Are You In or Out? In-House vs. Outside Counsel

Increasing regulation and legal pressure on companies have led to ballooning legal fees. Some small and mid-size companies who have hired in-house counsel have found advantages beyond controlling costs. This report examines the advantages and disadvantages of both in-house and outside counsel. It also gives pointers on keeping outside legal bills manageable, including the following danger signs that a company is overpaying for its outside counsel:

Senior partners work on routine matters that could be handled by associates

• “Learning curve” items where an attorney charges you for his education
• Drafting documents
• Legal research
• Travel time and expenses