Canadian Lawyer - sample

34 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m One survey respondent said he still uses the billable hour because "we can effectively manage external counsel billable hours and we drop inefficient lawyers." Despite the mixed results, the percentage who said more than 75 per cent of the work they send out falls under an AFA held more or less steady, at 6.3 per cent this year versus 5.9 per cent last year. Also, 78.8 per cent of respondents say they are interested in engaging with their law firms in AFAs. But of the 21.2 per cent who aren't interested, 22.5 per cent of that group admit they don't fully understand AFAs — this could be because in-house counsel haven't had the opportunity to use them in a matter and explore the possibilities. O'Reilly says his company is looking to its external service providers and asking for a budget for every matter. While 65.6 per cent choose external law firms based on spe- cific lawyers — with one respondent commenting that lawyers "need to know your stuff, [be] cost effective, but most important is the relationship . . . are you making life easier?" — O'Reilly suggests in-house departments branch out in who they hire. However, as 56.4 per cent of respondents made clear, choosing the external firm based on industry/practice area expertise is an important consideration. The remaining respondents said 40.1 per cent choose their external firms based on technical expertise and 30 per cent choose based on reputation. More than 300 law department leaders from corporations and government completed the survey. Similar to last year, 62.1 Company is in growth mode Company made acquisition One-time project 72.5 % 23.9 % 21.1 % IF THE VOLUME OF WORK IS PROJECTED TO GROW, TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THE GROWTH? 50.8 % No change 12.9 % It shrank 8.9 % We fi lled positions previously left vacant 27.4 % It grew, there is more work to be done DID THE SIZE OF YOUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT CHANGE OVER THE PAST YEAR? Isolated/one-off situation that led to higher fees Bringing more work into the legal department The business grew Sending more work out Financial Government (municipal, regional, provincial, federal, Industry/manufacturing Resource-based Technology Service Non-profit Professional services 47.8 % 19.1 % 27 % 17.5 % 20.9 % 14.9 % 4.3 % 12.2 % 11.6 % 9.9 % 7.9 % 6.9 % IF EXTERNAL SPEND CHANGED, WHY? WHAT SECTOR IS YOUR COMPANY/ORGANIZATION IN? Less than 5 6 to 15 16 to 30 31 to 50 51 to 100 More than 100 51.2 % 24.1 % 9.9 % 4 % 5.6 % 5.3 % HOW MANY LAWYERS ARE THERE IN YOUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT? and First Nations – including boards and tribunals) ASSERT DEFEND With Dimock Stratton on your team, you have a leading IP firm with the expertise and innovative thinking you need to find inspired, practical solutions. Dimock.com INTELLECTUALPROPERTY Untitled-5 1 2016-10-25 3:49 PM

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