I didn’t think availability of the partner was such a big deal for in-house counsel

One of the panelists at the IBA annual conference this week showed the results of a survey of what law departments in Latin America want from their law firms. Norm Clarke, the speaker, showed that “unavailability of partners” was the key factor in client satisfaction. Partner inaccessibility may be a constant concern or irritant south of the border, but it is not particularly high on lists of general counsel in the United States. Diligent partners keep themselves in touch.

Incidentally, Norm’s surveys have shown very high levels of satisfaction by clients with their outside counsel. On both sides of the border this holds true.