ABA ruling body to vote on multi-disciplinary partnerships

The American Bar Association's (ABA) ruling house of delegates is to vote on two recommendations to allow a limited form of multi-disciplinary partnerships (MDPs), it emerged last week.At the ABA's annual meeting in New York in July, the house will vote on its MDP commission's report, which would allow MDPs but not permit non-lawyers to have control (see [2000] Gazette, 25 May, 6).

However, the commission's chairman told the Gazette that he wanted the vote delayed for at least six months.It will also vote on a New York State Bar report that recommends allowing law firms to provide non-legal services directly or through 'affiliates', prohibit non-lawyers from controlling law firms and permit law firms to contract with non-lawyers to offer legal and other professional services to the public.Also last week, the ABA launched the impressive full programme for its London sessions in July following New York.

There will be 98 events, many featuring a star-studded list of legal talent from both sides of the Atlantic.

The US participants include four US Supreme Court justices and Attorney General Janet Reno.See Focus, page 30.

Neil Rose