law.

Midsized and large law firms are structured in a way as to provide their clients with a wide range of legal services. A boutique law firm , on the other hand, does not offer a wide range of legal services.

They have a specific and narrow focus but will purport to be the best and the experts in that area. Their law firm operations are designed to serve clients strictly within their niche and nothing else. Boutique firm clients benefit by working with them as they can work with an attorney expert in his or her domain and deal with a firm entirely dedicated to this area.

Working for a boutique law firm will have similarities with megafirms but also differences. In other words, a boutique firm offers specialized legal services by lawyers and attorneys experts in their fields and typically having worked for megafirms themselves. Very often, a boutique firm is small in size ranging between 5 to 30 attorneys and focuses on one or few areas of the law.

Just like boutique law firms, boutique law firm clients have a few characteristics making them easier to identify. A full-service law firm is a law firm able to offer its clients high-quality legal services in many areas of the law.

A full-service law firm has the ability to accept matters in many areas of the law and assign the right attorney to the task. If the matter requires legal expertise in different areas of the law, they have the ability to assemble a team of attorneys having the right skills and competence to handle the matter.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign in. Log into your account. Privacy Policy. Password recovery. Forgot your password? Get help. By Editorial Staff. November 29, What is a boutique law firm? But what is spurring the increasing interest in boutique law firms vs.

Big Law? Could a smaller, boutique law firm be a good fit for your future? What is a boutique law firm? The definition of a boutique law firm varies. However, a boutique law firm is typically a small law firm of under 20 attorneys.

In addition to being small in size, boutique firms usually offer legal services in select or niche practice areas. According to Willie Peacock, Esq. Their names say it all: The most obvious difference between Big Law and boutique law firms comes down to size. Boutique firms are smaller and more specialized. Big Law firms are larger in terms of the number of employees and lawyers, and in the wide array of legal services they offer.

The goal of young attorneys used to be straightforward: Finish law school and land a role at a Big Law firm. While working for a Big Law firm still carries a certain amount of prestige, for some attorneys, the benefits of working in a boutique law firm outweigh the thrill of a Big Law business card.

Here are a few:. Are you passionate about and do exceptional work in a certain area of the law? If so, choosing a legal niche and working at a boutique law firm in that area can bring you great satisfaction and opportunities to develop and grow your career.

Moreover, smaller boutique firms generally have more flexibility with what they charge. This means you could offer alternative fee structures when it comes to law firm pricing. Read more about pricing and payment models for small law firms with this guide to effective small law firm management. As mentioned, one of the big differences between Big Law and boutique firms is that boutique firms tend to be more selective when taking on clients.