Legal Ops: Building a Strong Outside Counsel Management Program

Insights from Wolters Kluwer’s ELM Amplify 2024 Conference highlighted key strategies for a successful outside counsel management program. According to the panel of experts who presented at the “Paving the Path to a Mature Vendor Management Program: Collaboration, Selection, and Performance” session, securing buy-in from internal stakeholders and fostering strong relationships with outside counsel are the first steps in developing a robust program. 

New initiatives only succeed, however, when overcoming resistance and embracing change. Effective communication throughout the process fosters a sense of inclusion and engagement. At the same time, maintaining an open dialogue with external partners ensures alignment of goals and expectations, balancing organizational objectives with existing relationships. Establishing clear expectations and collaborating with leadership helps secure unified support. 

Panel selection and firm management strategies are essential for effective oversight of outside counsel. Establishing preferred law firm panels requires balancing fewer firms with the need for flexibility. Panel development must be done carefully to avoid compromising quality or limiting access to specialized expertise. Using firm scorecards and predictive analytics will ensure that decision-makers can objectively assess firm performance and simplify the selection process. 

Leveraging technology also enhances decision-making and is critical in reducing inefficiencies. Adopting centralized billing, matter tracking, and performance monitoring platforms fosters collaboration and minimizes manual processes. In addition, these platforms enhance compliance, foster fairness, and encourage transparency.

An effective outside counsel management program is dynamic, evolving to meet the organization’s changing needs. Regular evaluation, guided by feedback and firm performance metrics, ensures the program remains relevant and efficient. Such strategies enable corporate legal departments to address complex challenges and provide long-term partnerships with outside counsel.