The Value of Legal Service

Whither the dearth of AFAs?

April 14, 2019 by Steve Lauer 27,393 Comments

Despite the plethora of articles and presentations over the years, and the expressed interest (as evidenced by numerous surveys over the years) of in-house attorneys in abandoning (or, at least, reducing the prevalence of) the hourly rate, it persists.

With growth comes opportunities – perhaps even for others

February 13, 2019 by Steve Lauer 6,884 Comments

Law firms often seem bent on growth for the sake of growth. Regional firms dream of becoming national firms, while national firms wish to ascend (if that’s the right term for the change) to the ranks of “global” firms.

Value – The more it changes, the more it remains the same

January 10, 2019 by Steve Lauer 13,191 Comments

The legal profession has commenced a long-overdue discussion of “value” in respect of the legal service provided to corporate clients.

Consistency – The hobgoblin of big firms

December 22, 2018 by Steve Lauer 11,814 Comments

In the “new normal” (as it’s called) environment in which the legal profession finds itself, client attachment to law firms cannot be assumed.

Can every law firm be client-focused?

November 16, 2018 by Steve Lauer

Virtually every law firm claims to be client-focused. (Perhaps everyone does, but I try to avoid categorical statements.) Can that be true?

Litigation – destroyer of value

October 20, 2018 by Steve Lauer

Ensuring that you receive the greatest value for what you spend on legal service requires that you maximize your control of the effort.

Fee arrangements require support to work

October 11, 2018 by Steve Lauer 12,486 Comments

The ongoing debate regarding fee arrangements that eschew the hourly rate has led to an increase in such arrangements (known to many as AFAs).

Internalization is the key to sustainable, high-value fee arrangements

September 21, 2018 by Steve Lauer

The hourly rate does not create any incentive for the billing professional to perform the legal service efficiently. Indeed, the natural effect yields the opposite result, since the lawyer who takes more time to complete a task or assignment will bill more time, yielding more revenue.

To delegate or not to delegate?

August 19, 2018 by Steve Lauer

In order to realize the greatest value in legal service, the work should be performed at the most appropriate level by the most appropriate individual. Does this general rule require that all work be “downstreamed” or delegated to the most junior level?

What is value if not cost?

July 21, 2018 by Steve Lauer

When we speak of the value of a service or product, we naturally think of the cost of that service or product.

The Value of Legal Service

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