At best, it is difficult to budget for external legal fees. Needs are uncertain at the beginning of the year, and there is constant pressure to hire the best firm possible. Here are three suggestions to help you reduce your external legal spend:

1. Make firms compete for your work. My background for the last two decades was CMBDO at three AmLaw 100 law firms. All law firms have a singular goal: to eliminate all other firms from consideration, and to position their firm not as a good option or a great option or even the best option – but as the only That way, they don't have to compete for your work.