Clients take law into own hands ; New demands keep firms hopping.(companies demand more from law firms)(Brief Article)

Crain's Chicago Business, January, 2002 by Slania, John T.

Clients have always expected excellent service from their outside counsel. But now, that's just the baseline. They also want lawyers to work efficiently, cut costs and understand their business. ``We expect them to spend some non-billable time with us,'' says Richard Veys, senior counsel in the Chicago office at consultancy A.

T. Kearney Inc. ``We want them to build a familiarity with our business so they can work more efficiently.'' To that end, A. T. Kearney also demands that outside firms assign the same lawyers to its projects. ``If a firm continues to turn people over, they lose the benefit of incumbency,'' Mr. Veys says. ``I'm looking for staffing continuity. I want to know who's doing the work.'' Clients also are recognizing the inefficiency in...

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