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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

COMMUNICATION COSTS - What would happen if law firms and their clients stopped being polite and started getting real? Probably nothing that MTV would be interested in filming—but improved communication, especially when it comes to pricing, would likely do wonders for both in-house and outside counsel. It’s clear that tip-toeing around the issue isn’t working. As Law.com’s Dan Packel reports, a new report compiled by the Blickstein Group and the Legal Value Network in collaboration with software company Intapp, reveals a significant gap between pricing professionals within law firms and in-house legal operations experts over the value of technology and each side’s role in developing alternative fee agreements. But there’s no need to be discouraged by these results, Christopher Ende, chief value officer at Goulston & Storrs and an officer and board member at the LVN, said, noting that “more dialogue between buyers and sellers” would go a long way. “The word that strikes me is ‘opportunity,’” said Ende. “When you look at the questions together, certain themes emerge as both sides work with each other as partners.”