Law departments are facing mandates to begin operating more like a traditional business unit, which includes keeping the cost of outside legal services down. While routing all of company’s requests for law firm engagement through the GC can help to trim back unnecessary expenses, it may also present some business continuity challenges long-term.

But to be sure, some of the advantages to be gained by giving GC’s a bigger say on how and when outside counsel is approached are compelling—especially in a COVID-19 economy. During a virtual panel held in conjunction with Logikcull’s InHouse Leadership Summit earlier this month, Bon Secours Mercy Health’s director of legal operations Jenita Gillespie indicated that she had to approve any and all engagements of outside counsel within her organization.