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CCCA_V3No2_Orders-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 4/27/09 5:04 PM Page 20 Cover to create a template. Not only does this leave you equipped to handle future transactions of that nature in-house, it frees up money in your budget to have her take on more high-value work. The right technology can also speed up your work. A knowledge management system makes it easier to dig up the prece- dents you need, while contract manage- ment software can eliminate tedious cut- ting and pasting,and e-billing will stream- line your accounting work and help you track valuable information. 3 Control the flow of out- going work Are your company’s business units instructing law firms directly? Shifting responsibility to your law department may take time and political manoeuvering, but it’s an essential prerequisite to reining in the costs of outside counsel. Channelling legal outsourcing deci- sions through your department lets you monitor the work you send out — or decide if it’s more cost effective to handle it in-house. “It’s really simple,” says Quebec-based contract in-house counsel Natalie Le Natalie Le Cavalier Le Cavalier Corporate Counsel Cavalier. “You can’t control a budget if Blainville you’re not the one giving the mandate.” Reduce the number of If your legal expenses are over a certain threshold — say two million dollars, says con- 4 firms you deal with To tender, or not to tender? Chances are, a single law firm can’t meet all your legal needs. tract lawyer Natalie Le Cavalier — it may be worthwhile to issue a request for proposal Still, the fewer firms you deal with, the for legal services. The theory sounds good: having different firms compete for a block of less time you spend bringing outside work lets you select the best candidate for the job based on the price, experience, and counsel up to speed. resources they offer. For example, Johnson Inc. uses only six Tread carefully, though. Switching law firms to cut your costs can be a false economy. firms for non-claims legal work across “There’s a lot of time invested in helping the law firm understand your business,” explains Canada, and as a result, they know the Le Cavalier. “You don’t want to end up doing that every three years.” company’s business well and can focus Nor is building new relationships the only time investment required. If you decide to go their responses accordingly. “You don’t ahead, budget plenty of administrative and professional hours to prepare the RFP, man- want to be spending your time building PIERRE CHARBONEAU age the tendering process, and evaluate the responses. Decide in advance on must-have up relationships with tens and twenties of requirements and spell out the criteria you’ll use to select the successful firm. law firms,” says O’Dea. 20