Lawyers and Their Clients:
A Balancing Act of Understanding and Managing Expectations

Law firms are rapidly gaining an understanding about how much of a competitive advantage is achieved when they truly understand their clients' needs and align their services with those needs. But this is often easier said then done. This Web Audio Conference will be presented from a variety of perspectives -- a General Counsel of a major corporation, a partner in leading regional law firm who manages significant client relationships, and nationally known consultants from Hildebrandt International who serve both constituents (law firms and law departments).

The session will explore:

• The dynamics of the relationships between law firms and law departments
• The balancing act between the needs of the firm and its infrastructure versus the needs and infrastructure of its clients, for example:
  • Partnership structures
  • Training of younger lawyers
  • Rates and fees
    
  • Cost constraints
    
• Client-driven trends in areas such as technology, fees, outsourcing, project management, etc.
  

Moderator:

• Terri Pepper Gavulic of Hildebrandt International (co-leader of the Client Relationship & Team Development Practice)

Panelists:

• David Aronowitz, General Counsel of Scotts Miracle Gro Company
• Rees Morrison of Hildebrandt International (co-leader of the Law Department Practice)
• Joe O'Dea, partner at Saul Ewing