Building and maintaining relationships with law firms can be challenging for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the inherent tension in the fact that they are both “partners” and “suppliers.” How can corporate legal departments (CLDs) build trust and communication with law firms without forgetting that, at the end of the day, it’s all business?

In some countries, it’s not uncommon to view law firms as suppliers rather than “partners.” That doesn’t necessarily mean treating people poorly or being dismissive of their concerns. However, the law firm has a specific role, and that is to perform work for the client. Establishing this mentality doesn’t require explicitly saying anything. Rather, there is an unspoken understanding based on history that firms are replaceable and must remain competitive—including on price—or they will receive less work and eventually be phased out altogether.