The financial collapse of 2008-2009 caused in-house lawyers to focus on cost control and expense reduction, and to demonstrate with metrics achievement of their commitments. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 intensified that focus in new ways. We see renewed calls for greater value and a growing resistance to time-based billing as the exclusive tool for measuring value.

In addition to that renewed financial focus, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for enhanced flexibility and agility in the law department, logistics and management of resources on behalf of its company.