Few in-house managers blithely transfer matters underway from one law firm to another, but it happens – or it ought to happen (See my post of Sept. 12, 2008: transfer matters to new counsel with 8 references.). Under various circumstances, including these eleven, switching firms midstream makes sense.
- Poor service (See my post of Feb. 19, 2007: fire law firms with 8 references and my article.).
- Unacceptable cost (See post of July 17, 2009: once you “learn the firm’s strategy”.).
- Loss of a key lawyer, who leaves the first firm
- Major change in the matter that requires difference skills or resources, such as appeal or venue that urge a change
- Conflict of interest (See my post of April 20, 2008: conflicts of interest with 24 references.).
- Convergence project (See my post of Dec. 27, 2008: additional posts on convergence with 11 references.).
- Change of management at law department and preference of new management for another partner or firm
- Merger of the law firm with another firm (See my post of May 3, 2006: mergers of law firms with 9 references.) and consequent changes in practices
- Reluctance of the firm to continue, such as when a firm drops you as a client
- Insurance carrier insists on change
- Fundamental disagreement over strategy, perhaps if the firm’s performance bonus depended on the earlier strategy (See my post of Feb. 26, 2008: bonuses can unravel if client changes strategy.).