More proof that efficiency will matter to in-house lawyers who hire law firms.
“Mobile phone operator O2 has instituted a radical new initiative in its legal department, which will include slashing its current panel of 38 law firms by two-thirds. … The litigation and mediation group of O2 is studying previous O2 disputes to assess whether they were resolved effectively and economically. The group will study when outside counsel were engaged and whether the case could have been settled earlier than it was.”
The story is just another brick in the wall that is being built, perhaps slowly, but surely. Companies that hire law firms are going to look for efficiency. And it will be interesting to see who is around after the shakeout. [Ernie the Attorney]