In a previous column, I warned Big Law: Your clients just aren't that into you. Noting that in an era where corporate law departments are being asked to do more, law firms risk alienating their client base if they are not responsive to client needs and concerns.

How can law firms adequately develop a value proposition that meets, or better yet, exceeds the expectations of their law department clients? Step one. Ask them.

It may seem extraordinarily obvious, but many firms aren't taking this simple first step. One third of respondents to ALM Intelligence's Law Firm Leaders survey reported that their firm does not have a formal client feedback program.