How to make reciprocity work for your IP law practice

How often do you get inbound work in return from foreign associates you work with? “We will be in touch when we have a case in your country. We look forward to working together in the future,” they might say. Even after months, you may not hear back from them.

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This is the sad reality of reciprocity for many IP law firms. That’s why it’s important to use reciprocity effectively, ensuring it actually results in inbound work for your practice. Let’s explore proven strategies that will help make reciprocity truly effective for your IP practice.

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Schedule a free reciprocity consultation video call to discover how you can turn your outbound work into more inbound opportunities for your IP law practice.

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Why does reciprocity matter for IP attorneys?

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When you send outbound IP cases to foreign associates, you create an opportunity for them to send cases back to you. This simple principle “reciprocity in international IP work” turns a one-way relationship into a balanced, long-term partnership.

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Why does it matter?

• Build stronger partnerships with foreign associates
• Receive more inbound IP cases for your practice
• Create sustainable client relationships that benefit both sides

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Reciprocity is one of the simplest and cost-efficient ways to grow your IP law practice, turning existing work into new opportunities.

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But here’s the challenge: asking for reciprocity doesn’t always work.

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Foreign associates may agree, but then forget, or you never know when they actually have opportunities for you.

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So, how can you make your reciprocity strategy actually work?

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How to make reciprocity actually work?

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Data driven platforms like WeCrest now aim to help IP law firms turn their outbound cases into real inbound opportunities, so that international collaborations can become more predictable rather than purely hopeful.

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Here’s how:

1. See who needs your help right now
   WeCrest shows you which international firms have recent Madrid and Hague refusals in your jurisdiction. So you know exactly who is looking for a local IP attorney right now. At the same time, it helps you identify which firms face the most refusals in your jurisdiction, helping you direct outreach where reciprocity is most likely to work.
   
   
2. Highlight your outbound work
   Reach out to these firms, mentioning the outbound IP work you have in their country and that you need their help. Explain, in exchange, how you can help them handle their refusal cases in your jurisdiction. This positions you as a trusted partner while offering your expertise on their Madrid or Hague refusals.
   
   
3. Contact new clients in minutes
   With over 45,000 IP professionals’ contact emails in its database, WeCrest makes outreach simple. Its built-in emailing tools let you send personalized emails from your own email address to these key contacts in just a few clicks.
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4. Stay up to date with the latest IR refusals in your jurisdiction
   WeCrest notifies you as soon as new provisional Madrid or Hague refusal cases are received for firms you’ve been in touch with. So you can follow up at the perfect moment.
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This means you don’t just send outbound work. You bring more inbound work in.

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The result? A win-win situation where your clients get the support they need abroad, and your firm grows by receiving more inbound trademark and design cases at home.

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Proven results since 2019

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Since 2019, more than 200 IP law firms worldwide have used WeCrest to expand their international client network. Reciprocity is one of the easiest and most reliable strategies they have been using to make sure outbound work also creates inbound growth. 

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The takeaway

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Reciprocity is about making sure the trademark and design work you send abroad also creates opportunities for your IP law firm at home. Too often, outbound cases disappear without anything coming back in return. With WeCrest, you can change that.

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By identifying the right foreign associates, staying connected at the right time, and keeping your outbound work visible, you turn reciprocity into a steady source of inbound growth.

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For trademark and design attorneys, this means stronger relationships, more clients, and a more balanced practice. In today’s competitive IP landscape, reciprocity is no longer optional. It's a smarter way to grow.

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Get in touch with a WeCrest consultant to discuss the optimal reciprocity strategy for your IP law firm.