ALFA International

ALFA International is a global network of independent law firms. Founded in 1980, ALFA International is the oldest legal network and remains one of the largest and strongest.  The ALFA organization is comprised of 132 member firms with 85 members in the United States and 47 members in Canada, Latin America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim.  The ALFA reach is a broad one.  In the United States, ALFA members maintain offices in 95 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas.

ALFA's member firms endeavor to provide their regional, national, and international clients with outstanding legal services at reasonable costs.  Member firms supplement their own expertise and resources with those of other members.  ALFA clients have the benefit of a geographically comprehensive network of exceptional law firms, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of retaining counsel in unfamiliar jurisdictions.  Clients also enjoy access to an unparalleled collection of seminars, reference materials, and other client-focused programs.

Membership is by invitation only. Candidates submit to a rigorous application and evaluation process.  ALFA member firms typically engage in broad general practices. All members are required to maintain good standing within their legal communities and to participate actively in ALFA's seminars, legal publications, and other programs. Since only one ALFA membership is granted for each metropolitan area, ALFA members view one another as partners and not competitors, pooling their resources and fully cooperating to deliver the best legal service to their clients.

ALFA lawyers participate in one or more Practice Groups.  These Practice Groups are the "heart and soul" of ALFA, conducting seminars, publishing reference materials, coordinating the pooling of resources among members, and facilitating the referral of legal work.   ALFA keeps up to date 50 state compendia for its practice groups that highlight key practice group legal issues.  CVK produces the Oregon compendia for the Insurance (Health, Life & Accident) (Property and Casualty), Transportation, Construction and Products Liability practice groups.  The compendia are not intended to provide legal advice but, hopefully, provide helpful information on existing Oregon law.  If you would like a copy or information on other ALFA programs, please contact Thomas W. Brown, Walter H. Sweek, or Jill D. Laney.

Clients and lawyers alike reap many benefits from their association with ALFA. The ALFA network enables lawyers and clients to more easily retain excellent counsel in unfamiliar jurisdictions. ALFA member firms accord referrals from other members the utmost attention since their reputations with the ALFA network are at stake. Clients also benefit from the combined resources of ALFA firms throughout the United States and the World. On virtually a daily basis, ALFA Members are assisting one another, sharing legal research, forwarding non-proprietary work product, supplying expert referrals, and simply providing a few words of wisdom from someone "who's been there before." ALFA lawyers and clients may also partake of the myriad educational opportunities provided by the organization, including on-site seminars, tele-seminars, and an array of legal reference materials. New educational programs are constantly under review and consideration.

The ALFA website at www.alfainternational.com includes a directory of member firms.  Additional information is available by contacting the Chicago headquarters at 312-642-2532.