Page 11 - CCCA Magazine Spring 2014

{ LEGAL MARKETPLACE } “ Combining various approaches can create ” a fee structure that is reasonable for both in-house counsel and law frms. Creating effciencies limited to approaching fees differently — ing kept in-house. However, there will al- All of these methods can be more effec- they can also include outsourcing certain ways be a need for external counsel. And tive when not used in isolation. Combin- legal processes to non-lawyers if specifc while the approaches outlined above are ing the various approaches can create a expertise is not required. aimed at helping in-house counsel man- fee structure that is reasonable for both While it can be diffcult to fnd eff- age legal service costs, they also serve as in-house counsel and law frms. ciencies in matters that have never been a reminder to the providers that client Regardless of which methods are used, encountered, corporate counsel must be demands for value and effciency are only a cost-beneft analysis must be done to de- able to make an accurate evaluation of increasing. It must always be questioned termine the most effective approach. This the legal services being received. In any whether the work being generated on includes knowing who is staffng a fle, organization, the work being outsourced a fle brings the client value. This is the examining the hours required and ensur- can be repetitive. By having a track record most effective method to build trust and ing services are sourced appropriately. By of hours spent, a rough estimate can be ensure a successful relationship between understanding how each part of a fle is made on total cost. lawyer and client. ❚ being handled and determining the ap- The role of corporate counsel is much propriate progress, in-house counsel can more complex now than in the past. Work Milan Seres is a sole practitioner in Toronto. He create effciencies. These need not be previously outsourced is increasingly be- can be reached at milanseres@praxisdialectic.com. CANADIAN CORPORATE COUNSEL ASSOCIATION | CCCA-ACCJE.ORG 11