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CCCA_V2No3_Dept-Technology-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No2_Dept-CourtLeg-V1.qxd 9/18/08 11:12 AM Page 15 In-House Technology of corporate legal solutions at DataCert. in about 2005, simply because clients about the work being done that prob- “Suddenly, your legal department has access required it, says accounting manager ably is being missed if you’re sending to a global platform of matter-related infor- Rodney Freake. He estimates that about 20 traditional paper-based invoices.” On mation, actions and expenses. General percent of the firm’s client base now require top of that, firms get a quicker return on counsel can instantly define their depart- e-billing. This has resulted in the firm their accounts receivable. And now that ment’s operational performance based on adopting five different e-billing systems to Bereskin & Parr has five systems in place, qualified data. That’s information that res- serve each of these clients’ requirements. Freake says the learning curve to set onates with corporate board members.” There are some advantages to the firm up e-billing with additional clients is Despite all these advantages, the main as well, Cambria points out. “Firms today levelling off. obstacle to e-billing remains For its part, Aon’s return getting outside counsel to on the investment in its adopt the e-billing system. e-billing system was less But there are ways. “I take I take the approach than six months, Cambria the approach that if you want “ says, and the company has to do work for Aon, this is that if you want to do work seen significant cost savings how you have to bill us,” says and double-digit percentage Cambria. Aon has had its e- for Aon, this is how you reductions in legal spend billing system for two years, since its implementation. and he estimates that it now have to bill us. “Corporate legal depart- processes about 90 percent of ” ments realize e-billing bene- the company’s legal spend. fits within a short amount of “Most large corporations time,” says DataCert’s Schad. won’t have to convince their “Reams of paper disappear outside counsel,” Jaar says. “They’re just are always looking for ways to differenti- from desktops. Invoices are approved more going to agree because they know there’s ate themselves from their competition. quickly. In-house counsel can focus their a lot of competition for the business.” He The ability to provide invoices in elec- efforts on practicing law instead of han- added that smaller companies may have to tronic format to your corporate cus- dling administrative tasks. And most do some convincing, but didn’t think they tomers really shows some of that commit- importantly, e-billing can save corporate should encounter too much resistance. ment and some of that value-add. legal departments money.” Bereskin & Parr, an intellectual property “It also allows you to share with your law firm in Toronto, implemented e-billing corporate client a level of understanding Alison Arnot is a writer based in Ottawa. 10343-STG-CCCA3 3/28/07 9:17 AM Page 1 [ Across the street, down the block or Canada wide — our commercial team is ready for you. ] For over 100 years, legal professionals have trusted Stewart Title to provide title insurance for their commercial real estate transactions. Some of the world’s best hotels, golf courses, resorts, office towers and business centres are insured by Stewart Title. Our global reach and financial strength, combined with the expertise of our Commercial Team, enable us to handle the most complex transactions. We can facilitate specialized commercial endorsements for almost any situation. Our title insurance services provide efficient closings and fast turnaround times. With Stewart Title you can close real estate transactions with security and peace of mind. Visit www.stewart.ca to view some of our recent transactions, or call us for a quotation on your next transaction to see us in action. GETTY IMAGES 1.888.667.5151 AUTOMNE 2008 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 15 CCCA63_015.indd 1 09/19/2008 05:15:03 PM