getting the most from your OUTSIDE COUNSEL GUIDELINES
IP teams are increasingly relying on outside counsel guidelines to enforce billing rules and drive compliance with operational requirements.
On paper, outside counsel guidelines should be the missing link needed to facilitate cost control and communication between IP teams and their firms.
In reality, a significant amount of effort is spent developing guidelines, but compliance is far from certain, and frustrations frequently run high.
how do we turn things around?
complexity hinders compliance
In a 2021 Aderant survey of law firms, more than two-thirds of respondents reported that only a small percentage of their attorneys knew what the guidelines for their matters were.
When asked why, firms said guidelines are too long and too complex, and they aren’t notified of updates on a timely basis.
5 Tips For Outside Counsel Guideline Success
- If you aren’t using outside counsel guidelines, you should start ASAP!
- Keep them simple, this will improve compliance and save time and money
- Meet with your firms to ensure they understand the guidelines
- Leverage technology to automate guideline compliance
- Regularly review, update and communicate guidelines to firms
Key Takeaways
Firms are bombarded every week with different guidelines in different formats with different expectations and obligations from different clients. The harder yours are to comply with, the less successful they will be.
Work with your firms to create a clearly communicated framework that meets your expectations and enables your firms to meet their obligations. If you can both find common ground, the likelihood of success increases substantially.
Disclaimer
This post is strictly informational and is not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as financial or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice regarding intellectual property matters.
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