GCs must be proactive if they do not want their teams to be the latest victim of the recession, warns Julia Chain

As we likely enter the most serious recession in living memory, most general counsel (GCs) are unprepared for the impact this will have. In particular, management of external spend is back on the agenda in a major way and as we head into a difficult new year both law firms and corporate law departments will be seeking greater clarity from each other as to the nature of their relationships.