About INBLF
The legal network for the 21st century.
INBLF — the International Network of Boutique and Independent Law Firms — exists to solve a problem every sophisticated client and every referring counsel faces: finding the right specialist, in the right jurisdiction, without having to rely on chance, reputation alone, or the referral choices of a full-service firm with its own interests in the outcome.
"We connect clients and counsel to the practitioner who has done exactly this kind of matter, in exactly this jurisdiction — at the partner level."
200+
Firms
35+
Countries
22
Years
Our Story
INBLF was founded out of a desire to provide boutique law firms with the same network of big law, allowing them to connect with firms and esteemed attorneys around the world, while still providing law firms with the best legal representation available.
Today, INBLF is network of hundreds of specialized boutique law firms in the US and Canada, and dozens of full-service, independent firms internationally. Formed more than 20 years ago, INBLF’s goal is to facilitate referrals and support to help member firms address client legal needs where they are most needed, with appreciation that the need for specialty assistance is ever expanding. The network’s participating firms are vetted to ensure that its members are highly credentialed, experienced, responsive and responsible, so that referrals can be made with speed and confidence.
Additionally, INBLF has grown into a uniquely collegial and collaborative organization across more than 50 specialties and 35 countries worldwide, where attorneys at our member law firms become friends, who are then assured that their clients will receive the expert and personal attention so crucial to satisfactory resolution of legal issues. Through a variety of local Chapter meetings, webinars, regional and global events, we find support to help navigate an increasingly complex and challenging legal environment.
INBLF is founded by Manhattan attorney Steven Spielvogel.
The Network hosts its first annual Asian summit.
The tenth meeting and Black Tie Dinner in Boston, Massachusetts.
Network launches the NextGen group to bring in more young attorneys and junior associates.
INBLF celebrates 20 years with our Black Tie Weekend in Washington, DC.
INBLF has reached more than 200 firms across 35+ countries.
200+
Member Firms
35+
Countries
50+
Practice Areas
22
Years Established
What We Stand For
Four principles that have governed how INBLF operates since its founding, and that every member firm is evaluated against.
01
Rigorous, Independent Vetting
Membership is not a subscription — it is a credential. Every firm that joins INBLF passes a structured review of practice depth, client references, professional standing, and peer reputation. We re-evaluate members periodically. A network is only as good as its weakest referral, and we have never accepted that trade-off.
02
Proffesional-Level Attention, Always
Boutique firms exist because clients deserve senior expertise on their matters, not to just sell the work and hand it off. Every INBLF member is chosen precisely because their model keeps principal practitioners in the room from day one. We do not accept firms whose structure contradicts that promise.
03
Global Reach Without Global Overhead
The largest firms in the world can cover many jurisdictions under one roof. But specialist depth in each jurisdiction is a different question. INBLF exists to connect clients and counsel to the practitioner who has done exactly this kind of matter, in exactly this jurisdiction .
04
Genuine Collaboration Across the Network
The referral relationships that make INBLF work are built on trust among member firms, not just on a shared directory. We invest in events, forums, and direct introductions so that members know one another, and so that when they refer a client to a peer firm, it is a considered recommendation, not a cold handoff.
Leadership & Governance
INBLF is governed by a small executive team and an elected board.
Our leadership brings experience from across the legal profession, as practitioners, as in-house counsel, and as network builders.
Arnold P. Lutzker
President
Washington, DC
Marcine A. Seid
Vice President
CA – Silicon Valley
Lawrence M. Friedman
Treasurer
Chicago
Charles M. Kagay
President Emeritus
CA – San Francisco
Ellisa Habbart
Secretary
DE
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you.
Reach out to our team for membership inquiries, referral questions, or general information about INBLF.
Ready to work with the network?
Whether you need to find a specialist firm for a matter across the table, or your own firm belongs in this network, reach out to us to take the next step.