Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/7694
ILTA White Paper The Business of Law 24 A lthough surveys of corporate counsel have noted the need to control costs for a while, that need now tops their list of priorities for the first time in three years. Large numbers of corporate counsel are also reporting that the majority of their law firms have not taken seriously their suggestions to increase the value of their services, and some outside counsel have provided feedback indicating that services value has actually declined. This lack of responsiveness by law firms is prompting in-house counsel to take bolder action to drive efficiency through value-based strategies and the utilization of online matter management systems, which can evaluate law firm performance. While many lawyers continue to debate whether corporate counsel will actually go forward with these plans, some firms have recognized that gaining a sustainable competitive advantage requires a better understanding of their costs of production and a more collaborative service delivery model. Given the growing number of case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of Lean and Six Sigma concepts in service industries, law firms should investigate how the lann wasson husch blackwell sanders llP Lean Six Sigma: Mastering the Art of Service Delivery