Rule of thumb? Five percent of external spend goes to vendors other than law firms?

This was the result of a study at a bank’s law department. At a consumer goods company, the ratio came in around that figure. At an aerospace company, the number came in about five percent of total outside spend (not including patent and trademark filing and annuity expenses).

The vendors typically include forensic experts, litigation support providers, temporary staff agencies, executive search firms, transcript reporters, expert witnesses, and copy services.