After landing a big client, some attorneys are so caught up in the excitement that they ignore the fine print. An attorney would never counsel a client to enter into an agreement without understanding all of the terms, but some attorneys jump head first into a new client relationship without fully appreciating the client’s expectations and requirements for the representation.

In particular, it is becoming more common for clients to require that their lawyers adhere to “outside counsel guidelines.” Such guidelines can address a wide range of issues intended to manage costs and create uniform policies and procedures. Standard guidelines can be very reasonable and can help attorneys understand and meet client expectations.