Virtual only operations I believe will find partners to deliver the high cost of delivery face-to-face or bespoke work, and keep the high volume, low cost of delivery, process oriented work for themselves.

I just don't subscribe to the 'virtual only' model…you have to have a drop off for when work becomes more bespoke or the client elects to have that.

Technology allows the choice between online, phone or face to face and/or a mixture of all three as…and this is the important bit…the client chooses.

The drivers are not LSA, ABS etc they are economic and that means harnessing the market and that means delivering what it wants.

I think the mid market may take a big hit but I don't think it will be decimated. Damage will be self inflicted, in other words not responding to change. But the mid market will have a value and will/should position itself as the recipient of work that same firm has attracted by utilising multi engagement models. Where the client relationship begins is now even more important than where it is at. Lots of firms I deal with are building multi engagement 'platforms.'

Boutiques, yes they are happening, mainly in commercial, IP, property etc. But I am reminded of those lines,

“Where do you want to be?”
“Where noone else is yet.”
“But isn't that where everyone is headed?”

Umm

I think the middel market will be the interesting “battleground”, will it be the mid sized firms that get decimated or will some of the mid size firms through being agile out move the larger firms to grab their market?