The relationship between General Counsel and their external
advisors is key to the success of any legal project whether it be
contentious or non-contentious work.
There needs to be a mutual professional respect and
understanding from both sides and an understanding of exactly what
role each is to play in the project at hand. There is no one
size-fits-all in this regard. Sometimes the in-house counsel wants
the external lawyer to take the lead and run with a matter,
sometimes the external lawyer is more of an advisor fulfilling a
supportive 'second chair' role – a variety of factors
are at play and clarity around what the relationship will be is
crucial to success.
Winmark's Looking Glass Report 2018 produced in partnership
with Clyde & Co considered, among other things, the
internal/external relationship in the context of the changing role
of the in-house General Counsel, focusing on what, from a GC's
perspective, is driving change in the role of external counsel.
