It's time for some math. Modeling math! No, don't stop reading! Most law firm pitches are heavy on the lawyers' records but leave out a crucial part of the litigation: its resolution. This article is about using analytics to pick the right counsel and demonstrate a legal department's value as a profit-generator, not a cost center. Math is a big part of that.

Every case, plaintiff or defendant, should start with a model that includes expected costs and a target resolution. There is no way to measure success, by which I mean delivering incremental value, if you haven't defined your expectations. You will also lack the tools needed to decide how much to spend, and when or if to settle.