Working with local counsel: An international law firm’s perspective Willibald Plesser CIS Forum Baku, 21 June To insert other ready-formatted pages: go to the insert menu/slides from files/ select ‘on-screen inserts.ppt’ Click the display button, then click the button on the right (marked with red below). Click on the slide(s) to insert then insert and close.

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.