Page 45 - CCCA 247020 Magazine Spring 2016

{ legal InnovaTIon }

ness goals on time and on budget. Outside unwavering focus on you, the client. Only 2. Alignment oF interests: The traditional
counsel’s ability to listen, ask smart ques- frms who strive to understand their clients’ hourly rate fosters a non-alignment of in-
tions, and both understand and scope the needs (articulated or not) and view every- terests because it rewards frms for inef-
work in order to meet objectives before- thing through that lens can provide mean- fciencies and over-lawyering fles. Deep
hand is a true litmus test. ingful innovation to solve tricky problems, discounts on hourly rates amplify this
deliver outstanding business results and disincentive to operate effciently. Select
5. serViCe deliVerY ApproACh: As the
saying goes, if the only tool you have is make life easier. Choose a frm able to syn- a frm you trust to act in your best inter-
thesize across disciplines, and connect the est regardless of incentive structure. A
a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Choose a frm with the tools to design a dots to help you identify and pre-emptively true trusted advisor is open to alterna-
tive fee arrangements that align with your
nip problems in the bud. They should chal-
service delivery approach that matches
your needs. Are they platinum-plating lenge traditional thinking from a platform interests. Your frms should come to you
of deep legal expertise in partnership with proactively with ideas to save you money
every matter regardless of risk, or do they
work with you to understand the stakes your in-house team, adapting rapidly to while exceeding expectations on service
and business outcomes.
the evolving business world.
and your risk appetite, and staff accord-
ingly? Do they apply a “one size fts all” 3. diVersitY: Diversity within frms has 1. Commitment to help: A frm’s most vi-
solution or tailor service delivery to your been a focal point, with much work still tal quality is that they are thinking about
unique needs? Drawing from options like to be done. Diversity ensures a larger pool you even when not working on your fles.
rate triaging with alternative service pro- of legal talent and diversity of thought. They not only keep up to date with your
viders, leveraging cutting-edge technol- Teams including lawyers with a range of business and industry, proactively sharing
ogy, utilizing staff lawyers, and creating backgrounds, skills and experiences, who ideas and advice, but also consider other
repeatable solutions, such as playbooks respect and embrace differences of opin- ways to help you. They think about how
and templates, can ensure you obtain the ion, are a powerful asset to any business. to enhance your team’s in-house capabili-
right resource mix and service level. You should not only ask for diversity ties, raise your profle in the legal commu-
metrics and accomplishments to assess a nity and advance your career. Their com-
4. innoVAtion: Every frm claims to be inno- frm’s commitment to diversity, but also mitment will be to you as a person, as well
vative, so how can you separate the wheat ensure the frm you choose staffs your fles as a professional, with a desire to help you,
“ In-house counsel have two main levers to pull sel requires a thoughtful, comprehensive
from the chaff? Select a frm that has an
your team and the business succeed.
with highly qualifed and diverse teams.
Assessing and selecting external coun-
approach. Stay tuned for my next article
on law frm selection processes—what
to meet budget: salaries and external legal
works and what doesn’t! ❚
spend. For most, this means getting more out
”
of the already beleaguered in-house team, and
Offcer and an intellectual prop-
erty lawyer at McCarthy Tétrault.
hiring the most efcient law frms. Judith McKay is the Chief Client

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