Naturally we are always keen to establish new relationships with overseas Associates in the hope of being appointed to represent their clients in new matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If an overseas Associate sends an e-mail\/web enquiry, please give it priority so that they receive a reply as quickly as possible on the same working day. It might be that they have sent the same enquiry to a number of firms, so in order to quickly foster a rapport with a new Associate, our aim is to impress them firstly with the speed of our reply, and secondly with the quality of our service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the enquiry relates to specific work, for example requesting a quotation, then it should first be referred to a fee-earner, according to the nature of the enquiry, who should then send the initial reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Associates<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it is an e-mail from a previously unknown firm of foreign attorneys simply sending a schedule or seeking to set up a relationship, please set up a suitable M file (if none already exists) and send a reply thanking them for getting in contact, and saying we will keep their details to hand in case any of our clients needs assistance in their country. Send a copy of our schedule, offering assistance if any of their clients needs to file in Europe or the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Far Eastern associates usually ask for a discount.\u00a0 You can offer a “special discount of 5% for all our service charges”.\u00a0 Remember to set this up in Equinox, but bear in mind that we are now operating what is effectively a different fee schedule for all associates, based on a separate dollar rate (or, where we bill in Euro, a separate Euro rate), which does not need to be tied to the local client rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n