The in-house lawyers' survey 2018 is open. If you're an in-house lawyer, fill in the form and spill the beans on the firms that have been getting things right and those that haven't.
In last year's survey, in-house lawyers were asked to identify what they considered the most important factor when instructing a firm. Quality of advice came top, followed by commercial awareness, fees, customer service and relationships. Lawyers can at least take comfort in the fact that more value is placed on their skill and diligence than their willingness to take a bath on their bills or cosy up to clients.
In-house lawyers were also asked to provide comments about the lawyers they instruct. One respondent complained that an associate at a city firm "had the confidence and commercial acumen of a hamster". Another in-house lawyer criticised a Dubai lawyer for his inappropriate attempt to build a client relationship by offering prostitutes. The respondent claimed he "declined politely".
But it wasn't all bad. One client praised Hogan Lovells for a trip to Lee Valley's white water rafting centre for some bonding. HogLove showed guts with its choice. Not every firm would invite clients to dress up in a tight wetsuit to be hurled around whilst slapped in the face with a wayward oar, all in the name of bus dev.
One in-house client said BLP lawyers "really know their stuff", adding that they would happily "have a pint with them after a late night working which tells you all you need to know". Another respondent heaped praise on a partner and associate at one firm who sent a massive pack of goodies to a child with cancer, who was known to the client. The lawyers personalised the pack, and invited the child to the office when she was better. The client said that this wasn't done as "marketing" but simply because the lawyers were "being human".
Tip Off ROF
In last year's survey, in-house lawyers were asked to identify what they considered the most important factor when instructing a firm. Quality of advice came top, followed by commercial awareness, fees, customer service and relationships. Lawyers can at least take comfort in the fact that more value is placed on their skill and diligence than their willingness to take a bath on their bills or cosy up to clients.
In-house lawyers were also asked to provide comments about the lawyers they instruct. One respondent complained that an associate at a city firm "had the confidence and commercial acumen of a hamster". Another in-house lawyer criticised a Dubai lawyer for his inappropriate attempt to build a client relationship by offering prostitutes. The respondent claimed he "declined politely".
But it wasn't all bad. One client praised Hogan Lovells for a trip to Lee Valley's white water rafting centre for some bonding. HogLove showed guts with its choice. Not every firm would invite clients to dress up in a tight wetsuit to be hurled around whilst slapped in the face with a wayward oar, all in the name of bus dev.
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"I don't care if you're aquaphobic, get in that raft and network" |
One in-house client said BLP lawyers "really know their stuff", adding that they would happily "have a pint with them after a late night working which tells you all you need to know". Another respondent heaped praise on a partner and associate at one firm who sent a massive pack of goodies to a child with cancer, who was known to the client. The lawyers personalised the pack, and invited the child to the office when she was better. The client said that this wasn't done as "marketing" but simply because the lawyers were "being human".