How to Expand Your Global Partner Network Using IP Pilot Data

In today’s competitive landscape, building a robust global partner network is essential for law firms aiming to grow their international reach. However, recent trends reveal challenges in sustaining this growth. In 2023, the number of unique international case exchanges dropped by 13%, totaling just 1.061 million cases—the lowest since 2014. Amidst this decline, some law firms have managed to expand by leveraging data-driven strategies through IP Pilot, achieving impressive results even as the global market contracts. This article will provide insights into using IP Pilot data to grow your firm’s global partnerships strategically.

Our analysis focused on law firms that handled over 2,000 cases between 2021 and 2023, investigating how many of these cases originated from new partnerships. A “new partner” is defined as a firm that receives a case from another firm they have not collaborated with in the past years. Out of 986 firms analyzed, 105 were IP Pilot users, and they reported nearly twice as many new partnerships annually compared to non-IP Pilot users*. Although 2024 data remains pending, the upward trend for IP Pilot users in growing new partnerships is promising.

Notable growth stories illustrate how data-driven approaches can yield significant increases in new partner cases year-on-year, setting the stage for sustainable expansion.

*To avoid data dilution, we focused on established law firms rather than new ones with high growth rates. This analysis centers on firms receiving cases, where our platform is one of several approaches they may use.

Halfords IP – Australia

Halfords IP became an IP Pilot user in early 2019, and their results reflect the power of data-driven strategies. In 2021, Halfords IP cultivated 21 new partnerships, which increased by 19% to 25 partnerships in 2022. By 2023, Halfords had secured 31 new partnerships, marking a 24% year-on-year growth rate. In comparison, non-IP Pilot users showed a stable to declining trend, underscoring the strategic advantage of IP Pilot.

Potter Clarkson LLP – Great Britain

Another standout firm, Potter Clarkson LLP, joined IP Pilot in mid-2019. By 2021, they gained 30 new partnerships, followed by 32 in 2022. Their partnership growth soared in 2023, with an impressive 93.8% increase, totaling 62 new partnerships. Despite a general decline in case numbers in the UK and Australia, both of these firms achieved remarkable partnership growth—testament to the effectiveness of IP Pilot’s data-driven insights.

You can too make make informed, data-backed decisions to grow your business and expand their global networks. Here’s how IP Pilot can complement traditional growth strategies:

Traditional Ways of Growing Your Partner Network

Many firms rely on:

• Attending global conferences
• Spending on broad, untargeted advertising
• Reaching out to potential partners without full preparation

While these activities are essential, they can be costly and inefficient without the right insights.

How You can Enhance Your Business Development Strategy with IP Pilot

Adding IP Pilot to your strategy helps you:

• Attending global conferences: Use IP Pilot data to provide background on firms you’re meeting, increasing your chances of forging meaningful, lasting partnerships.
• Spending on advertising: Tailor advertising campaigns to the right audience for more cost-effective results.
• Reach out to potential partners: Focus on firms with the highest potential for mutually beneficial relationships.
• Identify high-potential markets: Target countries with demand for services in your jurisdiction.

For more on data-driven business growth, explore our business development series. By adopting IP Pilot, your firm can strengthen its approach to building and expanding a successful global partner network.

These business development guides underscore how data-driven strategies with IP Pilot can be a game-changer for law firms seeking sustainable growth and greater international partnerships.