Study reveals how GC’s are cutting prices without negotiation
Clients are becoming less likely to negotiate with law firms to achieve cost savings, opting instead to simply take the work elsewhere according to a new report from Canada’s TGO Consultancy.
“Instead of hard negotiation the in-house department has found an easier and far less confronting way to realise material savings on the budget…they push work down. Work that is deemed too expensive is simply taken from one law firm and given to another that is less expensive to start with,” the report states. This can include the use of alternative providers or hiring temporary lawyers in-house.
TGO says that there are now many legal tasks that were not considered commodities a decade ago, which are now viewed that way by GC’s. There is also evidence of companies building up specialists in-house and bringing in contract lawyers as required.
Certain issues though will not be decided on price though;
the report found that GC’s choose elite law firms when cases are high-risk or sensitive. This is often to avoid questions being asked by shareholders or other parties as to the choice of law firm.
Chinese firm takes big step towards “going global”
China’s Zhong Lun Law Firm has expanded its reach in line with its “Going Global” strategy by becoming the Chinese firm with the most extensive US presence.
The firm has expanded its New York office and opened new offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, including the hire of lawyers from legacy Dacheng, which is now part of Dentons, including managing partner Xiao Ling.
The US offices will provide wide ranging services and practice groups for its clients, which include Chinese governmental agencies, corporates and individuals.
Lawyer may miss becoming a judge due to 20 cents
A lawyer in Florida may miss out on becoming a judge after paying the wrong qualifying fee for the election.
Miami-based attorney Daniel Espinosa was hoping to fulfill his life-long dream to be elected to the bench but paid $5,843.00 instead of $5,843.20. The missing 20 cents saw Espinosa’s name removed from the candidate list, leaving just the incumbent circuit judge in line for re-election.
Espinosa has asked that he can be reinstated to the list and pay the 20 cents due, but so far he has not been successful in his appeal.
