It’s still a tough economic climate out there, and it’s challenging law firms to do things they never would have considered before. Alternative billing? RFPs? A season of beauty contests? They’re all on the table.

Now, add legal department consulting to the list. At least that’s what the U.K.-based firm Eversheds is doing in an effort to drum up and retain clients. “At a time when it is increasingly difficult to secure growth,” the press release says, “Eversheds has been investigating and discussing with clients their future needs, and as a result has identified a need” for consulting services.