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CCCA_V6No3_Dept-Performance-FIN_CCCA_V5No3_Dept-Performance 9/18/12 11:50 AM Page 9 Performance in the Law Department “ More and more organizations In cases like banks and is not hourly-based. A network of relation- spend tens of millions on insurance companies, the ships with law firms must be actively man- because they underpin the trust that the ” files are not channelled aged if alliance and partnering arrange- external counsel each year. through the legal depart- ments are to endure. Doing so proficiently constitutes an important core competency ment. It is essential that protocols underpinning alliance and part- than it has been in recent years. law firms must have if the relationship business units support the principles and for senior in-house counsel, much more so with Pfizer is to work over the long term. nering arrangements for legal services. Otherwise, the fee will be viewed as a cap The largest legal departments designate Richard G. Stock, with no upside when in fact it is possible one of their members to oversee innovative M.A., FCIS, to be paid more than the annual fee when arrangements with law firms. Procurement CMC is a partner results are exceptional. departments and RFPs can help with data with Catalyst analysis and tracking. But only the legal Consulting. The Active management department can oversee file allocation and firm has been desig- More and more organizations spend tens maintain lasting relationships with pre- nated the Preferred of millions on external counsel each year. ferred law firms. Doing this across Provider for Legal Department Consulting They do so globally and in multiple juris- provinces, states and countries requires a by the Canadian Corporate Counsel dictions. Firms can receive work from permanent investment in people and sys- Association. Richard can be reached at (416) many individuals within the company. tems, especially when the fee arrangement 367-4447 or at rstock@catalystlegal.com. Is your Corporation under attack on the internet? Your corporation’s reputation can be destroyed in nanoseconds. You need a specialist who can act quickly and authoritatively. Contact David A. Potts. He has conducted Defamation and Cyberlibel cases for over 30 years and authored a text entitled, “Cyberlibel: Information Warfare in the 21 Century?” As a frequent advisor to senior In-house Counsel, David st understands the importance and fragility of Corporate Reputation. Cost Effective. Always Available. www.cyberlibel.com email. dpotts@cyberlibel.com AUTOMNE 2012 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 9