The management of progressive law firms is now studying the management and control of the quality and cost-effectiveness of legal services more carefully.

In a private law firm, the cost-effective performance of the principals and employed lawyers needs to be evaluated in light of the following:

  • the quality and timeliness of legal services provided;
  • the actual value of the client work performed (by law firm standards);
  • the client’s perception of the value of the legal services; and
  • the cost of the services provided.