This page answers common questions from clients and law firms about how WHR Alliance works. It is a practical overview, not legal advice and not a replacement for the terms we agree in writing with you.
WHR Alliance listens to your situation (country, type of matter, budget and timing) and then introduces you to one or more independent law firms in our network that are a realistic match. The engagement itself is directly between you and the law firm; we do not act as your lawyer or give legal advice.
We suggest firms that fit your needs and budget, and explain why they are suitable. You decide which firm to instruct, or whether to proceed at all. We never force you to work with a specific firm.
We ask for a realistic budget range at the start. We then look for firms that can provide proper work within that range, using fee structures that make sense for your case (fixed fees, hourly rates, retainers, etc.). If your budget and your legal need do not match, we will say so honestly.
You sign an engagement letter and pay fees directly to the law firm you choose. WHRAlliance may have separate commercial arrangements with member firms, but those are between us and the firm, not added on top of your invoice without disclosure.
We treat your enquiry as confidential and only share it with potential alliance firms to the extent necessary to see if they can help. Once you instruct a firm, that firm’s professional rules and confidentiality obligations apply. We always recommend avoiding sensitive documents until you are in direct contact with the chosen lawyer.
WHR Alliance is focused on cross-border work. Coverage depends on the firms we admit to the network and will expand over time. Typical work includes corporate, commercial, disputes, immigration, real estate and private client matters. If we cannot serve a specific country or area properly, we prefer to say so rather than pretend otherwise.
We are interested in independent firms that already handle, or want to handle, cross-border work: typically corporate, commercial, disputes and private wealth matters. Culture matters as much as size — we look for partners who care about responsiveness, clarity on fees and being easy to work with across time zones.
Yes. WHR Alliance is an alliance, not a merged law firm or franchise. Member firms keep their name, partners, management and clients. The network is a layer on top for referrals, co-counsel mandates and shared visibility in cross-border matters.
Specific referral and co-counsel arrangements are agreed directly between the firms involved, within frameworks we discuss together when you join. We favour simple, transparent structures over complex overrides.
For selected firms and qualifying cross-border matters originating through WHR Alliance, we may contribute to travel and accommodation costs when you need to be physically present in another country. As a guide, this support can be up to EUR 10,000 per month per qualifying firm, with exact terms defined in our agreement with you.
Usually we start with a conversation about your current work, client base and cross-border strategy. If there is a good fit, we agree the terms of collaboration, onboarding steps and how you will be presented in our materials. We intentionally keep the number of firms limited in each key jurisdiction.
Each law firm remains responsible for running its own conflict checks under its local rules. If a conflict arises, we may suggest another firm where possible, or step back from the matter. WHR Alliance itself does not act as counsel and does not override local professional obligations.
No. WHR Alliance is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. It is a coordination and partnership platform that connects clients with independent law firms. Any legal advice is given solely by the law firm you instruct, under its own regulatory framework.
Regulation of legal networks and referral platforms varies by country. We design our model so that the professional obligations of each member firm remain clear and unaffected. Where specific local rules apply, we expect member firms to comply fully with their regulators.
We use your data to understand your enquiry, connect you to suitable law firms and operate the alliance. Full details are set out in our Privacy Policy. We do not sell your data to unrelated third parties.
You can contact WHR Alliance directly using the details on our contact page. For anything urgent or sensitive, we recommend reaching out by email or phone and clearly indicating the time sensitivity of your matter.