Dispute Settlement Counsel

“We seek out lawyers that are practical in their approach, efficient in their time and billing and are trustworthy.”

“Nothing highlights a cost like an unexpected surprise.”

“At the end of the day, choosing and working with outside lawyers is all about relationships and trust.”

These were some of the insights offered by a panel of in-house counsel from several area corporations shared some of their insights on what they look for in hiring outside counsel. The panel was part of a Breakfast Series hosted by Massachusetts Lawyers’ Weekly held in Boston at the Omni Parker House yesterday (May 8 2009). Corporate counsel were invited to share their thoughts on marketing legal services, fees and what ultimately gets lawyers hired, or replaced.

In response to the economic downturn, but also indicative of a shifting ground, in-house counsel were clearly signaling that lawyers need to be more responsive to the changing landscape of the business community. These business voices also reflected a desire, in most situations, for lawyers to approach disputes as problem solvers. They also signaled that the old models and practices of runaway billable hours and inefficient dispute resolution are quickly becoming outdated. They noted that their companies seek out the value proposition lawyers can offer.   

Also telling was one counsel’s comment that one thing that makes high legal costs upsetting and noticeable is when those costs or the reason for the high fees was an unexpected surprise. It was a clear indication that businesses want legal services and their costs to be predictable and the dispute resolution process to be one that doesn’t result in surprises. That’s a great testimonial for the value of utilizing non-adversarial alternatives to litigation, like mediation or collaborative law.

All in all, the messages were welcome ones as they resonate with the approaches taken by our Center for Dispute Resolution and the way we work with our clients to resolve disputes. These observations of corporate counsel confirmed that our philosophy is consistent with the shift in outlook and with that the changing practices of the business community, in this era of “the Great Correction”.

Lawyers need to be responsive to the needs of our business clients. Our clients are telling us that we must be more efficient, less costly and that relationships – both those between business associates and strategic partners as well as those between business clients and their lawyers – are based on trust, and based on shared interests.

Shared interests. Efficiency and practicality. Trust. Control over the process and the outcome. Amen!

These are all ideas and values that are built into both the philosophy and the practices of the Zeytoonian Center. It’s great to hear in-house counsel validating our instincts and beliefs