| New York beats London on | London beats New York on |
|---|---|
| coffee | tea |
| subways | trains |
| snow removal | rain gear |
| the grid | the “knowledge” |
| Central Park | vest pocket squares |
| eat what you kill | lockstep |
What does this add up to?
Let me step back.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak at the New York State Bar Association’s “Presidential Summit.” In preparation for my remarks, I learned from my hosts that the prospect of LSA-inspired ABS type legal service provider firms coming to the left side of the pond was to the rank and file membership as garlic to vampires. Erect and pile high the regulatory barriers at the water’s edge!
My own view is that New York, and by extension US, law firms, are more than amply capable competitors to London and UK firms. You should not be surprised to read on a publication invoking the name of the godfather of capitalism that my default and preferred attitude towards competition is, “bring it on.”
We are all, US and UK-based alike, embarked on the truly grand project of extending the reach, flexibility, creativity, and even genius of Anglo-Saxon common law across the world. We are doing it in our own ways and increasingly collectively in alliance. Without doubt in my mind some of those alliances will deepen; other co-ventures may fail. Either way, competition’s anvil will enhance all our capabilities.
Bring it on.
Sorry – have to disagree – New York doesn’t even come close to “beating” London with respect to coffee. The coffee at random high street shops is better in London and the coffee options in most law firm offices in the UK far exceeds those of New York firms.
Oh, and, as regards other aspects of your piece – agreed. Firms in the UK operate much closer to the recognition that they are running businesses than those in the U.S.