Last week, Legal Marketing Association held a panel discussion entitled “Reality Check for Law Firms,” during which in-house counsel from MetLife, Elizabeth Arden Inc., and Coby Electronics Corporation “dished on the good, the bad, and the ugly of doing business with outside lawyers and firms.” These “billing preferences, pet peeves, and what makes for a sound in-house/outside counsel match” included the following:

• Good project management and no budget surprises
• On time billing so they can be evaluated for context
• Billing appropriate number of office conferences
• Not loading associates on matters
• Effective monitoring of associates and not billing for educating them
• Law firm responsiveness regarding client billing concerns
• Giving 100% effort even on flat fee arrangements
• Respect, personality fit, and willingness to partner with client

Whether you are in-house counsel, a small business owner or an individual, you should expect the same respect, competence, and value as these big companies.  Anything less is simply unacceptable.

You’ve got options.  The Center for Legal Practice Reform can help you navigate the attorney/client relationship and level the playing field.  Call LPR today for a free consultation – (301) 351-7970.