“Deflationary billing” – a term to hearten general counsel – means hourly billing rates of law firms decline. A pipe dream, perhaps, because hourly rates are a powerful signaling device for law firms (See my post of Jan. 2, 2009: discounts might be granted obliquely; and Feb. 17, 2008: quality…
If to fix a fee for somewhat complicated legal services is too difficult, such as a major lease negotiation, perhaps law firms should explore algorithmic pricing. To stay with the example (and to indulge in some fanciful speculation), the algorithm might be $50,000 multiplied by an index for square feet…
Hourly rates increase year after year at most law firms. That does not necessarily mean that the amount the firm charges to do the same tasks increases at the same level. The firm might use lower-cost associates, write off time, use technology better, or have more skilled lawyers on the…
A recent post describes four steps the Gap Inc. is taking to stem increases in legal fees (See my post of Jan. 22, 2009: plans, smaller firms, contract lawyers and offshoring.). From writing about those four steps, four thoughts occurred to me. Each step takes time and effort and a…
Christian Liipfert wrote me about another contentious topic for outside counsel guidelines (See my post of Dec. 31, 2008: five hot buttons and a link to my article.): who owns the work product the lawyer creates? I quote from his email: “If I hire a firm to do a memo…
One of the conditions JDS Uniphase mandates for its law firms are that they submit invoices every month “and should include all fees and expenses incurred through the 15th day prior to the date of the invoice.” On that schedule, a bill dated mid-month for the preceding month must cover…
I like the no-holds-barred mandate of a guideline for outside counsel, obligingly shared with me by the general counsel of JDS Uniphase, regarding software and hardware. “We must use technology to reduce expenses. Our team relies heavily on e-rooms, SharePoint, ftp sites, etc.” Note the three technologies mentioned. E-rooms are…
On the first page of the JDS Uniphase guidelines for outside counsel gleams the distinctly un-lawyerly sentence “We hate surprises.” That dramatic and clear statement leads off two paragraphs about the utter importance of prompt and full communication between law firms and the law department (See my post of Aug.…
Many companies have a Code of Business Conduct, but until I reviewed the Guidelines For Professional Service Providers of JDS Uniphase, I had not connected such a code and a law department’s guidelines for outside counsel. The JDSU guidelines attach a copy of their Code of Business Conduct and enlist…
In 2005, Robert Half Legal published its Future Law Office report on “Client Service: Challenges and Strategies.” The report mentions on page 6 ways to measure client satisfaction. Surveys are one, face-to-face interviews are another, and “joint checklist” are a third. A joint checklist is a “customized checklist of value…