In the recent In-House Connect webinar, “Maximizing Resources for Efficiency and Cost Savings”, Chris Sweet, Director of Client and Attorney Success at Outside GC (OGC), and Virginia Griffith, a seasoned sales leader with over 25 years in the legal services industry, shared expert insights on optimizing legal department resources. Moderated by Shai Mehani, the session delivered actionable strategies tailored to help legal professionals streamline operations and reduce costs without sacrificing service quality.
Here are the top five takeaways from the webinar:
1. Building Diverse Skill Sets in Legal Operations
Chris Sweet underscored the significance of incorporating a range of skill sets within legal operations teams. Professionals with expertise in operations, process improvement, project management, technology implementation, and data analysis are essential to driving efficiency. A team composed of diverse backgrounds can contribute more strategically and anticipate future trends, ultimately creating a more effective and well-rounded legal operations department.
- Leveraging External Consultants
Virginia Griffith advocated for utilizing external consultants when internal legal departments face resource constraints. These consultants, often with backgrounds in law, paralegal work, or finance, provide flexibility and specialized expertise, helping to relieve internal pressures. By engaging external professionals, legal departments can address urgent needs efficiently without overloading their existing staff.
- Adopting a Structured Approach to Legal Work
Chris Sweet introduced a structured framework for managing legal work through the “measure, monitor, manage, and meet” methodology. By applying legal project management practices and strategic pricing models, legal teams can ensure that tasks are completed on time and within budget. This structured approach enhances operational efficiency and provides clear accountability across all stages of the project lifecycle.
- Forming Effective Partnerships with Law Firms
Both Chris Sweet and Virginia Griffith highlighted the importance of developing strong partnerships with external law firms. Sweet emphasized the value of leveraging the firms’ strategic pricing tools and competitive intelligence, while Griffith stressed the need for transparent communication about work expectations and billing practices. These collaborations can lead to significant cost savings and increased operational efficiency for legal departments.
- Utilizing Technology for Legal Operations
Chris Sweet advised legal professionals to be judicious when adopting new technology, cautioning against blindly following the latest trends. Instead, he recommended that informed stakeholders assess technological needs thoroughly. Tools such as e-billing systems, which provide enhanced analytics and visibility, and document management systems for knowledge sharing and governance, were recommended to streamline workflows and support data-driven decision-making.
Missed The Session? You can watch it now via IHC On-Demand!
