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CCCA_V3No2_Orders-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 4/27/09 5:04 PM Page 19 A ten-point guide to controlling the costs of outside counsel RESTRAINING ORDERS by Julie Stauffer 1 Bring more work in house much of the legwork as possible, up to and including drafting a Why pay hundreds of dollars an hour for work you can sketch outline for the statement of defence. handle in house? Whenever you have the expertise and Johnson Inc. is one example.The national insurance company’s 2 manpower to tackle a legal issue yourself, DIY is usually the Stock your toolbox most cost-effective option. A corollary to handling more work in-house is equip- ping yourself with the tools to make the job easier. three-person department handles nearly all contracts and regula- In the business world, the same kind of issues come up time tory issues as well as some M&A work.“We try to do as much as and time again, whether they’re commercial complaints of a we can internally,” explains corporate counsel Regan O’Dea. certain nature, wrongful dismissal matters, or product liability Of course, some work does require the specialized knowledge issues, so don’t waste time re-inventing the wheel. Having or jurisdiction-specific insight a law firm can provide. Even so, it precedents, templates, checklists, and best practice protocols on pays to do as much of the preparation in-house as possible before hand reduces the time it takes to draft documents, conduct handing over the file. research, or plan litigation. MARK STEGEL litigate cases themselves — “you can’t be a part-time litigator and firm help you stock it. For example, rather than having an exter- If your toolbox is looking a little bare, it can pay to have a law For example, while corporate counsel at Ricoh Canada don’t nal lawyer review several similar transactions, consider asking her a good litigator at the same time,” Sutcliffe explains — they do as ÉTÉ 2009 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 19