Working with local counsel:An international law firm’s perspective

Willibald PlesserCIS ForumBaku, 21 June

Introduction

No fixed rules, except that

We need to agree upfront how we will work together

We need to co-operate in the best interests of the client

We need to enjoy working together as professionals

We see the selection of local counsel and working together with them as a key part of the service we offer the client

We take it very seriously because it impacts on our own credibility

Sometimes we are local counsel ourselves

How do we select local counsel (1)

Sometimes clients will have strong preferences

If pricing is important, we may be more interested in flexibility than low headline rates

We will often be wary of quotes that look too low

When we are pitching, we appreciate people who are willing to ‘share the pain’

First impressions are important (the ‘getting past the receptionist’ test)

How do we select local counsel (2)

We have a list, but it is always open to new joiners

We try to reward people who bring business to us

We try to match the right firm to the right job

We value honest. A firm will get credit if it admits

It is too busy

It doesn’t have the relevant expertise

It doesn’t have good relations with another party in the project

What do we expect from local counsel

Communication, communication, communication

Please don’t embarrass us in front of the client

Understanding that we don’t set the deadlines

The right level of senior lawyer involvement and availability

The usual good lawyer skills

Clear distillation of the local law position

Finding solutions to problems

Being pro-active; give lots of advance warning

Now tell us what we need to do better!

© Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 2007

This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide legal advice.