Australia is set to have its first stab at publicly listed legal practices with the IPO of "Integrated Legal Holdings" on 12 December. The new company will roll up the assets of Perth firms Talbot Olivier, Durack Zilko and Brett Davies Lawyers with Law Central, an online advice and document provider, and a professional services division.

It will be interesting to see how they intend to merge the IT resources of the three firms and how (if at all) they plan to integrate this with the Law Central internet portal.

We would expect at least some degree of integration will be required to produce consolidated financials and ensure that cross firm conflict checks can be accomplished.

Integrated Legal Holdings state that they intend to purchase other legal practices in the states which currently allow listed law firms (NSW, WA and Vic) so it will be interesting to see whether they leave each firm to run their own IT or adopt a shared services model.


Integrated Legal Holdings
http://www.ilh.com.au/

Law Central
http://www.lawcentral.com.au

Articles on the IPO
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=128&ContentID=9400
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20560460-643,00.html

< Prev		Next >