4As extends range of member benefits by providing access to free legal consultation

The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) has announced that its members will have access to free legal advice through an alliance with several leading Malaysian legal firms.

Each member Agency will be able to consult with a lawyer about issues including guidance of intellectual property issues, advice about unfamiliar contract terms, contract review, employee matters, late payment disputes and other legal matters.

4As CEO, Khairudin Rahim, said: “When faced with a potential legal dispute, many Agencies are unsure about where they stand, or even if they are in the right. They may not know how to proceed, and what legal routes exist for them to seek justice or protect their business.”

The initial consultation will be free of charge for up to 60 minutes for the first session, after which the Agency can choose whether to proceed with the legal matter, with a fee quote from the legal firm.

“Agencies, particularly home-grown agencies, may be hesitant to see a lawyer because of the perception of high fees involved, or whether a leading lawyer will have time to see them. This latest 4As alliance overcomes this hurdle,” added Rahim.

The introduction of access to free legal consultation is the newest of nine benefits provided by the 4As to its members. This rounds up earlier benefits including subsidised entry fees for awards, partial cost reimbursements for Pitch Presentations, Salary and Charge Out Rates survey, access to IPA UK trainers and qualifications, scholarships for employee training, subsidised registration fees for training, networking, and best practice guides, enjoyed by all the 4As member agencies.