A company's demand for legal and related advisory services
is variable. Like a weather forecast, it is predictable for a few
days. But for the long range view, more depends on simulations and
historical patterns and averages. Compared to just a few years ago,
legal forecasts have evolved from pure guesswork. They can
influence the deployment of legal resources, the allocation of
time, and preparedness for significant developments.
Yet rarely do law departments reduce to writing their forecasts
of the demand for internal and external counsel. Aside from the
annual budget and headcount data required of any department in the
company, they do not document the type, volume and relative
complexity of the work that will occupy the law department and its
external counsel for the year to come.
