1. “What Corporations Expect from their Labour Lawyers”
WSG LABOUR LAW MEETING
“What Corporations Expect from their Labour Lawyers”

2. WHAT CORPORATIONS EXPECT FROM THEIR LABOUR LAWYERS
1- TECHNICAL LEGAL EXCELLENCE
2- PERSONAL CHEMISTRY
3- ACCESS AT APPROPRIATE LEVEL
4- KNOW ME/MY BUSINESS
5- ONE FIRM APPROACH
6- GLOBAL COMPANY NEEDS GLOBAL REACH
7- FEES

3. 1- TECHNICAL LEGAL EXCELLENCE
Expected to be up to date/internet savvy/privacy
Can’t get redundancy packages wrong
Flexibility of new hires
Changing benefits - How this affects people suing you
Sued for doing more work and not being paid more?
Big acquisitions – How to integrate

4. 2- PERSONAL CHEMISTRY Be my adviser and my friend/trust
Helps us to trust your judgment
Frequent meetings in-house

5. 3- ACCESS AT APPROPRIATE LEVEL
Direct access to partner or Trusted Associate
15 minutes of senior person rather than 20 page memo through 4 associates
More rapid response/efficiency
Fewer in-house lawyers so more concentrated assistance necessary

6. 4- KNOW ME/MY BUSINESS – HOW TO ACHIEVE
Know roles within organisation
Informal courses (other issues arise) updating law
Show your availability
Share decisions
Anticipate problems/solutions
Be controversial – In-house counsel can ultimately decide. Part of Legal/Business mix
Practical advice. We have to be PRACTICAL

7. 5- ONE FIRM APPROACH No continuity in having 3 labour law firms
More economical to use small/mid size firm for labour law matters
Reorganise labour law department within big law firms?
Pfizer Legal Alliance

8. PFIZER LEGAL ALLIANCE (PLA)
1- Flat fee
2- Not only cutting cost
3- Collaborative partnership
4- Metrics & Performance review
5- Advantages

9. 6- GLOBAL COMPANY NEEDS GLOBAL REACH
Network necessary but must work and be efficent
For global work some firms tell you what to do in each country, but don’t go extra mile and say what might be better/worse
Need for advice in context of business reality

10. 7- FEES Sensitive issue - Crisis
Companies under pressure, more cost conscious
Highest part of legal budget is outside counsel
Low fees, important discount
Pfizer PLA
Need for creative alternative fee arrangements.
Cost of fees but also cost of getting dismissals wrong
Billable hour still viable?