Your incumbent firms enjoy advantages because 1) they have represented you for several years 2) in multiple matters 3) for significant fees. Those three factors define incumbency: extended time of use, large range of similar services and major amounts of fees. Many people refer to their incumbent firms as their primary firms. Most legal departments larger than five lawyers have only a handful of work-horse, incumbent firms.
The many advantages incumbent counsel have need no lengthy rehearsal. Compared to your other firms, they know more about your business, your flow of matters, your personnel, your culture, your likes and dislikes. In the dark, for the most part, are the nonincumbents, ignorant of the volume of your work, unsure about your management philosophy, unaware of corporate history, behind the eight ball. Here, let me mention four less-recognized advantages.
