Say goodbye to protracted rate negotiations.

You can also skip the mandatory rate cuts, RFPs, elaborate reporting protocols, stringent oversight, and micromanagement — all of which are the typical reaction to cost control. The days of draconian cost management are over for now.

“I have complete confidence the cost will be right when I know they (outside counsel) are doing the right thing. It’s about their approach and total cost — not rates.” Deputy General Counsel, Innovative High-Tech Company

The ultimate control mechanism lies in something far more nebulous. 87% of corporate counsel tell us trust in outside counsel’s approach and communication equals the best cost control. This is over and above trust in the legal work — it’s about doing excellent work for the right value.

This trust is hard earned — through behavior. These behaviors include:

• • Very early assessments
  • Budgets offered at matter inception
  • Full team introductions at matter start
  • Getting feedback on the budget on both dollars and timing
  • Advising clients of budget changes in near real-time
  • Relationship partners have full authority to commit the firm to rates and fees
  • Explaining any unusual invoices to clients before sending
  • Obtaining meaningful post-matter feedback

Please join me in congratulating the following 67 firms who have earned the coveted trust for cost control:

Best of the Best

Alston & Bird
Carpenter Lipps
Jones Day
Kirkland & Ellis
McGuireWoods

Leaders

Bartlit Beck
DLA Piper
Foley & Lardner
Greenberg Traurig
K&L Gates

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Carlton Fields
Fox Rothschild
Gibson Dunn
GrayRobinson
Hinshaw & Culbertson
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Jackson Lewis
Latham & Watkins

Arnold & Porter
Baker Botts
Baker Donelson
BakerHostetler
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey
Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna
Constangy
Covington
Davis+Gilbert
Dentons
Desmarais
Dinsmore
Eversheds Sutherland
Faegre Drinker
Fish & Richardson
Foley Hoag
Hartline Barger
Hogan Lovells