In the beginning of 2012, Microsoft reduced its stable of approximately 25 law firms handling its global portfolio of real estate transactions in 68 countries to one. The change streamlined the company’s legal operations while enhancing its work product and reducing its costs. It also showcased the philosophical alignment of Microsoft’s procurement professionals with its law department leaders.
“The impression that in-house lawyers are chiefly concerned with quality while procurement is concerned about cost and rates is incorrect,” says Ethan Patashnik, the senior procurement manager for business and operations solutions in the office of general counsel at Microsoft. Patashnik’s role is more influential than ever before as the dynamics of purchasing legal and professional services changes in a down market.
